Surgery Scheduled and going for the mechanical valve

[PeteCrev]

Met with 2 surgeons and one wanted to do the minimally invasive surgery and the other opted for the traditional open heart surgery. I chose the minimally invasive….Younger surgeon says he does 400 a year and the other surgeon that wanted the traditional open heart was a tad older and I didn’t feel as comfortable with his presentation.
Age really isn’t a factor but my thinking process was newer doctor newer techniques…….any thoughts?

Aortic Mechanical valve surgery scheduled for January 13th 2014......new years resolution.....take better care of myself.....a new start!!!!!

 

[Guest]

Pete,

Like you, I got several opinions. If you think this type of surgery was confusing to decide on; try prostate cancer. Ten years ago I was diagnosed with prostate cancer (T1c) and offered so many options my head was in a spin. I finally opted for brachytherapy.

My heart surgeon had around twenty five years experience and he felt that open heart was better for him simply because he could see and feel the heart, use his hands to do the work in which he was experienced and not depend on a robot to mimic his movements. As long as your surgeon has a lot of experience on their speciality then you are right to choose his/her recommendation.

My valve should last at least ten years and then might need replacement; my surgeon said that when that time comes the next operation should be a TAVR (minimally invasive); now being proven for prime time and even he will be for this option rather than open heart.

I have made the same resolution myself; my rehab begins next week and will I be glad to get out of the house and have some thing to do...

You'll do fine. Vent all you'd like; we're here to be of support...

Joe

 

[PeteCrev]

Pete,

Like you, I got several opinions. If you think this type of surgery was confusing to decide on; try prostate cancer. Ten years ago I was diagnosed with prostate cancer (T1c) and offered so many options my head was in a spin. I finally opted for brachytherapy.

My heart surgeon had around twenty five years experience and he felt that open heart was better for him simply because he could see and feel the heart, use his hands to do the work in which he was experienced and not depend on a robot to mimic his movements. As long as your surgeon has a lot of experience on their speciality then you are right to choose his/her recommendation.

My valve should last at least ten years and then might need replacement; my surgeon said that when that time comes the next operation should be a TAVR (minimally invasive); now being proven for prime time and even he will be for this option rather than open heart.

I have made the same resolution myself; my rehab begins next week and will I be glad to get out of the house and have some thing to do...

You'll do fine. Vent all you'd like; we're here to be of support...

Joe

Thanks for the support.....these forums are great for these issues.
My question is.....is minimally invasive surgery considered Robitic? Or is that a stupid question? Just met with the surgeon yesterday and I forgot what he said.....he said it would be a 3 inch incision on the right side of chest and a small incision in my groin.....after that I went blank....LOL

 

[Agian]

My question is.....is minimally invasive surgery considered Robitic?

No. The robot is only used for the mitral valve. 'Minimally invasive' is a small incision on the side of the chest.

 

[big_L]

If you're comfortable with the surgeon, then you've made a good choice.

My surgeon doesn't do minimally invasive, as he prefers more access. He considers the sternum healing/scarring to be less of a concern. He's more concerned with getting the valve installed properly and more access helps with this. I wasn't exactly thrilled when I heard this, but I grew to be more comfortable with it.

 

[knotguilty]

Well hello fellow New Jersean!

I agree that if you are comfortable with your surgeon, that is the one to use. Someone who does 400 a year is perfect. He has seen it all. Good luck to you. Where abouts in NJ?

 

[dwhist]

My surgeon had planned on minimal but when they put me out, they did the TEE and found the heart was deeper in the chest and larger than they expected, so he did the full cut and later told me there would be no difference in healing after 3 months between the 2 procedures. He did tell me if he did the minimal he would use the groing area for one of the by-pass hookups.

Either way you should do fine.

 

[PeteCrev]

Well hello fellow New Jersean!

I agree that if you are comfortable with your surgeon, that is the one to use. Someone who does 400 a year is perfect. He has seen it all. Good luck to you. Where abouts in NJ?

Thank you....I thought it was the right choice. Howell, NJ.....you?

 

[PeteCrev]

My surgeon had planned on minimal but when they put me out, they did the TEE and found the heart was deeper in the chest and larger than they expected, so he did the full cut and later told me there would be no difference in healing after 3 months between the 2 procedures. He did tell me if he did the minimal he would use the groing area for one of the by-pass hookups.

Either way you should do fine.

Yea....that's what my doc has told me.....we'll see. I told him what ever you have to do....do it! He recommended the St. Jude as well.....how is it that making out for you? And how old are you? I've been reading about the other mechanical (ON-X) and that uses less blood thinners....have you heard?

 

[Paleowoman]

Hi Pete,

I just met with my surgeon - not a particularly personable person but the surgeon with the best reputation and most experience of aortic valve replacement in my area. I'm also scheduled for surgery at the beginning of January ! I'm having minimally invasive surgery too but it's with a small sternotomy. And I'm having a tissue valve. I've got a good team of doctors behind me to support me post operatively, but ever since being told that now was time for surgery my heart has been pounding ! I'm sure it's stress but it definitley makes me more anxious ! You're making a New Year's resolution to taking better care of yourself ? I've always been very good about my health, but having BAV is fate !

 

[neil]

good luck pete , you will be just fine

 

[knotguilty]

PeteCrev,

Pittsgrove, Salem County

 

[PeteCrev]

good luck pete , you will be just fine

Thank you Neil

 

[PeteCrev]

PeteCrev,

Pittsgrove, Salem County

Nice....have never been

 

[dwhist]

Yea....that's what my doc has told me.....we'll see. I told him what ever you have to do....do it! He recommended the St. Jude as well.....how is it that making out for you? And how old are you? I've been reading about the other mechanical (ON-X) and that uses less blood thinners....have you heard?

I had surgery at 52. I told him mechanical and he put in what he felt was best. I had not been to this site before the surgery and so did not know about the ON-X. I think tests are still out on the ON-X, but if I had to do it again, I would have discussed the ON-X with him to see if better option.

I have not had issues with the blood thinners, except for an occasional nasty bruise.

 

[AZ Don]

Well generally I think experience in doing these surgeries is important, but 400/year, that is 8 per day! That doesn't sound right. I think minimally invasive is likely a good option in the hands of a Dr. that is experienced with it.

 

[Midpack]

Surgery Scheduled and going for the mechanical valve

AZ Don:
I am not sure about your maths here, lol.
400 a year is a LOT, but considering something like 200 working days, it means 2 surgeries a day. And my assumption is that, even if the complete surgery lasts say 5 hours, the top surgeon probably stays less than that, leaving non complicate stuff to less experienced coleagues.

 

[AZ Don]

Not sure what I was thinking when I did the math. Still an awful lot but it is possible.

 

[PeteCrev]

Not sure what I was thinking when I did the math. Still an awful lot but it is possible.

You guys are right....his group does 400 per year....their group is 4 people.

 

[Heart Of The Sunrise]

I have the ON-X valve.......my INR target is 2.5. Twice a week I take 7.5mg of Coumadin...other days I take 5mg. Good Luck Pete.:thumbup: