Who and Where?

[mhubbard]

Another issue I am dealing with is that of where to have the surgery done? I live in North Carolina, near Charlotte. Anyone out there had the surgery done in Charlotte, NC? If I do not use Charlotte, I will more than likely go to Duke, since it is only about 2 1/2 hours away. I was wondering about your opinions on this. I know the Cleveland Clinic is rated the best by several sources, but I would think I could get just as good of care here in NC as well. Any thoughts on this?

Marty

 

[martha]

Hi Marty,

I live in Durham, and had my surgery at Duke. Maxximom lives in Raleigh and had her's done at duke also same surgeon. And Dano lives in Chicago and had his done at duke same surgeon as well.

Duke is number six in the country in heart. I was treated really well. My surgeon was Dr Glower (donald) While you are in the hospital you will be taken care of by a group of doctors who call themselves the valve team. My cath was done by one of them also... so were the other two. I continue to use one of them as my cardiologist. Just had a three month appointment. All is doing great. Don't have to go back for another six months.

Please email me privatly if I can be of any help at all. [email protected]

 

[Peter Easton]

It partly depends on what kind of valve you choose to have implanted. Places that specialize in RP, for example, include the University of Alabama/Birmingham, Beth Israel (isn't it?) in New York, and the International Heart Institute in Missoula, Montana. Surgeons who do Cryovalve Synergraft include Tomas Martin at Shands Gainesville. Duke is very good for most procedures but -- once again -- it helps to narrow down the kind of valve you would like to have, unless you choose to go with the person or place you consider most generally competent and then to accept their advice regarding valve.

Peter

 

[maxximom]

surgery at Duke

surgery at Duke

Hi..I see that Martha posted before me..I had my aortic valve replacecd and a triple bypass done 31/2 weeks ago at Duke by Dr Glower. I had my staples removed yesterday (feels so much better) Dr. Glower is very easy to communicate with and he will spend as much time taling to you as you need..he is a "valve specialist" I had considered going to Cleveland and it was a hard decision for me to make..I had sent my records there foe evaluation..and then Sept 11 happened..and we made the decision to stay right here at Duke. If you would like any info please eamil me and I will give you my home phone #..If I can help in any way I would be happy to
. I know what a hard decision this is for you..I would definitly have your surgery done at a large teaching hospital where the surgery is "routine " for them
Good luck
Joan
[email protected]

 

[Turkey Hunter]

Hi Marty

Hi Marty

Yes CCF is rated number One but, What is really important is if YOU are comfortable with your choice of surgeon and/or procedure.

I could set here and give my biased oppinion on CCF since I did have the Ross Procedure there, but I believe that your comfort is of utmost importance.

I have had contact with those who had wonderfull experiences at very small medical centers.

Just be sure to do your research on valve choice and be 100% you understand all aspects of each option prior to making a final decision.

God Bless,

Ben Smith

 

[mhubbard]

Thanks for all the responses. I have a lot of research to do on this in order to pick the right place and surgeon. Thanks for the Surgeon's name at Duke. I just don't want to be pushed into a certain device/procedure just because the surgeon I meet with only uses a particular method or device.

Marty