Received my surgery date today.......

[canon4me]

I will have my aortic valve replaced and my ascending aortic aneurysm repaired on June 6, 2013 at Cleveland Clinic by A. Marc Gillinov, M.D. http://my.clevelandclinic.org/staff_directory/staff_display.aspx?doctorid=2350

He graduated 1st in his medical class at Harvard Medical School so that's not doing too bad I guess The nurse told me I will be in Cleveland for twelve days! Seems like a long time. One day travel to Cleveland, three days of testing before surgery, surgery, five days post op, and three days hanging out in the hotel after I've been discharged from the hospital just to make sure everything is ok. And then flight home. I guess it is worth it knowing it is the top-rated heart clinic/hospital in the country although I realize that doesn't guarantee anything.

I still don't know what type of valve I will receive, but the nurse told me that will be negotiated with the surgeon.

 

[Jkm7]

Cleveland is ranked first most years and we've heard often of Dr. Gillinov. You've made good choices and all should go fine.

There is a certain confidence we feel when we go to the top rated institutions and I understand that as I had both my OHS at Mass General but truly there are so many very fine surgeons and Cardiac Programs in U.S., that the ratings are not always so important. Most important of all is to have confidence in the care givers you have selected to take care of you.

The 12 days does not sound that excessive considering three days of testing. That's a lot but if you have not yet had Cath or TEE, it makes sense. And, of course, they want you to be available to the hospital for a few days after discharge.

Best wishes........

 

[pellicle]

Good wishes

 

[Mom2izzy]

Received my surgery date today.......

Gillanov performed OHS on Robin Williams. If he's good enough for a bajillionaire, I would trust him!

Good luck!

 

[Rachel]

Sounds like you are in excellent hands!

12 days there does not sound like a lot to me either.

I'll be thinking of you!

Rachel

 

[njean]

Like they say, "the wait is probably the worse part of having to have OHS". But you have plenty of time to research and gain as much information on whether tissue or mechanical will be your choice. And of course, your surgeon's opinion should weigh high on your list as well. That said, you are going to one of the top hospitals in the nation for your surgery so I'm banking that you will come out with flying colours!

Good luck and keep posting your questions or concerns....we're here to offer as much support as we can.

 

[VegasBAV]

I had a consultation with Dr. Gillinov last year, and he was my first choice for my aortic valve replacement surgery in November, but then he suffered a sports injury and was unavailable that month so I went with another Cleveland Clinic surgeon. I suspect that he will recommend a tissue valve unless you are very young, but it will ultimately be your choice.

I was in Cleveland for 10 nights. I arrived on Saturday, had pre-testing on Monday, surgery on Tuesday. Five nights in the hospital. I was discharged on Sunday, spent two nights at the Intercontinental Hotel, flew home on Tuesday. I had my cardiac cath done in Las Vegas a few months before, so that might have cut down on the required pre-testing in Cleveland.

I was very pleased with my experience at the Cleveland Clinic and plan to go back whenever I need my tissue valve replaced.

 

[kfay]

I think when I had my surgery at the Mayo clinic 5 years ago I was there about that same amount of time. Most of mine was spent pre-surgery for testing and then actual hospital time, I flew out the morning after being discharged. Good luck.

 

[canon4me]

I read somewhere that in Europe when they use a On-X valve, they don't use anticoagulants, only aspirin. Cleveland told me they use an anticoagulant however. In a SHTF situation, I would always have access (my lifetime supply of aspirin) if that would get me by in an emergency. I guess we'll just have to wait and see. The reason I didn't have a cath in my hometown is that when the cardiologist does one, he may use a stent in case of a blockage and as I understand, Cleveland my have wanted a bypass done instead and it could have some bearing on the surgery in some way, so I decide to wait and let them do it.