Tracey Bilski - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

283 days ago

Has anyone had aortic valve surgery for severe regurgitation (with aortic root expansion to accommodate larger valve for the future) at NYU Langone in NYC? ...Read more

Has anyone had aortic valve surgery for severe regurgitation (with aortic root expansion to accommodate larger valve for the future) at NYU Langone in NYC? Looking for surgeon recommendation and don't see any listed. Thanks for any info.

Tracey Bilskiposted an update

794 days ago

For those of you who had severe aortic regurgitation and have had surgery, how did you know when it was time for the surgery? As I am 60 years old, trying ...Read more

For those of you who had severe aortic regurgitation and have had surgery, how did you know when it was time for the surgery? As I am 60 years old, trying to put it off as long as possible. Thanks for sharing.

Lorri Berardo It depends on what your echocardiogram is showing. And what your surgeon says.

James Hall My best advice would be don't put it off, I had no symptoms at all, in fact I was feeling great. I th ... Read more

James Hall My best advice would be don't put it off, I had no symptoms at all, in fact I was feeling great. I thought about delaying it but so glad I didn't, I was 59 and as my surgeon said this is as young and fit as I will be and will get maximum benefit by not delaying. I understand if you have the fear of the op its self. Please please don't be. I know everyone is different however the truth is its not even close to being as bad as I expected. A week after the op I was down at the coast having fish and chips for lunch. When I was in I compared myself to older patients who had the op later and believe me you then realise the right decision was do it early and not wait. All the best

Mohammed Abdulrahman me to
i am 37 years old, and as the echocardiogram outputs, the aortic valve is bicuspid with seve ... Read more

Mohammed Abdulrahman me to
i am 37 years old, and as the echocardiogram outputs, the aortic valve is bicuspid with severe regurgitation. But the amazing thing is the echo results are not similar and each report define different readings.

Rose Madura Tracy, my (now retired) cardiologist told me to wait for symptoms but I later learned that is old sch ... Read more

Rose Madura Tracy, my (now retired) cardiologist told me to wait for symptoms but I later learned that is old school thinking and I should have had surgery at least one year sooner than I did. I had a rough recovery but honestly can't say if it was because of the wait. My advice is to go with the echo results and get a second opinion.

Richard Munson Amen rose. Same with me.

Tracey Bilskiposted an update

1052 days ago

For those who have had valve surgery at Columbia Presbyterian - looking for recommendation for a cardiothoracic surgeon for aortic valve replacement. I've ...Read more

For those who have had valve surgery at Columbia Presbyterian - looking for recommendation for a cardiothoracic surgeon for aortic valve replacement. I've been playing chicken with my regurgitation which has moved to a new level on recent echo. My daughter is a resident there so would prefer to do surgery at that hospital. Looking for recent recommendation. Thank you so much.