Renee Merrill - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

3058 days ago

I will be having minimally invasive aortic valve replacement surgery August 16th. At the Cleveland Clinic. I am from Michigan so it is quite a long way away...I ...Read more

I will be having minimally invasive aortic valve replacement surgery August 16th. At the Cleveland Clinic. I am from Michigan so it is quite a long way away...I was hoping someone could answer some questions I have... After surgery how often do you have to see your surgeon/Cardiologist?? I understand the blood is going to have to be checked but as to how often I really don't know. I'm staying in Cleveland for 2 weeks after the surgery so that I am close to everything. But when I go home I understand I will have rehab and we have a great rehab here but how often will I have to see the doc.?? I don't want to have to travel back to the Cleveland Clinic once a week... Know what I mean?? Thanks for any and all input. This is all so new to me. Blessings to all ❤️ Renee

Mark Ridder Renee,
I had a minimally invasive aortic valve replacement procedure at Cleveland Clinic on November ... Read more

Mark Ridder Renee,
I had a minimally invasive aortic valve replacement procedure at Cleveland Clinic on November 7, 2012. I consulted with my surgeon as I'm sure you have and we agreed that a bio-prosthetic bovine tissue valve was the best choice for me. I was 60 years old on the date of my surgery. I've always enjoyed a very active life (running, cycling, strength training, golf, etc.) and I didn't want to have to take Coumadin (warfarin) for the rest of my life. This would be necessary if I had chosen a mechanical valve instead of the tissue one. I would be happy to share my post-op experience and cardiac rehab outcome if you have an interest. Just reach out to me here on the boards and I will share any information that might be of help or encouragement to you. All the best as you prepare for you upcoming surgery and heart health journey.
Sincerely,
MarkR

Geraldine Rathur Hi Renee I from Michigan Having my aorta value replacement also my root ,sinus on my Aorta My surgery ... Read more

Geraldine Rathur Hi Renee I from Michigan Having my aorta value replacement also my root ,sinus on my Aorta My surgery is August ninety I am sixty years old . Trying to stay positive Ann Arbor is a hour drive . Sorry I not sure . Keep I in touch thanks Geri

Petey Bello Hi Renee, I went a distance to have my mitral valve repaired. I stayed for two weeks, once I returned ... Read more

Petey Bello Hi Renee, I went a distance to have my mitral valve repaired. I stayed for two weeks, once I returned home I saw my local cardiologist along with my family doctor. My surgeon released my care to my local cardiologist so I didn't have to return. As far as how many times you need to see your cardiologist after surgery will depend on how well you recover. You will need someone to take over your care once you are home if you do not want to travel back to Cleveland. Good luck to you!

Michael Meyer Hi Renee:
My experience was the same as Petey. I had robotic, minimally invasive mitral valve repair ... Read more

Michael Meyer Hi Renee:
My experience was the same as Petey. I had robotic, minimally invasive mitral valve repair in 2014. You should have a personal Primary Care Physician and Cardiologist. The coumadin/blood thinner and incision progress was managed by my PCP and the cardiology drugs, rehab, heart health managed by my cardiologist. I was in Cleveland for about ten days for both preop and took a few days to recover in the hotel before traveling to St. Louis, MO. Once the surgeon and cardiologists (you will have a few, entry/preop, cardiologist for ICU care and cardiologist post op- this will all be transparent to you). CC will release you and your other physicians will take over. I am sure you can continue care at CC, but there is no need to if you have good physicians at home, CC is repairing the heart valve.

Renee Merrill Thank you everyone for your info i really appreciate all the help... I have another question, i am ha ... Read more

Renee Merrill Thank you everyone for your info i really appreciate all the help... I have another question, i am having a retreat root canal and it is infected but i am on antibiotics i have 4 more weeks do you think this will all clear up before surgery? will they still let me have surgery?