Dr. Dan Heffez (Operation #2)

[TinaM37]

Had my appointment last week with him. He has said that I needed the operation again. He also said the they use the lining of a cows heart for the Dua patch. His office is supposed to call the first of this week with my appointment. My questions is..has anyone had their decompression operation with him at  The Chiair Center of Wisconsion? Can you tell me how you liked him and what to expect? He said I will be in the hospital for 5 days then we are staying at the Kathys House for 4 days.

Thanks to all,
Tina

[maxpoo]

I had the decompression surgery about 6 years ago.   I was don from the back c1-c7....helped my headaches alot, now though It sometimes hurts to hold my head up.  I have pain from the top of my head down to my neck.  It is hard turn my head without pain...does this sound like another surgery is needed?  Also I had Dr. Heffez, he is supposed to be one of the best....when you hear nurses give good feedback, to me that means something....

[zipperbob]

I just had d.r. h do my second surgery in wisconsin.. my first was done by a doctor in libertyville. D.r.dan was wonderful.. extremely thourough! 5 m.r.I and a lumbar puncture with dye later he was confident enough to make a determination for reparpir of the botched first surgery.. its been 3 weeks since surgery he disected the duram proper shaved the spurs left behind fused something pushed my brain back up because too much skull was removed the first time got a new titanium plate so now I don't have a sink hole back there anymore... I feel much better still get mild head ache but nothing like before a little pain but its only been 3 weeks... I wish I had found d.r. dan first! I highly recomend him tell him bob radle sais hi.. your in good hands

[selmaS]

  well, many will get an infection...some just a leak....the drs would have to take a look......but , it is not something I know that much about, except I was dx'd with EDS and told this could happen.

I was also told bcuz I had EDS, I would need to have glue and sterri strips as a closure instead of staples or stitches...as it could tear the skin.My Dr also harvested skin from my scalp, so that is a reason my scar is 2x's longer than most......but I did not have an issue with my patch.....although we do tend to heal much slower than most too, so I did ooze a bit.....but all in all I did pretty good : )

  "selma"

PS- I could never b a Dr or a nurse, some of this "talk" actually can make me sick, imagine if I had to look at it everyday...LMAO....I have a weak stomach and could never deal with it...lol....but thanks for the vote of confidence : )

[TinaM37]

Selma,

You are so helpful to all of us! You really could go to school and be a nurse or doctor for all you know about Chiari.

How would you know if your body is rejecting the patch?

Thanks so much for all your help.....
Tina

[selmaS]

  Oh Ok....u had a bony decompression....they r very conservative in what is removed and many times need a redo.

As for EDS, it is Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome....many with chiari can have it as well, and it can cause us to have issues that can make having a dura patch made of nething but from our own skin darn near impossible as we will reject it....plus, our skin does not take the staples and stitches too well either.

U can have a rheumatoid Dr check u for this, but I feel all chiarians should rule this out prior to surgery, even if u have had one b4......u don't want the patch placed to find u r rejecting it.....and then need to have it removed.

I pray this surgery helps give u the relief u deserve : )

  "selma"

[TinaM37]

Hi,

He said that there was not enough done with the first operation. He stills sees alot of crouding, also there was nothing done with the dura the first operation, only some bone removed. He said that he need to cut into the dura, seperate and make room, then patch it up. I have had a headache 24/7 and he said this is why. He said I should see much improvement from this operation.

Selma - I don't think I have been tested for EDS...what is this?

Thanks,
Tina

[pamk5]

Hello,

I have heard really good things about Dr Heffez but have never seen him. I do believe you will be in good hands.  I have the same question as Selma why did he say you need additional surgery?  I hate you have to have additional surgery but I do hope it gives you the relief you need.  

Pam

[selmaS]

  Hi...I know we have a few members that had surgery with Dr H......and I am sure someone will offer some insight on what it is like to go up there.

I will ask, have u been tested for EDS?

And may I ask y, u need the decompression again?Just curious as to what is going on and what the dx is.......was it brain slump?

  "selma"