New Member

[bisiegel]

Hello:

I am a new member and a candidate for MV repair and my date is Dec 7th. Since my physcian ( Glower @ Duke Univ) plans a repair and not replacement can I still hang at this site or must I move on ?

My atrium is at upper limits of normal and I dont have any a fib yet, but because of the severe regurg the plan is to repair before enlargement gets worse. I am fifty years old this month and might could wait a little more, but I have screwed-up the courage so my thinking is why not now ?

Would love to hear from any experiences at DUMC and Glower MD. The plan is a keyhole type of prodecure and annuloplasty.

Many Thanks

 

[Emma]

hello and welcome!
I'm afraid I don't have any experience of the things you mentioned, as firstly, we are in the UK and secondly, its my daughter who has the valve replacement. But i do know theres a while mix of valve patients here - both replacements and repairs so you are more than welcome whichever you have and I'm sure you will get all the advice and support you need here.
Love Emma
xxx

 

[Phyllis]

Welcome to the forum- you will find many people here who were lucky enough to get a repair as well as those who had their surgery at Duke. I'm sure they will be along soon. Put you on the calendar for December 7th and wishing you good luck.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Welcome to our world and please don't feel that a repair vs replacement is a reason to leave. Valve disease is valve disease and REPAIR is just one of the options, a very good option actually.

Several of our members have used Dr. Glower and as I recall, they all speak very highly of him. Duke is rated as the #3 Heart Hospital in the USA so you will be in a good place with experienced hands all around.

You can do a SEARCH with keyword "Glower" to find other posts mentioning his name.

Many of us (myself included) believe that SOONER is BETTER when it comes to getting your heart fixed. You already know that it needs fixing and that further delay only increases the damage that is being done. You should also know that first time surgeries in patients under age 60 have extremely good success rates (98%). That's a whole lot better than what would happen if you did nothing !

You may want to browse around in the Presurgery and Postsurgery Forums to read about others experiences and what they did to prepare. There are some very helpful lists of "what to take to the hospital" and what to have ready for your return home (a recliner is high on the list since sleeping in bed may be 'uncomfortable' for a few weeks).

MANY of our members reported that WAITING was the hardest part and the surgery was not nearly as bad as they feared. Pain management is quite good, with most reporting just some 'chest discomfort'. MUSCLE pain can be intense at times, but MASSAGE does wonders for that, even FASTER and BETTER than pain pills, with NO side effects!

Stick around, read as much as you like, and feel free to ask any questions any time.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[hensylee]

you need to hang here.

 

[Mary]

you need to hang here.

Yep,
We all HANG TOGETHER here!

Just make yourself at home and pass the time until surgery getting acquainted with everyone.

 

[bvdr]

Hi, welcome to our forum. I had my MVR at Duke by Dr. Glower. He used the heartport procedure to replace the valve. I only saw Dr. Glower once before being admitted to having the surgery. I had actually seen him for a consultation since my local cardiologist wanted to do a cutting balloon angioplasty on a couple of coronary arteries that have ostial lesions. I had known mitral stenosis with symptoms and some other valve problems from rheumatic fever. Mitral balloon valvoplasty was not available locally. I preferred to have an opinion from someone who could possibly do both so I wouldn't have to undergo two seperate procedures.

I went to see Dr. Glower since he is a valve expert and could give me a surgeon's perspective. He really felt my #1 problem was my mitral valve and sent me to see a cardiologist at Duke and have him screen me for possible mitral balloon valvoplasty. It turned out I had too much regurgitation present to have the balloon procedure and it was recommended that I proceed with having the valve replaced. From there all the arrangements were over the phone.

My experience with Dr. Glower was very positive. He has an excellent reputation and is an expert with minimally invasive techniques. Except for the initial visit the only time I saw him was during the time I was in Duke. All my follow-up has been done by my local cardiologist. That is not an uncommon arrangement with surgeons though.

My new mechanical mitral valve functions just fine.

 

[dmoses1]

Welcome

Welcome

Hi, Bisiegel:

I'm sorta new, too; but the folks here are really nice. I don't think I even have to have surgery anytime soon, but they let me hang out and comment, anyway.

Glad to have you. Stick around.

 

[Superbob]

Right Place, Right Time

Right Place, Right Time

I think you're definitely at the right place. I've been a member here less than a year but I've seen lots of discussion on repair. In fact, if you browsed through the archives, you'd probably find a bunch of them.

Welcome!

 

[joanne6]

Welcome

Welcome

Hi, I have only been on this site for 2 weeks but that is because I did not know about it. I wish I had found it before my surgery so I could have had the support of people who have gone through OHS before me.
I had minimally invasive mitral valve repair at the Univ of Maryland in Aug. It was nice not to have a sternotomy but that is the only difference between the procedure I had the the "traditional" approach. You will learn a great deal on this site and get lots of love and support. I was warmly welcomed here as a repair not replacement.
I do suggest looking at the thread about what to take to the hospital and I definitely agree with the need for a recliner.
Take care.
Joanne

 

[bisiegel]

Joanne:

Thanks for your reply. I had read about U of Maryland's program. Also, I went to see Randy Chitwood at ECU ( he does the Robotic thing ). My cardiologist at DUMC gently suggested that it was time to see the sawbones.

I haven't given any thought whatsoever into what to bring. I would like some candles to burn and maybe a video game, but I think probably I won't.

 

[bisiegel]

Rob: Thanks for the warm welcome !

 

[bisiegel]

Thank You so much ! She looks like an angel. One of my younger brothers had a open heart surgery for septal defect when he was very small and he really doesn't remember it because he was only 3 or 4 at the time and at 45 that was a long time ago.

 

[bisiegel]

Betty: I think that the one hour that I spent with Doctor Glower will probably be the longest....we had a one hour question and answer and I was well prepared ( be was better prepared ). He stated that without surgery my atrium will continue to grow and I will get a-fib fo sure...... so here we go, an early xmas present.

By the was, I went to look up mitral baloon valvuloplasty and found a medinindia site which listed various cardiac surgeries from a menu and then had a form to book and pay by credit card. The rates were very reasonable and aside from the comedy of the thing, its probably a great option for someone who needs a affordable provider.

Regards,
Barry

 

[jkn2kids]

Welcome!! This is a great place to learn everything you need to know.Whether it's presurgery,surgery or post surgery you will know everything from the people who have experienced it.

 

[BAV Pt's daughter]

Welcome!! I found this sight shortly before my mom's surgery, and have been grateful to everyone here, as I am sure you will be as well. Here you will find so many answers and so much love and support, its wonderful. Best of luck to you with your surgery... thats right up the road from me, I live just outside of Raleigh. Keep us posted!!

 

[bisiegel]

who can answer ?

who can answer ?

My surgeon says that my heart pumps 50% more blood volume as a result of my severe mitral regurgitation. I have a normal heart rate at 45-50 (family thing ). Soooo...... my heart rate isn't going any faster how is my heart pumping 50% more volume....... Wondering what the dynamics of it would be if the valve
gets fixed ? any cardiophysiologists here ? ( even amateur okay )

The whole idea for this surgery is to avoid a chronic A-Fib that I am told would be inevitable were I to not have the surgery. Its hard to get cut upon when I don't feel so terribly sick but am trying to avoid the consequences that lie ahead were nothing done at all !

And...........A-fib may still be in the picture anyway.........What would you do ??