Peyton's Journal

J Alexander Lassally  Yep - we're very much post traumatic stress patients with all of those negative triggers we endured. 

Marie Myers  Ever since my surgery (2017), my pressure is high in every doctors office I go to… I usually keep a 2 week record of my home pressures to show them that I am not truly out of control on my BP.

Richard Munson  My bp before meeting my cardiologist this week was 124/82. I already read my results from home so i was pretty certain of his analysis before i saw him in person. 

Pamela Gregory  Sounds like you are doing really well!!! I definitely had a lot of anxiety getting post surgery tests done (pre-surgery tests done too). I need to be more like Rose!!!

Grace Mason   Looking great Peyton!
Good for you getting back in the gym so soon. Keep on moving forward ❤️‍🩹

Rose Madura  I'm sorry you are having PVCs. I think the first six weeks are kind of wacky and anything goes. Personally, I struggled with Afib for about six weeks and had other complications for about 3 months.  Try to stay strong and positive. Always check in with the cardiologist if something feels off.   

Valerie Allen  I’m 7 months out and I have PVCs. They actually didn’t start up for several months. The cardiologist said no issue unless afib or other effects. Cutting back on caffeine helped some.

Rita Savelis  Sorry to hear that. It's still so early after your surgery. It's hard, because once home from hospital there is no one to verify that what you are experiencing is normal, even if it is. One is so aware of one's heart for a long time. I get strange beats sometimes and it's been 9 years. They no longer worry me, but at 3 weeks they did. Take care.

Jennifer reynolds  I had PVCs for the first 4 months after surgery and all of a sudden they stopped. I think they heart just needs time to heal.

Robert Miller  @Peyton Davies, did you have open heart surgery? I don't see anything at all. Maybe something small to the right of you over that tattoo but that's not where they usually do a full cut. 

Grace Mason   Welcome to recovery ❤️‍🩹. It's always nice to begin recovering at home and your own routine. Well wishes!

Kimberly Eisenhut  Wow Peyton, you are moving forward quickly! It is wonderful to see how great you are doing! Continued quick healing going forward

Marcus Krauss  Feels good finally getting all those tubes and lines pulled out! Blood pressure was the one thing that kept me in the hospital a little longer as well, but I wound up getting it under control and was discharged on day 5. Glad everything is progressing well for you!

John Crawley  The day they finally pulled the tube from my left side was the best day....the pain from that drain was the worst part of my surgery by far

Marcus Krauss  Woohoo! Great to hear! Welcome to the other side. I think you'll be surprised at how much better you feel every day for the first few weeks!

Deena Z  Yep, thanks for your honesty. Day one after OHS via sternum is tough.  And each day thereafter gets mega better than the prior. 

Kimberly Eisenhut  Peyton, I am so happy to see your husband was vigilant and did not give up on getting your insurance to do what they are there to do! I know every step seems to be a battle, but you are now on your way to getting your life back and I wish you all the best going forward. Insurance sure needs to be one of the top priorities in this country, as it has become a serious problem for those needing treatments. It should not add to our stress with health issues we have, but be there when we need it and support us, not create even more anxiety and stess. Glad you have an advocate like your husband

Suzette Schear  So glad you got the approval.  It’s crazy what the insurance companies put a person through at times.  Can I borrow your husband next time I need insurance help.  I’m only kidding but seriously I have been on the phone constantly getting my approvals.  I’m glad this worry if off your plate. 

Robert Miller  I probably sound like a broken record but surgery is easy. You just "sleep". And the thing is, you are surrounded by doctors and nurses before, during and after surgery. And you will come out with your heart being in a better state than before. Going into surgery was a relieve for me. The biggest issue is how well you prepared for recovery. That's a pain in the rear. But with proper preparation and hopefully some support, you will handle it just fine and be in a much better place afterwards. 

Klara Čičić  Robert gave great advice. Most people here say that the waiting part was the hardest. Surgery is the easiest cause you sleep, as Robert said. And recovery...well, it is a long road, full of ups and downs, but it will ultimately make your mind and your heart stronger! You can do this!!!!!

Richard Munson  The good news is that you aren’t doing the surgery on friday the 13th. You may end up on blood thinners which tattooers frown on. I had to stop the aspirin for 2 weeks prior to getting my oldsmobile tattoo but it came out pretty good. Of course i was 78 at the time. 

Deena Z  That is incredibly generous, kind, loving and altruistic of your 
tattoo artist. Would be a great good news, morning TV segment!!

Robert Miller  I suspect your tattoo artist will have many more flash sales. So instead of being sad that you couldn't take advantage of this sale, I would concentrate on the preparation and especially recovery of this procedure. 

Deena Z  One step at a time. Getting there. There are many success stories on HVS for your surgery and with your doc!  (Also- went to Sinai for MV.). We are here with you.  ❤️😎

Shaun Morris  Hey Peyton, I am officially a week out from surgery with Dr. El-Hamamsy and home and feeling strong.   He ended up being able to repair the valve and did not need to do the Ross Procedure.   He and his team have been so great throughout the process.  I am confident you will have a great experience as I did and am here to help in any way I can. 

Adam Pick  Hey Peyton, As many folks in our community will tell you, waiting for your procedure can be filled with a lot of anxiety. I remember that as well. The really great news is that you are in GREAT hands with Dr. Ismail El-Hamamsy, who is a leading Ross Procedure surgeon. Great job finding him considering you are from Kansas!

