Survey: How did you choose your surgeon

[cam4est]

For my first PVR, my cardio chose the surgeon for me. It had to be a state hospital due to insurance requirements. Also, the cardiologists would not treat me in my hometown because they did not have the needed expertise. I met the surgeon, liked the way the office ran, toured the facility, and OK'd the choice. The care at teh hospital was traumatizing. After the surgery failed a year later, my cardio did research on top hospitals with ACHD clinics and chose the Mayo. The Mayo chose my cardio and surgeon. Luckily, the siutation was FAR better there than in my first hospital. Karen

 

[debster913]

My cardio chose my surgeon for me. Since I trust my cardio, it was no problem. We both wanted someone who specializes in mitral valve repair. No complaints here on my surgeon--he is considered tops in his field.

 

[pipersmith]

Met with surgeon today...

Met with surgeon today...

I waited to weigh in here, until I actually met with a surgeon. I was referred to this particular surgeon by my cardio. I liked him immediately, very down to earth, easy to communicate with. I had to take 3 3-year-olds to the appointment - He wasn't bothered by them at all and in fact interacted actively with all of them - it impressed me.
I live in a relatively small town. Our heart center is new but has a good reputation. I was really hoping to like him - because there are scarce few choices here. I did not ask how many operations he has done - I was afraid that would scare me I will save that for the next apointment.

Good luck with your search!

 

[Karlynn]

My cardio chose my surgeon. My cardio was considered the best of the best at Northwestern Memorial at the time (now deceased). So I trusted his surgeon choice. It worked out fine. Today, knowing what I know, and being more assertive in my medical care, I'd probably insist on having more of a say. But then, one of the reasons I keep going to my cardio at NWM now, is because Dr. McCarthy is now on staff there. He's where I'd go to first if I found I needed another surgery.

 

[Tony]

My surgeon was selected by the hospital in which I had a catherization and TEE. I knew very little about aortic valve replacement but I was frightened because I had an aneurysm at the valve. The operation was scheduled within one week. After his round of surgery the surgeon came to my room to interview me and to judge whether he and I were satisfied with each other. He recommended a mechanical valve and ran down a list of risks. He mentioned that I would be on Coumadin for the rest of my life. At the time I thought Coumadin would be just another pill as I had been on blood pressure medication for many years.

I returned to the hospital two days before the operation for instructions ( and some tests I think). I asked the nurse about the surgeon and she said he was very good. I doubt she would say anything negative as they are all part of a team.

I have no complaints about the surgery.

 

[Joe Cool]

Survey says...

Survey says...

Several doctors she knew highly recommended a wonderful surgeon, Dr. Taro Yokoyama who had done many valve repairs and replacements in his long career. Must have been pretty good, because I survived.

That's my man!! My cardio recommended two surgeons and Dr. Yokoyama was one of them. I chose him because the valve and procedure that I knew I needed is the one that Dr. Yokoyama recommended, so I felt good about that and he has done THOUSANDS of these. So that sold me right there. Also, everyone that I talked to that knew him said he was the best. The other surgeon was a really good one too, but he was suggesting some alternative proceedures that I was not comfortable with. Plus, he was trained by Dr. Yokoyama, so I felt why not go with the master

Just make sure that you do your homework so that you know if you have a competent surgeon who will do the right procedure for you.

 

[KAJ]

Like others on the site, my cardiologist told me the surgeon he wanted to perform my AVR. I trust his judgement so went with his recommendation.

Karl

 

[George]

The choice was easy..repeat customer 40 yrs later!

The choice was easy..repeat customer 40 yrs later!

I was born with Tetralogy of Fallot. My first open heart surgery was in 1965, when I was 10 years old. I did not receive a valve at that time. Actually, I lived for 40 years WITHOUT my pulmonary valve. It had to be removed, as the pulmonary artery was constricted. It was considered too dangerous to replace the valve when repairing the artery. Thousands of children had the same life saving procedure . Mine was done by Dr. Albert Starr. He is the co-inventor of the Starr-Edwards valve, which was the world's first successful artificial heart valve.
40 years later, it became time to consider having my pulmonary valve replaced. My cardiologist was aware that Dr. Starr had done my first OHS, & sent him my chart for his opinion.
At his invitation, I had a consultation with Dr. Starr. He was 79 years old, yet still practicing surgery! He was very interested in my case. He told me it was definately time for me to have a pulmonary valve replacement. This world famous surgeon said he would very much like to do my PVR. With complete confidence, I gladly accepted his offer. I'm very pleased to say it's now been 1 year since my PVR, & the outcome has been great!

 

[Caitlin]

Hi Tom

My first surgery was an emergency and the cath dr who perforated my artery called his good buddy the surgeon, who agreed to do the op immediately before leaving on vacation. He left me in the care of a colleague, whom I never saw face to face, the day after the surgery.

On the fourth day after, the first colleague had his days off, and I was given to a third colleague. This guy came in and talked to me face to face. He took out the tubes and reasoned with me about what had just happened to me. I really liked him.


So, when, this time, the cath Dr tried to recommend the same surgeon as the first time. I said I wanted Arzouman out of the three in that office, and I got him. I picked him for his post-op patient manner towards me, but he was the senior partner in that outfit and has excellent credentials. He is talkative and he seems to like to teach anyone anything they need to know about their hearts. He is totally type A, so I figure he is a great guy to have doing the work!

He told me he would never leave a patient post op and he also told me that he had split with his colleagues over this and other issues!