or-live.com

[dmoses1]

I watched several OH surgeries on or-live.com and was astonished . . . scared out of my mind . . . awed . . . fascinated , etc.

The coolest thing was the mini-sternotomy. If you can believe this--one of my biggest concerns about the prospect of OHS was the scar.

I didn't know I was vain until I started being worried about having a noticeable scar. Well, apparently, with a mini-sternotomy, the surgeon makes an incision that is only half the size of the regular one. Also, they have the option of making it on the top half or the bottom half of the sternum.

Way cool!!! Should also reduce recovery time--right?

Gimme some feedback.

 

[Cris N]

Just out of curiousity, does anyone have a link to a sternotomy approach to heart surgery webcast?

I'd kind of like to see what I went through

Cris

 

[dmoses1]

Just out of curiousity, does anyone have a link to a sternotomy approach to heart surgery webcast?

I'd kind of like to see what I went through

Cris

It's the same link as above or-live.com.

 

[Cris N]

I'll look again - all I saw when I looked was minimally invasive.

Cris

 

[Curtsmum]

The coolest thing was the mini-sternotomy. If you can believe this--one of my biggest concerns about the prospect of OHS was the scar.

I dont think the scars are all that bad but im not wearing it. Compaired to 10 years back i belive they were a lot worse?. Check out my sons scar, nothing a hairy chest wont sort out, sorry you dont have that advantage. Hope the mini one will be avalible for you, best of luck.

 

[Kate]

Hi Dawn,
I had the mini done 6 weeks ago, and the scar is small (I haven't actually measured it, but I'd say between 3 and 4 inches long). It's also very thin and my surgeon says it will virtually disappear over time, although I'm somewhat skeptical about that. Interestingly, my cardiologist said it is really only a cosmetic improvement because it "only reduces hospital stays on average by one day and healing overall by one week"! I don't know about anyone else, but one less day in the hospital and one less week with chest pain is worth a lot to me! It may not seem like much, but when you're living it, it can feel like a lifetime! Kate

 

[dmoses1]

Thanks

Thanks

Thanks, guys!!!

That sure is a cute little chest.

Okay, the kid is cute, too.

 

[BDMc]

Scars

Scars

I had my surgery 21 years ago, and have a rather long pretty noticable scar. My Uncle had open heart surgery about ten years ago, and his scar is much thinner, and less noticeable. Mine really isn't that bad either. Brian