The Patient's Guide To Heart Valve Surgery

Adam - Thanks for sharing your story, and for all the research you have done. For years I have thought of myself as one of the healthiest people I know. In the past 10 years I have missed only one day of work due to sickness. I breezed through a late life pregnancy, delivering a healthy baby boy at age 41. Menopause was only a minor nuisance, and unlike the majority of Americans I have been able to remain in my correct weight range. Last year my self perception drastically changed at age 59 when I learned of a congenital birth defect, a bicuspid aortic valve. I went to the doctor's office for a sinus infection, and walked out with an appointment for an EKG and with a cardiologist. The astute Physician Assistant not only detected a heart murmur, which I had been told for years was "nothing to worry about," but also suspected correctly that there was something to worry about. This years annual appointment with my cardiologist included a TEE, transesoghageal electrocardiogram, which revealed that my aortic root is dilated, a potentially life-threatening condition.

At first I was angry...why me of all people? I have done everything right. I follow a very healthy diet, don't smoke, and live an active lifestyle. I wondered if it might not have been better to not find out. After all, ignorance truly is bliss. After a serious talk with myself, I realize that knowing gives me the opportunity to research the surgery, the doctors, the hospitals, and to find out what to expect. Thanks Adam, for helping me do my homework. My cardiologist tells me I'm like a green banana ... Not ready for surgery. But if and when I am, I know where I am going to go, who my surgeon will be, and thanks to Adam I know what to expect. Thanks Adam!

I absorbed this in one afternoon but will using this as a guide to my upcoming mitral valve replacement surgery in July. I wanted to know and at the same time didn’t want to know . . .

Thank you to Adam and the many contributors ❤️

I just wanted Say I'm 44 years old and just had my second Aortic valve replaced, and had an Aortic Aneurysm repaired. The replacement took place February 29th 2016 at Robert Wood Johnson Hospital, New Brunswick NJ. My first surgery took place in 2003 and I opted for a pig valve. This time around I chose the cow valve. This book wasn't out for me and my first surgery but I did purchase it about 2 weeks before my second surgery. Everything Adam wrote in his book was on the money!!!! The 2 things that I can reiterate is 1. Get your second and third opinions. The two doctors I met were referred by friends in the field. They were both unbelievable, but my decision came down to timing. And chose Dr. Leonard Lee. He was Awesome!!!!
The second thing I want to say is you have to be cool to your caregivers, they're there to help you in ICU until you get out of recovery. These people will keep you comfortable. My caregivers were the best!!!!!
Great book Adam!!!