DeWayne
Well-known member
Oh and Larry, I have been through just what you describe, just find the surgeon with the most experience in the aorta, valve is secondary to that.
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scrappy47
Member
survivor here to wish you well.
survivor here to wish you well.
Best of luck to you as you make these important decisions. I have had two heart surgeries, one at age 35 to replace my unicuspid aortic valve and one at 55 (just over a year ago) to fix an ascending aortic aneurysm. The doctor choice for me lead to me dr joseph bavaria in philadelphia who was phenomenal along with his extended team. I am blessed to be alive and know you will feel the same way when this is behind you. I think it's important to be near family if that is a support system for your spouse especially. My doctor wanted me local to him for about a month after the surgery so i did not have to go back to florida where we live-was able to stay with loving family for that month. What a great help that is! Use your common sense. You will make the right choices.
survivor here to wish you well.
Best of luck to you as you make these important decisions. I have had two heart surgeries, one at age 35 to replace my unicuspid aortic valve and one at 55 (just over a year ago) to fix an ascending aortic aneurysm. The doctor choice for me lead to me dr joseph bavaria in philadelphia who was phenomenal along with his extended team. I am blessed to be alive and know you will feel the same way when this is behind you. I think it's important to be near family if that is a support system for your spouse especially. My doctor wanted me local to him for about a month after the surgery so i did not have to go back to florida where we live-was able to stay with loving family for that month. What a great help that is! Use your common sense. You will make the right choices.
Eric
Well-known member
Larry,
Dr. Raissi did my surgery almost exactly three years ago. I interviewed several docs before choosing him. He is a great guy in addition to being a great surgeon. I still speak with him often and would highly recommend him; although others, in their responses above, have mentioned surgeons with great reputations as well.
Good luck with your decision. Let me know if you choose Dr. Raissi. I will try to help you out with local logistics.
Dr. Raissi did my surgery almost exactly three years ago. I interviewed several docs before choosing him. He is a great guy in addition to being a great surgeon. I still speak with him often and would highly recommend him; although others, in their responses above, have mentioned surgeons with great reputations as well.
Good luck with your decision. Let me know if you choose Dr. Raissi. I will try to help you out with local logistics.
G
Geordie97
Back Again
Back Again
After much discussion and research, we finally decided to travel to New York-Presbyterian - Wiell Cornell Medical School and see Dr Leonard Girardi.
On 9/11/08 (not my choice date for surgery in NYC but he had an emergency come up on 9/10/08), Dr Girardi cracked my chest for the 3rd time (first in 1967, 2nd in 1975), and repaired an ascending aortic aneurysm that was measured at 5.4cm and extended from the valve root in to the arch. He also replaced the aortic valve (again) with a St Jude Valve. On 9/18/08, I was released from the hospital for outpatient care via the Guest Facility at the Helmsley Medical Tower (next door). We have been out walking, as best that I could to build up my strength and even walked from Times Square back to the Tower (approx 3 miles) on 9/23/08. This morning, after a visit with Dr Girardi, I was released to travel back to my house in North Mississippi and I CAN'T WAIT! As most of you are aware, I'm tired, sore, and want to go home.
I do have one question for all of you. Since I came out of the anesthesia, I have noticed that my teeth are extremely sensitive to hot and cold. I think I remember the same thing when I had my back surgery (or maybe it was a previous heart surgery), so I'm wondering if it is a response to the ansthestic? Dr Girardi said he had never run in to this but his Nurse Practitioner thinks she remembers hearing it is related to the anesthetic.
Back Again
After much discussion and research, we finally decided to travel to New York-Presbyterian - Wiell Cornell Medical School and see Dr Leonard Girardi.
On 9/11/08 (not my choice date for surgery in NYC but he had an emergency come up on 9/10/08), Dr Girardi cracked my chest for the 3rd time (first in 1967, 2nd in 1975), and repaired an ascending aortic aneurysm that was measured at 5.4cm and extended from the valve root in to the arch. He also replaced the aortic valve (again) with a St Jude Valve. On 9/18/08, I was released from the hospital for outpatient care via the Guest Facility at the Helmsley Medical Tower (next door). We have been out walking, as best that I could to build up my strength and even walked from Times Square back to the Tower (approx 3 miles) on 9/23/08. This morning, after a visit with Dr Girardi, I was released to travel back to my house in North Mississippi and I CAN'T WAIT! As most of you are aware, I'm tired, sore, and want to go home.
I do have one question for all of you. Since I came out of the anesthesia, I have noticed that my teeth are extremely sensitive to hot and cold. I think I remember the same thing when I had my back surgery (or maybe it was a previous heart surgery), so I'm wondering if it is a response to the ansthestic? Dr Girardi said he had never run in to this but his Nurse Practitioner thinks she remembers hearing it is related to the anesthetic.
B
blauer
Aorta surgery center in Denver
Aorta surgery center in Denver
I have a similar issue, BAV and Enlarged Aorta. I live in Denver. I can't seem to find out about the Aorta surgery centers in Denver and surgeons names to contact. Can anyone help.
Thanks.
Bill
Aorta surgery center in Denver
I have a similar issue, BAV and Enlarged Aorta. I live in Denver. I can't seem to find out about the Aorta surgery centers in Denver and surgeons names to contact. Can anyone help.
Thanks.
Bill
Don't know if you can travel, but as has been recommended here by other members
Cedar-Sinai, Los Angeles, CA Dr Sharo Raissi
Good Luck on your research....
Cedar-Sinai, Los Angeles, CA Dr Sharo Raissi
Good Luck on your research....
B
blauer
Bicuspid foundation website
Bicuspid foundation website
Thanks Susan, I have been reading the information on that site. Bill
Bicuspid foundation website
Thanks Susan, I have been reading the information on that site. Bill
ALCapshaw2
Well-known member
There are some Good Aortic Surgeons in California.
Dr. Laks at UCLA
Dr. Craig Miller at Stanford
come to mind.
Do a Search on VR.com to find members who have used their services.
Dr. Laks at UCLA
Dr. Craig Miller at Stanford
come to mind.
Do a Search on VR.com to find members who have used their services.
Sensitive Teeth: it's funny that you mention this, because I had it also.
My dentist confirmed that nothing was physically wrong and over time it has improved somewhat.
My dentist confirmed that nothing was physically wrong and over time it has improved somewhat.
carolyncox
Active member
Hi Larry, hope you are doing well. Amazing this being your third surgery and you had your valve replaced again as well as having your aorta replaced. All the very best for your recovery.
Good Surgeons
Good Surgeons
If you're considering Nashville you might want to contact St. Thomas Hospital. That's where I had my surgery and it is considered the place to go in Nashville for heart surgery. They do twice the number of valve/aortic procedures Vandy does. I know this because I worked both places in heart surgery. The post op intensivists are attending critical care Docs...not residents. St Thomas has been recognized as a top heart hospital along with Cleveland Clinic. By the way, the retired Vanderbilt Chief of Cardiac surgery came to St. Thomas for his bypass surgery. If that doesn't tell you the difference I don't know what will.
Good Surgeons
If you're considering Nashville you might want to contact St. Thomas Hospital. That's where I had my surgery and it is considered the place to go in Nashville for heart surgery. They do twice the number of valve/aortic procedures Vandy does. I know this because I worked both places in heart surgery. The post op intensivists are attending critical care Docs...not residents. St Thomas has been recognized as a top heart hospital along with Cleveland Clinic. By the way, the retired Vanderbilt Chief of Cardiac surgery came to St. Thomas for his bypass surgery. If that doesn't tell you the difference I don't know what will.
