Second surgery

[Barbara Stewart]

I am also fairly new to this board, but like so many others have found enormous amounts of information and support here.
I had my mitral valve replaced last May and I've had nothing but complications since then. Some of them heart related but not all. I had an infection in my incision that almost killed me.:
Anyway, I'm now looking for another surgeon. I'm not sure if my previous did anything wrong, but I generally had such a bad experience that I just need a change. I've talked to one surgeon here in town (I live in San Antonio) and am going to talk to another in Houston at the Texas Heart Institute. Has anyone here had any experience with the THI in Houston?
Is there also anyone here who has had a re-do? How did the recovery go the second time? My first surgery and subsequent recovery were so awful the re-do has to be better (yes?).
Any information would be greatly appreciated. Hope you all had a great beginning to the New Year. We always eat black eyed peas on New Years Day for good luck. Maybe we should have skipped the peas this year, but things could be so much worse.
Barbara

 

[joanne6]

Have no experience with redo and hope I don't but I wish you well. I see the cardiologist this week and I am anxious about the visit (just because). Just wanted you to know that I will be thinking about you and waiting to hear what you decide.

 

[Christina]

About AVR redo...

About AVR redo...

Barbara...

Happy New Year to you too, and welcome to our friendly family of valvers. I had a redo 11 days after my first AVR surgery in 8/2000, and it took me about 18 months to feel completely my old self again. I had many good days during that time but also had many bad days. I experienced extreme fatigue, mood swings and feeling irritable and had lots of crying spells. I suppose there was depression involved, which is quite common.
I also have my yearly appointment with my cardio this month (1/27) and he'll do an echo this time. He claims I don't need an echo every year. Hopefully, all will be ok. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Wishing you all the best in finding another surgeon.

 

[KristiinSD]

My cardiologist had a redo and went to Cleveland

My cardiologist had a redo and went to Cleveland

I think there is so much involved in a redo, that you would want to be extra confident that you were getting the best care possible along with the most experience.

Kristi
mitral repair 11/30/05

 

[gijanet]

Barbara...........

Barbara...........

You might try doing a search with "Texas Heart Institute." Dunno. I just tried doing it and it wouldn't take. Or if you don't get many responses, you might try a new thread under the heart forum with Texas Heart Institute in the subject line as many jsut read the subject line when they are in a hurry. I know Cleveland is supposed to be one of the best, but THI does not have a shabby reputation either. Good luck in your quest. Many hugs. J.