LeakyValve
Well-known member
Hi, All -
My name is Michal and next Tuesday, January 6th, I will be six weeks removed from successful Mitral Valve Repair surgery performed by Dr. Paul Massimiano at INOVA Fairfax Hospital. I return to work on Monday following an echo and have my follow up with my cardiologist (Dr. Subash Bazaz) next Thursday. This site was recommended to me by someone from another medical site and it (you all) has been a God-send. I am very happy to be part of this community and hope to contribute in a manner that helps someone else as you all have aided me.
I had always known about my MVP, but was surprised at my physical this year when my doctor recommended that I go in for an echocardiogram. Dr. Bazaz sat down with me immediately following and told me that my results "were not 100% normal." What does that mean?, I asked. "Well," he said, "you have Mitral Valve Prolapse." It was all I could do to not say, "Duh, I've known that since I was a kid." But I did say, "I know that already." "Well, did you also know that you have severe regurgitation and that you'll need surgery to repair it." "OPEN HEART surgery?," I inquired. "Of course," he replied, "what other kind of surgery is there?"
I am a 43 year-old competitive cyclist who was completely asymptomatic. In fact, doctors were amazed that I was able to race my bike considering the amount of regurgitation that showed up on my subsequent stress echo. I then interviewed various surgeons who made arguments both for and against surgery in the short term, considering how well I was doing. But I decided that I didn't want this hanging over my head (i.e., going back every so often for an echo and waiting for the word that my heart was starting to malfunction) and with the health-related anxiety that I already have, let's get it done sooner rather than later!
After talking with Cleveland Clinic (they wouldn't see me, only schedule me for surgery if I was considered a good candidate), meeting with Johns Hopkins (Dr. David Yuh), and two INVOA Fairfax surgeons (Speir and Massimiano), I decided to go with Paul Massimiano based upon the amount of time he spent with me explaining the procedure and the number of Mitral Valve Repair surgeries he does every year. For the Mitral Valve, he is the best I found (Dr. Speir is great for the Aortic Valve, from what I've learned).
The surgery was a success and I was discharged at noon the day after. Just a little over 24 hours in the hospital. Sounds great, but I was scared to death of going home so soon after the procedure. Especially with a chest tube hole that was continuing to ooze red stuff.
Fast forward four weeks and my family and I travel down to Wintergreen Resort for a two-night stay. I drove the entire trip (3 hrs) and helped carry the luggage up steep hills to our hotel room. I had been feeling really good up until then...shortness of breath, rapid HR and dizziness soon enveloped me. I called the surgeon's office and was fortunate to get a Nurse Practitioner working late. I told her my symptoms and where I was located, to which she responded, "YOU'RE WHERE?!?! AND YOU DROVE?! ARE YOU ALREADY THERE?!" Even though I was released to drive at 2 weeks, I guess I forgot to ask about doing trips (apparently not good for 6-8 weeks). The altitude, while not excessive, definitely contributed to a faster HR and the occasional dizziness. So, no skiing for me...just a lot of rest and relaxation.
Sorry for the long post. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
Glad to be here...although I am sure we would all rather not have to be here. Thanks for all your help!
Michal
My name is Michal and next Tuesday, January 6th, I will be six weeks removed from successful Mitral Valve Repair surgery performed by Dr. Paul Massimiano at INOVA Fairfax Hospital. I return to work on Monday following an echo and have my follow up with my cardiologist (Dr. Subash Bazaz) next Thursday. This site was recommended to me by someone from another medical site and it (you all) has been a God-send. I am very happy to be part of this community and hope to contribute in a manner that helps someone else as you all have aided me.
I had always known about my MVP, but was surprised at my physical this year when my doctor recommended that I go in for an echocardiogram. Dr. Bazaz sat down with me immediately following and told me that my results "were not 100% normal." What does that mean?, I asked. "Well," he said, "you have Mitral Valve Prolapse." It was all I could do to not say, "Duh, I've known that since I was a kid." But I did say, "I know that already." "Well, did you also know that you have severe regurgitation and that you'll need surgery to repair it." "OPEN HEART surgery?," I inquired. "Of course," he replied, "what other kind of surgery is there?"
I am a 43 year-old competitive cyclist who was completely asymptomatic. In fact, doctors were amazed that I was able to race my bike considering the amount of regurgitation that showed up on my subsequent stress echo. I then interviewed various surgeons who made arguments both for and against surgery in the short term, considering how well I was doing. But I decided that I didn't want this hanging over my head (i.e., going back every so often for an echo and waiting for the word that my heart was starting to malfunction) and with the health-related anxiety that I already have, let's get it done sooner rather than later!
After talking with Cleveland Clinic (they wouldn't see me, only schedule me for surgery if I was considered a good candidate), meeting with Johns Hopkins (Dr. David Yuh), and two INVOA Fairfax surgeons (Speir and Massimiano), I decided to go with Paul Massimiano based upon the amount of time he spent with me explaining the procedure and the number of Mitral Valve Repair surgeries he does every year. For the Mitral Valve, he is the best I found (Dr. Speir is great for the Aortic Valve, from what I've learned).
The surgery was a success and I was discharged at noon the day after. Just a little over 24 hours in the hospital. Sounds great, but I was scared to death of going home so soon after the procedure. Especially with a chest tube hole that was continuing to ooze red stuff.
Fast forward four weeks and my family and I travel down to Wintergreen Resort for a two-night stay. I drove the entire trip (3 hrs) and helped carry the luggage up steep hills to our hotel room. I had been feeling really good up until then...shortness of breath, rapid HR and dizziness soon enveloped me. I called the surgeon's office and was fortunate to get a Nurse Practitioner working late. I told her my symptoms and where I was located, to which she responded, "YOU'RE WHERE?!?! AND YOU DROVE?! ARE YOU ALREADY THERE?!" Even though I was released to drive at 2 weeks, I guess I forgot to ask about doing trips (apparently not good for 6-8 weeks). The altitude, while not excessive, definitely contributed to a faster HR and the occasional dizziness. So, no skiing for me...just a lot of rest and relaxation.
Sorry for the long post. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
Glad to be here...although I am sure we would all rather not have to be here. Thanks for all your help!
Michal
