Natalie's Guestbook

Hi Natalie and congrats on your 1 year. So happy for you. I am looking at an aortic valve replacement in the not too distant future and I was wondering how you decided to travel to Cleveland Clinic for your procedure and did you have a full sternotomy or a smaller J incision? I live in Atlanta but am seriously considering going to Cleveland for my eventual procedure. I am just not sure about the travel home and the follow up appointments, cardiac rehab locations etc. Any insight and info would be appreciated. Thank you.

Good to know! I received the same valve on July 25th - I'm 68, so it was open heart surgery at Columbia Presbyterian. The surgeon told my doctor I was very critical, hardly any oxygen getting through. He told me that, if I need a new valve when I'm 83 or so, they can replace it by TAVR. Good luck to you, Natalie, & stay well!

Great News Natalie. I am coming up to Cleveland in Mid-December for replacement of my Aortic Valve with Dr Svensson with the Inspiris Resilia bovine valve as well. So happy to hear you are doing well! A GREAT suggestion on getting a recliner. Will the hotel provide that, or do I need to order one?

Good luck to you. You sound great. I had an aortic replacement in January 2018th in NY and doing well so I send hope and love to those who have their surgery ahead of them.

So glad you are doing well! I had the same surgery at 42 with a bovine pericardial valve. I am now 54 and talked to a rep from Edwards today [thanks to Adam Pick) about your new valve. I was very impressed with her description and even have more confidence after reading your post. Thank you for sharing

Congradulations and best of luck on your recovery.I am 50 years old i was operated on in June in NJ i also went with a tissue valve .Luckily i had an awesome Surgeon that went through my ribs with a 3 inch incision my Aorta was ok.Within 2 months i was back to doing evrything and more.I am now 5 months post op and dont even think about my surgery anymore.If i can answer any of your questions dont hesitate to ask.Tony

I hade my valve changed at 33 years old 41 now and still strong!!! Also had mine done in cleveland , but I live right here in cleveland!!! Enjoy your recovery!!!

Dear Natalie, I want to send a few words of encouragement. First I would recommend a biological valve over a mechanical because it's quiet and you won't need blood thinners. I had stenosis of the pulmonary valve as a child and had an operation to open it up and also patch a hole in my heart on October 28th 1981by Dr. Edward Norwicky at Maine Medical Center in Portland Maine. He also worked at the Cleveland Clinic during his career. When I was conscious enough after my operation I immediately notice a difference. I felt refresh, more oxygenated. I can't think of a better way to describe it. I hope you feel more refreshed too. I've been told repeatedly that open heart surgery is much improved these days in terms of patience comforts compared to the 1980's. Once you fully recover you'll feel like 30 again. Best wishes!!