Surgeons in Houston?

[kevin21]

Anyone heard good or otherwise about the Texas Heart Institute and its doctors Denton Cooley, Michael Duncan, James Livesay, or George Reul?

I think they are pretty good and have done tons of surgerys, like 100,000 or so.

Just wanted to know if anyone had used them or heard of them. I think Livesay and Reul specialize in valves.

I knew I liked living here for some reason....

 

[hensylee]

My nurse cousin, who came to stay with me after my bypass surgery, worked and retired from there. She has many good things to say about it. They had patients from all over the world. Patients would fly in just to use the hospital and doctors. It has a fantastic reputation, as does Methodist. Houston is well known for all of its medical facilities. I know several people who go to Houston for medical care, (besides heart) all the way from Florida.

As for the doctors, I don't know, but I expect that if they can even get on staff, they must be good.

 

[Lisa in Katy]

I had my surgery by Don Gibson at Memorial City. He trained and still practices at Methodist. He did a fantastic job and left me with a valve with no leakage, which I understand is unusual. I think that **** Vincent went to the Heart Institute. He doesn't get on here much anymore, but you might be able to send him a private message.

 

[kevin21]

I had my surgery by Don Gibson at Memorial City. He trained and still practices at Methodist. He did a fantastic job and left me with a valve with no leakage, which I understand is unusual. I think that **** Vincent went to the Heart Institute. He doesn't get on here much anymore, but you might be able to send him a private message.

Thanks Lisa!!

I'm going to meet with some of the guys at TX Ht. Inst. and see if I like them and what they have to say.

I'll be a Guinea Pig for it if there are no other takers in here!! LOL!!!

 

[catwoman]

Kevin:

A friend in Tomball had MVR (bovine) in Dec. 2002 at St. Luke's/TX Heart Institute. George Reul was her surgeon and she spoke very highly about him.

Hope this helps...

 

[kevin21]

Thanks Catwoman, and I think your movie is out in a day or two.....

 

[RickKiem]

Kevin, I had my surgery in Houston last November at Memorial Herman By Dr. Hazim Safi and his team. They have also performed an emergency MVR on my sister. I have nothing but great things to say about this team. The care post surgery was fantastic. Dr. Safi specialty is surgery on the Great Vessels. You have many great options here in Houston. good luck!

Rick

 

[medtronic of borg]

earlier post

earlier post

Some one had once posted a url to a site were you can check up on Dr. by name. Does anyone remember it?
Med

 

[davidwattsjr]

good info

good info

Kevin,

Great question and good info. I live in Longview, TX but hope to my future surgery in Houston. I'll stay tuned to this forum and watch for other recommendations on the surgeons at the Texas Heart Institute.

Did you see a cardiologist associated with THI?

I'm supposed to see Dr. James T. Willerson - the director of the THI - wondering if he's as good as some say. Partially picked him because I assumed he would work with the THI surgeons closely.

David.

 

[Nancy]

Here are several sites for info on doctors and hospitals.

http://www.healthgrades.com/

http://www.bestdoctors.com/en/default.htm

http://www.usnews.com/usnews/health/hosptl/rankings/specihqcard.htm

 

[medtronic of borg]

thank you.

thank you.

thanks Nancy!!!

Med

 

[Nancy]

You're welcome!

 

[Gnusgal]

Dr. Denton Cooley did my first two surgeries (back in 1981 and 1983). I didn't think he still practiced, but he is great. He's very highly respected in the heart community. My VR was done by his son-in-law, Dr. Charles Fraser. He's through Texas Children's. If your condidion is congenital, you can get into TCH. It is the BEST hospital to say in, if you have to stay in a hospital. They have only private rooms, a day bed so someone can stay with you, a TV and VCR in every room... I could go on and on. The best part about it is the feeling you get there. You feel like you're there to get better, not be sick.

I haven't been to St. Luke's for quite some time, but I know they have excellent doctors there as well. Houston is one of the best places to be if you've got to have heart problems. I grew up there, and still go back for my surgeries now that I live in Dallas.

 

[kevin21]

Gnusgal,

I remembered that you were in Houston for your surgeries. I think you already told me that TCH was awsome. I forgot!! Duh!!

Mine is congenital but I might feel funny going there being 27 and balding lol. I would like a private room however!

I looked at St. Lukes and they have something along the lines of a Suite in their hospital. I'm sure it costs more but it might be cool to have stayed in the"Penthouse" at the hospital!!

I will probably tour TCH and see what they have to say!! Thanks everyone for chiming in!!

 

[Gnusgal]

Sometimes it did feel funny (like when volunteers came in to ask if I wanted to work on crafts ), but I was 24 at the time and still loved it. I also met a 63 year old woman and a 40-something year old man while I was there. I also highly recommend Dr. Fraser. He's VERY meticulous and will look at your situation from every angle before surgery to make sure that he is doing the best possible thing for you. At least, that's what he did for me.

Okay, I'll stop tooting TCH's horn. I promise, they are not paying me!

 

[Lisa in Katy]

TCH is a great hospital and Dr. Fraser is a great surgeon, although he wasn't mine. I spent a month at TCH in 1976 and visited regularly for several years. At age 14, I felt very old, but since Rheumatic Fever is a childhood disease, that's where they wanted me. Dr. Mullins was my wonderful Cardiologist. Last I heard he was over the cath lab. I'll never forget the post-surgery kids wheeling down the hall on their big wheels dragging their IV poles behind them. That's when you stayed in the hospital for 2 days before your surgery and 2 weeks after. Dr. Mullins said I could keep going to TCH until I was 99! My last visit was in late 1990 when I was 29. I had my tiny new baby Hannah with me and when they put us in a room, they gave me a very small blanket and said "Take her clothes off and you can use this to cover her." It was then that I decided to move on up to adult medicine. I sometimes regret it because my fellow patients at TCH were much cuter than the old farts in Dr. Berman's office! (Sorry to all you old farts! lol!)

 

[tantenay]

Houston

Houston

Hi, I'm from Houston, too. Can't do much better the the medical center in Houston for heart problems! I didn't have my surgery here, as I was living in New Jersey at the time I needed it, but I do have a good cardio here. There are lots of them! I think the DeBakey group is affiliated with the Methodist hospital, and Texas Heart Institute with St Luke's, but I'm not sure. My husband and I both have cardios with the St Lukes Texas Heart Institute. When we moved back to Houston, I just called the Texas HI and asked for a referral. Good luck! Reneeundefined

 

[ticktock]

Kevin
I had my (last) surgery at Houston Methodist, by Denton Cooley in 1999. He was 78 years young, and did it himself... with the usual assists. Dr. Reul was one of them. I don't think you will find better anywhere, but then HEY, they saved my life when no one else would operate!

I had a suite and it was marvelous.... only problem was I only stayed in it 3 days. I was in ICU for 21 days.... complications but it was my fourth surgery. Dr. Cooley has an Assistant named Dena Houchin who is an Angel on Earth!! If you go there, mention my name, we still talk and I see her yearly. They remember me because I was an experiment.

Let us know how it goes!! The best of luck to you!
(Oh yeah, they know me by MELINDA instead of Mindy!!)