Dan Lopes - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

Dan Lopesposted a journal

2772 days ago

Matthew Russo, Melissa Houser, Cathleen Weed and 3 others reacted to this

I've managed to stay away from my laptop for the two weeks since surgery, which has actually been nice. Everything went well and recovery going well. Really ...Read more

I've managed to stay away from my laptop for the two weeks since surgery, which has actually been nice. Everything went well and recovery going well. Really happy to start slowly getting back to my regular life over the next few weeks.

Marie Myers It is good to take a computer break sometimes. Glad you are on the recovery side now! Remember to be ... Read more

Marie Myers It is good to take a computer break sometimes. Glad you are on the recovery side now! Remember to be patient with yourself. Recovering from OHS is a long process.

Dan Lopesposted a journal

2787 days ago

Cathleen Weed and 1 other reacted to this

To make things a bit more interesting, I signed up to be in a hospital-led research study during my surgery and recovery experience. The research is to try ...Read more

To make things a bit more interesting, I signed up to be in a hospital-led research study during my surgery and recovery experience. The research is to try to determine why some people develop chronic pain, even after recovering from surgery. I obviously hope that I'm not in that situation, but it feels good to have something else good come out of this experience.

Dan Lopesposted a journal

2787 days ago

Jeanette Davidson , Barbara Wood reacted to this

This is it. After a 5-week postponement due to a throat bug, had pre-admission today and all's clear for Thursday. Glad that the waiting is over and am anxious ...Read more

This is it. After a 5-week postponement due to a throat bug, had pre-admission today and all's clear for Thursday. Glad that the waiting is over and am anxious to eventually get back to work ... I freelance and haven't been able to look for a new gig with surgery pending. Doing nothing has been worse than the anticipation of the surgery itself.

Marie Myers That is what is hard about the recovery phase. Gotta be patient and rest sometimes...

Barbara Wood Best wishes for Thursday!

Dan Lopesposted an update

2829 days ago

Steve Farthing, Jane Welp, Dana Betts and 3 others reacted to this

T-10 days, and after a potential delay due to a sore throat, got the all clear to proceed. Can't believe that this is happening, but I at least feel prepared. ...Read more

T-10 days, and after a potential delay due to a sore throat, got the all clear to proceed. Can't believe that this is happening, but I at least feel prepared. Thanks to everyone here for the inspiration and tips.

Kathy Blank This community is incredibly helpful and supportive! Rest up and stay as healthy as you can leading u ... Read more

Kathy Blank This community is incredibly helpful and supportive! Rest up and stay as healthy as you can leading up to surgery!

Dan Lopes Thanks Kathy

Jane Welp You can do it!

Patricia Garcia Before you know it you will be back to doing the things you enjoy the most.

Matthew Russo Good luck Dan, you will do great!

Dana Betts This community is amazing! Focus on the recovery!

Ben Hyman Good luck Dan. I'm 1 week post Mitral Repair (robotic at Mayo Rochester) I know from personal experi ... Read more

Ben Hyman Good luck Dan. I'm 1 week post Mitral Repair (robotic at Mayo Rochester) I know from personal experience how relieved you'll be when this is behind you. This whole community has your back

Dan Lopes Thanks everyone

Wanda Mroz Best of luck to you. Sounds like you have all the ducks in a row and are prepared. I had mitral va ... Read more

Wanda Mroz Best of luck to you. Sounds like you have all the ducks in a row and are prepared. I had mitral valve repair, tricuspid repair and a maze in Aug 2016. The maze only has a 70% success rate but it is smart to have it done. Unfortunately I was in the 30% group and have had aflutter twice with one cardioversion and now controlled with meds until a possible ablation. You will do great! And you will be happy to have it all behind you! Prayers... healing thoughts your way!💞🙏🏻

Lisa Ferguson Best of luck Dan! There is so much to think about before surgery, but we will be happy to hear how i ... Read more

Lisa Ferguson Best of luck Dan! There is so much to think about before surgery, but we will be happy to hear how it goes and cheer on your recovery!

Dan Lopesposted an update

2863 days ago

Hi everyone. Am really happy to have found this community ahead of my surgery. Question for the community: Has anyone come across mitral valve chordae tendineae ...Read more

Hi everyone. Am really happy to have found this community ahead of my surgery. Question for the community: Has anyone come across mitral valve chordae tendineae rupture repair done by minimally invasive/robotic techniques? I'm having maze done for afib at the same time. I have a top surgeon, but he's recommending a traditional sternotomy. Thanks

I can't answer any robotic surgery questions but there are many on this site that have had various ro ... Read more

I can't answer any robotic surgery questions but there are many on this site that have had various robotic procedures done. Your in the right place to gain some knowledge Dan. Somebody will be along and chime in with advice before too long. Best Of Luck my friend and God Bless

Dan Lopes Thanks Keith.

Dawn Strefling Welcome, Dan. I was hoping for a minimally invasive MV repair, too, but my surgeon said he would rat ... Read more

Dawn Strefling Welcome, Dan. I was hoping for a minimally invasive MV repair, too, but my surgeon said he would rather just perform the sternotomy so everything is right there and he can get right in there and fix the problem. I have come to peace with my (near) future zipper. My surgery is on Friday.

Phyllis Petersen I had robotic, minimally-invasive mitral valve repair on October 13, 2016. I had ruptured and stretch ... Read more

Phyllis Petersen I had robotic, minimally-invasive mitral valve repair on October 13, 2016. I had ruptured and stretched chordae, which they repaired with gortex, plus a piece of the leaflet had to be removed. They can do quite a bit these days without cracking you open. I had mine done by Dr. Gillinov at Cleveland Clinic.

Michael Meyer Dan, I also had a chordae repaired via minimally invasive mitral valve surgery at Cleveland Clinic by ... Read more

Michael Meyer Dan, I also had a chordae repaired via minimally invasive mitral valve surgery at Cleveland Clinic by Dr. Gillinov in July of 2014. Excellent outcome.

Dan Lopes Thanks everyone. Good to know that there has been success with it. I'll look at my options locally, s ... Read more

Dan Lopes Thanks everyone. Good to know that there has been success with it. I'll look at my options locally, since I'd have to pay out of pocket to have it done in the U.S.