lucky401
Active member
I just met with the surgeon, Dr. Addonizio on Monday. I am 58 years old and I have an ascending aortic aneurysm that is 4.9 and stenosis of the aortic valve that is .9. The doctor also informed me that I had severe tricuspid regurgitation and possible problems with my mitral valve as well. He said he would replace the aortic valve and then repair the tricuspid valve and if needed he would repair the mitral valve as well. I have developed symptoms recently, short of breath when working out (can't work out very long or as often), short of breath on stairs, and can't walk for much more than a mile before becoming very tired, pressure in the chest, palpatations, etc.. The surgeon recommended I have surgery. I asked if I could wait until June and he said that should be fine. That would work well for me since I work at a school and am off for the summer. This surgeon is connected to Abington Hospital in Pennsylvania. This Friday I am seeing Dr. Bavaria at the University of Pennsylvania to get his opinion on things.
I was a little upset when I found out that 2 other valves are not in such great shape as well but glad to hear they can be repaired. This doc said he replaces a valve in 22 minutes and that the whole surgery should be around 2 hours. I couldn't believe it. He says he is the fastest working surgeon in the US. He has perfected this so the patient does not have to be on the heart lung machine for a long time.
We had an 11:30 AM appointment and didn't finish until 2:30 pm. At Abington Hospital they take you on a tour of the facility, after your meeting with the surgeon you meet with your cardiologist and then meet with a family liaison person. So it was a long meeting that was unexpected. However, they were very nice.
I'm not sure where I will have the surgery - it depends on Friday's meeting with Dr. Bavaria. If he says not to wait until June then I won't wait.
I'm pretty nervous about all this even though I've known this day would come for quite a few years. Has anyone else had to have an aortic valve replacement, aneurysm repair plus repairs to two other valves?
Thanks for listening.
I was a little upset when I found out that 2 other valves are not in such great shape as well but glad to hear they can be repaired. This doc said he replaces a valve in 22 minutes and that the whole surgery should be around 2 hours. I couldn't believe it. He says he is the fastest working surgeon in the US. He has perfected this so the patient does not have to be on the heart lung machine for a long time.
We had an 11:30 AM appointment and didn't finish until 2:30 pm. At Abington Hospital they take you on a tour of the facility, after your meeting with the surgeon you meet with your cardiologist and then meet with a family liaison person. So it was a long meeting that was unexpected. However, they were very nice.
I'm not sure where I will have the surgery - it depends on Friday's meeting with Dr. Bavaria. If he says not to wait until June then I won't wait.
I'm pretty nervous about all this even though I've known this day would come for quite a few years. Has anyone else had to have an aortic valve replacement, aneurysm repair plus repairs to two other valves?
Thanks for listening.
