Post-surgery annual follow up testing

[DachsieMom]

I am curious what your surgeons recommend for follow ups after AVR. My surgeon wants to see me every two years. He also planned to do a CT scan every 2 years, but I convinced him to do every 3 because I was concerned about overall radiation exposure (I was 41 at the time of surgery, 42 now - so that would be a LOT of CT scans over the next 50-60 years). What do your surgeons recommend? I have a st Jude mechanical conduit and am on coumadin. Thank you!

 

[dick0236]

Things are a lot different today than when I went thru surgery. FWIW, I've never seen my surgeon after leaving the hospital. I do see a cardiologist every year with echos done every two years. I've never had a CT scan for any reason. I self-test and self-dose my INR under the supervision of my PCP.

 

[spartangator]

Yeah, my protocol is cardio visit every year with an echo. I've not seen my surgeon since, either, nor done a CT scan. But, hey, another smart opinion from your surgeon isn't gonna hurt

 

[Paleowoman]

I haven't seen the surgeon since eight weeks post op BUT I see my cardiologist every six months with echoes every year - coming up to my next echo in a few weeks.

 

[skeptic49]

Visited my surgeon eights months post-surgery. He ordered a CT-Angio. See my cardiologist every six months but he indicated this may go to two or three year intervals if all is OK next time I see him. I would also not want a lot of CT scans.

 

[cldlhd]

I just got a ct scan for my one year follow up and an echo next week. If all is well I don't plan on having another ct scan for a few years.

 

[epstns]

Like Anne (paleogirl), I haven't seen my surgeon since the 5-week post-op visit. I do, however, see my cardio twice a year. One visit is simply an office consult to see if I note any changes or he hears anything new. The other visit includes an echo and then a consult at which we discuss the echo results. So far, so good. I just had my "almost" 5-year consult and all is as expected, and stable.

I do not mind the twice a year visits, as it gives me comfort that if anything ever does change, it will be noted sooner rather than later.

 

[Paleowoman]

I do, however, see my cardio twice a year. One visit is simply an office consult to see if I note any changes or he hears anything new. The other visit includes an echo and then a consult at which we discuss the echo results. So far, so good. I just had my "almost" 5-year consult and all is as expected, and stable.

I do not mind the twice a year visits, as it gives me comfort that if anything ever does change, it will be noted sooner rather than later.

That's exactly how it goes wih me and my cardiologist visits. My cardiologist also 'knows' me much better than the surgeon ever could so I'm really happy about the situation. I feel I'm being taken care of and that if anything changes he will be on the ball.

 

[almost_hectic]

As I understand my situation, I'll only see my surgeon again if I need any further surgery... so hopefully never! LOL

Once I had my four week follow up he released me to the care of my cardio and I'll see him for everything from here on. Basically in six months from now then once a year and echo every couple years is my understanding. If it were an option I would love to see my surgeon again. Just to be able to ask him questions and shake his hand and thank him again for changing/saving my life!