Off to see the surgeon

[jpattillo]

I'm off to see surgeon number one who wants to replace/repair my BAV. Lots of questions:


1. Why “fix” now? “spherical shape” per Dr. Taylor. Any other indications?
2. Surgery type: repair or replace?
3. Chances of reop if repair?
4. Chances of reop if replace (mechanical)?
5. Ross procedure?
6. Tissue valve? Why would someone my age want one?
7. Mechanical valve types? What requires least anti-coag? On-X?
8. Risks of Coumadin/Warfarin?
9. Other risks/complications of surgery and recovery?
10. Effect of valve types on athletic/endurance performance?
11. Hemodynamics: will heart net more blood per stroke after surgery?
12. Any chance I'll feel better? At rest? (don't feel bad now)
13. Root replacement?
14. Minimally invasive? Incision type?
15. Window: how soon can we do it? When is too late?
16. Number of types of surgery? On men my age?
17. Track your own long term outcomes?
18. Recovery: days in icu? When see visitors? What will they see?
19. Days in hospital?
20. Days at home?
21. Days back to work?
22. Days until sex?
23. Days to drive?
24. Days till first 5K?
25. Days until next marathon?

 

[Roberta]

Good luck! You are well prepared with your questions.

You might want to pick the top 3-5 must have questions answered.
That way you won't be disappointed if you don't get through the list this time around. I was lucky to have the surgeon's nurse answer some of my questions as well.

 

[jpattillo]

I got every single one of them answered by Dr. McGiffan at UAB.

 

[neil]

and hopefully all answered to your satisfaction

 

[soccerdad]

You won't go wrong with Dr. McGiffin. He and his crew are the best. Feel free to give me a shout.

 

[Roberta]

I got every single one of them answered by Dr. McGiffan at UAB.

That's fantastic!
Any answers that would be worth sharing that would be of help to others?

 

[jpattillo]

I'm seeing Clifton Lewis here in Birmingham on Wednesday. He can do an AVR via right anterior mini thoracotomy with a smaller incision and usually faster recovery than a mini sternotomy. Smaller scar means less risk of infection as does a shorter hospital stay.

Any thoughts about mini-thoracotomy?