Kathryn 's Journal

I'm interested in knowing what peoples true experience is with minimally invasive surgery, especially women. I've been seeing comments here and in the Facebook group about it being pretty painful/uncomfortable regarding recovery, and issues with nerve damage. Can anyone share their experience with it?

I'm really interested in the wires vs rigid fixation for a sternotomy. It makes so much more sense to me to do the rigid fix - would love to hear from anyone who had that instead of the wires, or opinions in general about the two.

Thank you to those who've answered my first time questions. I really appreciate it.

I have another - Johns Hopkins doesn't take any medicare advantage insurance, which is what I have, and I understand neither does Mayo and probably others. I can go on straight Medicare but then there's the 20% thing. I can't get on a supplemental unless I move to another state as I'll be denied. How have you all worked with Medicare, those who are eligible, for your surgeries?

Hello, this is my first post as a newcomer! It's been a weird journey to now considering having mitral valve repair surgery. Two years ago the results of an echo and TEE showed moderate regurg but severe left atrium enlargement, and the docs didn't seem concerned and said to just wait. I moved to Maryland this year and went to a new cardiologist who got very concerned when he saw those test results and said I should have surgery asap.
He then did a TEE and heart cath in August and came out saying it wasn't as bad as he thought, volumes and pressures are good in all chambers, but atrium still super enlarged, so wait. Just saw him for a 3 month check up and he went back and forth about taking it seriously but also waiting. So confusing! Then had his colleague call yesterday to say they thought I should have surgery sooner rather than later. My gut says to just get it done.

I can't find any information on this presentation of moderate regurg and severe enlargement, and I don't have any other indications of things that might cause the enlargement, including hx of high blood pressure. Anyone here have anything similar? And has anyone gone to Dr. Gammie at Johns Hopkins?

Thank you!