Went for second consultation!

[swatig]

Hi Everyone,

I consuted another surgeon today, Dr. Austin. He seemed really confident so that was a good thing. He recommended Carpentier Edward valve for me and said that he doesnt trust mosaic as there is not enough data available of its success on the patients of my age. He also said that even with CE valve he can only assure 8-10 yrs. I was expecting atleast around 15yrs so that news was disappointing.

He answered my questions about minimal invasive surgery and said that it is very much possible in my case.

I think he doesnt do a lot of mosaics and seemed comfortable with CE and so was very inclined towards it but only 8-10yrs is something which I am not very happy about.

I dint think its going to be such a tuff decision..

Thanks
Swati

 

[Phyllis]

I think that 10-12 years in a younger person is about what you can expect. Since you would like to have children, that is probably the only way to go, but I'm sure more people will chime in here. Just wanted to wish you the best. It never is an easy decision, but once made, you should feel confident that it is the right one and having confidence in your surgeon is the most important thing. Best wishes to you,
Phyllis

 

[Karlynn]

As Bob (Tobagotwo) has put it - younger bodies tend to chew through tissue valves much faster than older bodies. You body chemistry is much more active than someone that is 65 and this is why you received that particular time-span for that valve. However, since you want to bear your own bio-babies - that is the trade-off. And it is the trade-off that I would have chosen had I wanted more children when I had my VR.

If you are very concerned about the time-span, I would double check with your cardio, as well as a high risk OBGyn to make sure they feel that you will be given the okay to go through a pregnancy after your valve replacement. My guess is that you will definitely be able to do so, but you may want to just get a bit more assurance on that since getting the tissue valve will most likely put you back in the OR within 10 years.

There really aren't any easy answers with this valve choice issue. It's "simply" a matter of selecting the option that you feel you will be able to live with the easiest.

Best wishe!