David's Journal

I have a question, if anyone can answer. I recently ( 3 months ago) had heart value surgery for both aortic and mitral values. I chose NOT to have artificial values. I had afib which has been corrected, so far, and am currently on Cumadin which is not what I wanted and why I chose regualr valves. My question is there any alternative medicine for afib where you had heart valve surgery. I would love to get off the cumadin

Well its finally set, the date for the surgery, is now set for Sept 19. My journey started in April with a number of stops and go's. I spoke to four surgeons one who ended going out himself for hip surgery. In the end I decided on Dr. Stelzer at Mount Sinai in New York. Although, i liked Dr Stelzer from the beginning the clincher came out of nowhere. I live alone and am planning on doing part of my recouperating with my brother and sister-law in New Jersey. Since I was going to be spending time with them , they suggested that they ask their cardiologist if he could take me on as a patient, while I was staying with them. . Last week I was visiting with them and they had an appointment with their cardiologist so they were going to ask him if he would accept me. They went to their appoinment and told the doctor about me. He asked about my surgery and where I was going to have it done and with whom. My sister-law than proceeded to tell him either at MGH or Mount Sinai and mentioned the two surgeons. They said one was Doctor Stelzer and he said stop right there tell him not to look any further he than proceeded to spend twenty minutes tell them what great person and surgeon he was. Call it fate call in conquencedence but what that sealed the deal. Dr Stelzer me feel very comfortable from the start but also explained the procedure. He actually put my cat scan on a screen so I could see my heart and body and showed me the issue and how he was going solve my problem. By the way Dr Stelzer was the only one who took his time to listen to my heart, the other just read the reports. What a different feeling when the you feel the your surgeon is really taking the time to listen to the person. It made a big difference to me.

Hello Everyone. I am looking for a second opinion for my heart value surgery. It looks like I will probably need both values replaced and I am looking for second opinion on the type of surgery procedure. I live in the Boston Area and my Surgeon is at MGH. I am looking for someone to review my records and tell me how they would proceed. Perhaps at Brigham and Woman's or Tufts Thanks for any help