Choices

Four weeks ago I was diagnosed with bicuspid aortic valve and aortic aneurysm 5.2 CM. Arch and descending aorta are normal. Aortic regurgitation is not present; aortic stenosis is moderate. Pulmonic and tricuspid valves are normal. No pericardic or pleural effusion. I feel fine except for shortness of breath. I've been told I can get surgery done in late August (highly respected surgeon). I have 3 questions.
1. The surgeon is highly rated, but the hospital is rated Poor for infection control. Would I be wise to stick with the surgeon regardless of how the hospital is rated or seek another surgeon in a higher rated hospital? Hospital and physician is covered by medicare/current insurance plan, but physician outside of plan insurance pays 50%.

2. I read a 2007 review that recommends stentless surgery for active aduts (I'm 66 and play USTA tennis). My surgeon has recommended a pig stented valve. Stentless or stented?

3. Would traveling by plane be risky if I choose to go out of state for the surgery?  

[FLBrat]

Is there only one surgeon and one hospital in your area that medicare/current insurance covers?  I know I would not want to be somewhere I could pick up some nasty bacteria.  That MRSA stuff is bad news.

[Diski]

There are several hospitals in the area, two rated very highly, but the surgeon I've chosen may not have rights at those hospitals. I'm not sure I could afford the surgeon fees if not within my PPO.

[FLBrat]

I know the feeling about fees and PPOs.  I told the clinic when the bill came that any repair they had made to my heart was kaput when the main bill got to me.  Lucky for me, I have two insurance coverages and had little money out of pocket.

[Thatch]

You have some good lead time to prepare for this and there are a number of things you can do to protect yourself. Operating theaters should be a sterile environment so if you take steps for the period of time that you are hospitalised during the beguinning of the recovery period you will be fine. I highly recommend that you get a copy of the latest edition of Prescription For Nutritional Healing and read the  section on Preparing for and Recovering from Surgery. It lists things to avoid before and things to help you heal quicker after the surgery. Health food stores and book stores should sell this and it is a very handy thing to have around in any case. Besides, the quicker you heal up the sooner the pain goes away.

Thatch

[Momto3]

There is a website dedicated to informaiton and resources regarding heart valves.  Search "valve replacement" and it should come up (3rd or 4th on the list).  It is a support source for poeple affected by valve surgery.  You should be able to get a lot of information and support on the site.  

[Diski]

Thank you. I will definitely check out these resources. I'm not looking forward to the surgery, but am looking forward to getting back to an active lifestyle. I'm grateful that there are people like you who are willing to help someone facing a difficult surgery for the first time. I feel less alone.

[Thatch]

Every person that I know who has that book has found at least one thing in it that has improved their life. It is an exellent general health resource and a new edition has just been released. I haven't gotten one yet, but I have been using it since I bought the 1sr edition in 1991 and so far have only found one thing to be false and that was corrected in the second edition. The edition you want is the fourth. The same publisher also puts out "The Avery Complete Guide to Medicines" comprehensive guide to over 6,000 prescription and over-the-counter drugs,herbs,and supplements and their interactions.
It is nice having good books. I can't always remember things that don't directly affect me and mine, and I have friends and relatives all over the country have me put together nutritional packages for them. I always stress for them not to trust me and double and triple check things for themselves.
One thing that I do want to tell you is that it is going to be a given that you will be pumped full of at least one type of antbiotic. You are going to need a good probiotic to keep up the flora in your gut. When you shop for one be sure and get one that has eneric coating so the the bacteria gets delivered to where it is needed. Make that 2 things. I don't often run across this so you probably won't. To help you heal get some Homeopathic Arnica Montana. You take it 30 minutes before or after anything but water and let 5 melt under your toungue, 3 times a day. You will find out about L-Glutamine and other good stuff in the book.
All anti-oxidants are anti-inflammitories. Get some good ones.

Thatch

[Thatch]

Every person that I know who has that book has found at least one thing in it that has improved their life. It is an exellent general health resource and a new edition has just been released. I haven't gotten one yet, but I have been using it since I bought the 1sr edition in 1991 and so far have only found one thing to be false and that was corrected in the second edition. The edition you want is the fourth. The same publisher also puts out "The Avery Complete Guide to Medicines" comprehensive guide to over 6,000 prescription and over-the-counter drugs,herbs,and supplements and their interactions.
It is nice having good books. I can't always remember things that don't directly affect me and mine, and I have friends and relatives all over the country have me put together nutritional packages for them. I always stress for them not to trust me and double and triple check things for themselves.
One thing that I do want to tell you is that it is going to be a given that you will be pumped full of at least one type of antbiotic. You are going to need a good probiotic to keep up the flora in your gut. When you shop for one be sure and get one that has enteric coating so the the bacteria gets delivered to where it is needed. Make that 2 things. I don't often run across this so you probably won't. To help you heal get some Homeopathic Arnica Montana. You take it 30 minutes before or after anything but water and let 5 melt under your toungue, 3 times a day. You will find out about L-Glutamine and other good stuff in the book.
All anti-oxidants are anti-inflammitories. Get some good ones.

Thatch