Dan Fouratt  Adam is right, I only waited two months but during that time I tried to get ready.  My dietitian told me to get up to 1.4 grams of protein per kilo of weight before the surgery to help recovery.  She told me to stop drinking. Both of which I did.  I also spent time getting in better shape but chasing three kids around probably does that for you.  I spent no time worry about the process cause that did not help anything and I could not control it.  Much easier said then done.  Good luck an your journey.

Rose Madura  Hi Peyton.  The three months will go by quickly.  This gives you time to prepare your home for your return, think of what you need to take when you go to the hospital etc.  The waiting is terrible.  Be thankful that you aren't in an emergency situation with no time to prepare.  God bless you on your journey.

Valerie Allen  The wait is hard, at least many people say that. Keep in touch here as you’ll learn all types of tips and get support.

Alex Mohr  I am scheduled for next week. I like him too. Have you heard anything about him from others here? The list of Dr.s was pretty short to start with. I've done a lot of research on the Ross at this point. Congrats on being a good candidate!

Grace Mason   I will say one thing regarding staying in NY. I stayed in September when hotel prices were pretty decent for NYC ($385-425/night) In November, other patients on this site going to Mt Sinai mentioned the cost of the rooms were double what they were in September. Just something to consider when planning.

Alex Mohr  Mt Sinia program gives suggestions for rooms close to the hospital that don't have lots of stairs. I'm paying around $3500 for 2 beds for 12 days. If they had openings, would have been the same for 14. My stay starts Monday. Leemor will give you the suggested locations. One place shows their mt sinia pricing and dates for the pricing. The place I like is called bubba and bean.

Alex Mohr  OMG! What an amazing experience. I am blown away at how easy everything has been. I was never in much pain. Lungs felt a little like a bad cold without the itch that makes me cough. Walking on my own next day. I have walked every day since. I'm up to 3 miles a day and not flat ground. Take your time and stay positive. I'm sure you will be pleasantly surprised at how well it goes. I am still tired and I sleep and nap a lot more than ever except maybe teenage years lol. Bubba and bean is awesome. 100% recommended. One of the owners had ohs so they are very accommodating.

There's great food on the block and a little park another patient maintains. French spot and Italian. Naughty crab not so much.
Feel free to ask anything. You totally got this!

J Alexander Lassally  Appreciate your comments - and yes, many younger peers are pretty clueless what this journey looks like. Progress.... 

Rose Madura  Peyton, young or old, friends don't seem to get it.  But we all here, no matter what age, do get it.  Congratulations on this success!  Your diligence will do well for you. Godspeed.

Sue Maize  Peyton, I know exactly what you mean—there is such a special feeling when you finally meet with your surgeon! You’ve probably heard a lot or read a lot already about them; plus, I couldn’t help thinking that this is the first being, besides God who will have ever actually seen my heart in the flesh. When my surgeon asked me if there was anything else I needed answered for my peace of mind, I told her no, but can I tell you something? She said yes….I then told her that I had wrestled over having this surgery and who should be my surgeon, and prayed about it a lot. I felt the Lord conveyed to me that he always knew I would need this surgery, but that 10 years after I was born, another girl would be born who would one day become a doctor and that our paths would cross. I wasn’t sure how she’d take this kind of thing, and I was looking anywhere but her face when I said it, but when I looked up she had tears in her eyes. I think many of our doctors understand how profound this  is for us. 🥰

Robert Miller  Reading your story, I assume this is your consultation before surgery and not an after-surgery remote visit. It might be too late but write down all your questions and at the end of the conversation make sure all questions have been addressed. Takes notes as you discuss your questions and if you have a partner, make sure your partner also listens in and even asks questions. I know it's a bit a stressful situation having to make quick decisions. Good luck.

susan harris  My son is 26 now and his friends definitely don’t get it. Never had. Kids in grade school even went so far as to say they didn’t believe he had OHS when they were looking straight at his chest. Just know that you are not alone. This community is behind you 100%

Sue Maize  Hi Peyton, I’m glad you had the Ross suggested to you and that this surgeon was honest about the fact that he hadn’t done many—it’s a very important criteria in the decision. The suggestion is about 100, but being in the US, and willing to travel, you have LOTS of options. You could go to Mount Sinai in NYC where Dr. El-Hamamsy and Dr. Paul Stelzer are renowned for having done the most (700 and 800+ respectively), but there are so many others too across the country. Check the directory on Rossprocedure.org—it lists many but not all of those in North America and also has their contact info. I’m sure others will weigh in here on their experiences too. You’ve got lots of choice. Best of luck! 

Peyton Davies  I talked to Dr. El-Hamamsy’s assistant today! I’m working on emailing him all my tests from the last month!! 

J Alexander Lassally  Hey Peyton - I traveled 2000 miles for mine - It is totally worth it - and plus, it is an adventure of sorts. You'll always remember it. 

Rose Madura  You are getting good advice here and I'm so glad you are getting other opinions.  It's important. Sounds like you are in top of things.

Valerie Allen  Hi welcome! No idea about tattoos, but there are only a handful of Ross procedure specialists in the country. The people here with more knowledge can clue you in as to who and where they are.

Peyton Davies  I think I’m going to have mine done by Todd Crawford. But we’ll know more after they all meet on the 22nd and discuss my case 

Allen Carkner  Hello Peyton, good luck with your procedures. I had a Ross procedure March 2023. Tattoo in December 2023. I asked my cardiologist and they weren’t worried about it. They said to skip my 81mg aspirin for the day but that was about it. However, with mechanical valve warfarin therapy, I’ve heard it’s not recommended due to bleeding risk.