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Mom2izzy

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 24, 2011
Messages
420
Location
Michigan
Just curious...
I haven't been in touch with my cardiologist since before I started working with my surgeon. There was/is no collaboration between the two. I see my surgeon for follow up at the beginning of April, but have no plans to see my cardiologist yet. Should I be seeing him sooner or more frequently?
 
I was told that I would see my surgeon at 1 week and 4 weeks, then cardiologist at 2 weeks and again at 2 month.

EDITED: updated from my notes. Surgeon 1st week, Cardiologist 2nd week, Surgeon 1 month, Cardiologist 2 month.
 
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I would say yes, since normally cardiologist follow-up is more extensive, as well as long-term, than surgeon follow-up. The exact schedule will depend on your post-op condition.

I saw my cardiologist at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months, then yearly since. Each of the early appointments included an EKG and obviously a very thorough stethoscope "exam" of heart and chest. I was told X-rays are usually done (lung/effusion issues) in these follow-ups but based on what they heard with the stethoscope for me, they didn't feel it was necessary. My 6 week appointment also included a full echo and I think a blood draw. I only saw my surgeon once, at 5 weeks, and it lasted maybe 10 minutes at most. It was basically just a final check with final yay or nay on restrictions.

Anyway, I had probably at least one extra cardiologist appointment, maybe two, because I had a complication (heart block and pacemaker). But a full cardiologist work up (including echo) at the one month mark is pretty standard practice.
 
My surgeon and cardiologist had frequent contact during my pre and post surgery period. They worked closely together on my behalf and I saw my cardio, first time post op, at 2 1/2 weeks and my surgeon at about 5 or so weeks. I saw my cardio at about the same schedule as ElectLive above wrote. I'm sure I saw him at least 5 times the first year post op.

It is in the best interest of the patient for their doctors to work together and have good communication. You may wish to call your cardios office to ask when they want you to come in. It is unusual for you to have no idea when to see your cardio so take it upon yourself to arrange an appointment.

Assuming all went well and your surgeon is pleased with your healing, (s)he will release you to care by your cardio with only one appointment post op at surgeon.
 
This is so interesting...my only scheduled follow-up right now is at 4 weeks with my surgeon. Although I do have a visiting nurse here 2 times a week and talk to my surgeon's nurse almost every day.

Hmmm...something new to ask her about...
 
My surgeon is 4 1/2 hours away, and made no plans to see him again, I've been in touch with my cardiologist and family doctor. I see my Cardiologist today for tests, granted in only 2+ weeks out, they're going to do tests to make sure things are doing well. I have a feeling I'll be seeing alot of him in the next couple of months. Don't cardiologists most of the time handle the after care? Kind of like, the surgeon does the work, but the nurses and doctors on the surgeons staff usually handle it from there? I'd imagine it couldn't hurt to be in touch with your cardio.

Hope you're doing well!!
 
I saw my surgeon at 6 weeks post-op, only because I live so close to him. All other follow-up has been with my cardiologist. If you have no complications that necessitate a surgeon, his job is done once you are discharged.
 
Hi Mom2izzy:

I believe it all depends on your first visit to your surgeon after the surgery. I had a good outcome, not to brag about it, my recovery is pretty smooth except for neck and shoulder pain. I had an appointment with my surgeon 3 weeks post-op and he said that everything is looking good and that I didn't need to see him again. He said if the neck and shoulder pain persist, which he doubt, to come back, otherwise, if it goes away I had no need to follow up with him and just follow up with my cardiologist.

What kind of surgery you had?
Are you on coumadin/warfarin?
Are you checking your PT/INR?

I follow up with my cardiologist and have a personal nurse coming to my house to check on my PT/INR until is level. It all depends on the circunstance.

Take care :)

Mitral stenosis and aortic regurgitation
Mitral valve repaired Dec. 2009
Aortic valve replacement Feb. 2012 with an On-x mechanical valve
 
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This last op, I seen my surgeon every day up untill i was transfered from my heart hospital to the specialist stroke hospital, then when i was ready for discharged to home i was transfered back to the heart hospital for a heart check up (i live 3 hours away from both specialist hospitals) where i seen both my surgeon, cardiologist & specialist cardiac nurse.
Then i seen my cardiologist 2 months later, then 3 months after that, then 2 months after that, then i will see him again next week, but this could be because im waiting for another op, therefore there keeping a close eye on me,
When i was 13, i had my op, seen my surgeon everyday whle i was an in-patient, then 2 weeks after discharge i had an appointment with both of them, then 3 months, 6 months and eventually 12 month between appointments with cardiologists,
Glad your doing well :)
Love Sarah xxxx
 
My surgeon's office is following me through a visiting nurse and daily phone calls. I had my mitral valve repaired, and will be on Coumadin throughout the healing process. The visiting nurse checks my INR and the anticoagulant clinic (associated with the surgeon's hospital) follows up after each visit. Still sounds odd that my cardiologist isn't involved, but maybe that's because the surgeon's office is following me so closely. I keep forgetting to ask the nurse...
 
My cardiologist and surgeon were from two different hospital systems, and had virtually no interaction with each other. My last visit to my surgeon was at week four, when he signed me off as being fixed and told me that there shouldn't be any need for me to see him again. After that, I was back in the hands of my GP and cardiologist.
 
My surgeon and cardiologist were both part of Duke Health System so they were in constant contact and could check on everything having to do with me using their linked computer system.

Having said that I had a follow up with my surgeon at 4 weeks and with my cardiologist at 3 months. Then yearly cardiologist visits after that. My surgeon did do a full workup at 4 weeks including ekg, chest x-ray and echo. It was pretty much the same routine after my second surgery as well except now my surgeon will continue to see me once a year to do a mri since i had my aortic root and ascending aorta replaced and he is an expert in that area. I will also see my cardiologist once a year for an echo. My surgeon will look after my aorta and my cardiologist will look after my valve.
 
I'm shocked at how many people had follow ups with their surgeons. Usually thought it was up to the cardiologist to handle after care, and maybe see the surgeon 6-12 months for a follow up. I know I'm fairly new to this, but it seems I'm out of the loop. My surgeon did his job, saw me a couple times after while I was in the hospital, explained some things and basically said unless another surgery is nessecary someday to basically have a good life. I guess everyone does tho GS different though.
 
When I was leaving the hospital I had to have an appointment with my doctor within a week of being released. My cardiologist and surgeon are supposed to see me around the 6 week point. I am just not sure if that is 6 weeks after the surgery or 6 weeks after my escape.
 
I saw my cardiologist one week after my discharge. She was the one that completed the paper for my return to part-time work (remote, of course) and will complete the final return to work paperwork in 2 weeks. I see the surgeon on Thurs for a check up on the incision. In fact, I'm seeing the assistant surgeon who followed me in the hospital. That's ok - his reputation is just as high as my surgeon.
 
Talked to my nurse...the surgeon will see me at 4 weeks and then, most likely, release me back to the care of my cardiologist. She said there is no need to see the cardiologist sooner. I'm not sure if this may also differ by surgery type...I had a mitral valve repair.
 
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