Diane Lewis - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

47 days ago

Finally have a surgery date. It’s December 18th. A week before Christmas. It will be in Indianapolis wit Dr. Marc Gerdisch. I have been ask to be put on a ...Read more

Finally have a surgery date. It’s December 18th. A week before Christmas. It will be in Indianapolis wit Dr. Marc Gerdisch. I have been ask to be put on a cancellation list in hopes that date couldne earlier.

Diane Lewisposted an update

149 days ago

Is there a list of surgeons that use the sternal rigid fixation. I know Dr. Marc Gerdisch does, but their earliest surgery date is in November.

Suelynn Hanegraaf Doug Johnston, MD, my cardiovascular surgeon at Northwestern Medicine (previously, vice chair at Clev ... Read more

Suelynn Hanegraaf Doug Johnston, MD, my cardiovascular surgeon at Northwestern Medicine (previously, vice chair at Cleveland Clinic) used a titanium plating system to close my sternum at my April 2024 aortic valve replacement redo.

Daneen Douglas I think Cleveland Clinic does!

Diane Lewis Thanks!

Diane Lewisposted an update

162 days ago

I have to have both the aortic and mitral valve replaced. My mitral was repaired 6 years ago. I am trying to decide about doing it locally or going out of state. ...Read more

I have to have both the aortic and mitral valve replaced. My mitral was repaired 6 years ago. I am trying to decide about doing it locally or going out of state. My because/BS of Arkansas Medicaid supplemental may only pay for Ark.

I'm also trying to weigh having the sternum wired verses the external fixation I have read about. Any thoughts.

Robert Miller Well, clarify with your insurance. Unless it's a 911 case, you usually get approvals from the insuran ... Read more

Robert Miller Well, clarify with your insurance. Unless it's a 911 case, you usually get approvals from the insurance. Your surgeon's office will do that.

I never heard of external fixation of the sternum. Is there a reason you are considering this versus the normal wires?

Diane Lewis There are a couple of martial posted on this site about it. The ones doing it have a lot less pain an ... Read more

Diane Lewis There are a couple of martial posted on this site about it. The ones doing it have a lot less pain and can lift their weight and drive after the first 7 days.

Diane Lewis Meant to write articles. Can’t find an edit button.

J Alexander Lassally I'm a wire guy - tested and true....

Valerie Allen My surgeon would only do rigid fixation if you are a certain BMI. I was just past that line so he agr ... Read more

Valerie Allen My surgeon would only do rigid fixation if you are a certain BMI. I was just past that line so he agreed with the fixation. I am not sure all surgeons go by this. There are still a couple wires, as I understand it.