1. < Aortic Aneurysms

Thoracic aortic aneurysm: Anyone had surgery?

Posted by jbsb93 @jbsb93, Jul 28, 2011

I was born with a hole in my heart and have had 2 surgeries. One to fix hole and the other a valve replacement. I've been recently told the I have a thoracic aneurysm and possibly will need more surgery.. Anyone gone th ru this before??

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Aortic Aneurysms Support Group.

morninglory | @morninglory | Jun 23, 2017
In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi @michellr I'm so sorry to hear how stressful this is for you and hope you..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

Hi @michellr
I'm so sorry to hear how stressful this is for you and hope you are taking measures to manage the stress.

As for getting treatment at the Mayo Clinic, Dr. Pochettino, an aortic surgery expert at Mayo would be happy to review your records to understand your situation and determine what type of cardiac surgery needs to be performed. To begin this process, please call Dr. Pochettino's patient appointment secretary, Hope Nesbit at 507-255-2000. After determining what type of surgery is needed, Ms Nesbit will connect you to our business office to speak about insurance options.

Here's a video Dr. Pochettino made explaining what patients need to know about aortic surgery https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3plTqJ9E4s

Here's a quick read about the The 4 A's when you find yourself stressing - Avoid, Alter, Accept and Adapt - http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-relief/art-20044476?pg=1

I hope this helps. Keep talking with us. You're not alone.

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Dr. Pochettino is the BEST!!! Relax, follow his instructions and you will be feeling much better sooner than you think. Had my surgery last July and am 78 years into this life. If I can do it so can you. We are all much tougher than we think we are........be positive!. Life is most interesting, I love old Mom Nature so much and that alone helped me. We are so fortunate to be here. How else can we get our country back on track? We need you!! Get it done and start writing petitions like the rest of us. You will belong to a club. Anytime someone catches a glimpse of your scar they will welcome you to "the club". Do relax, all will be fine. Ask me anything you wish about the Dr. or the surgery or both.

REPLY
morninglory | @morninglory | Jun 23, 2017
In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi @michellr I'm so sorry to hear how stressful this is for you and hope you..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

Hi @michellr
I'm so sorry to hear how stressful this is for you and hope you are taking measures to manage the stress.

As for getting treatment at the Mayo Clinic, Dr. Pochettino, an aortic surgery expert at Mayo would be happy to review your records to understand your situation and determine what type of cardiac surgery needs to be performed. To begin this process, please call Dr. Pochettino's patient appointment secretary, Hope Nesbit at 507-255-2000. After determining what type of surgery is needed, Ms Nesbit will connect you to our business office to speak about insurance options.

Here's a video Dr. Pochettino made explaining what patients need to know about aortic surgery https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3plTqJ9E4s

Here's a quick read about the The 4 A's when you find yourself stressing - Avoid, Alter, Accept and Adapt - http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-relief/art-20044476?pg=1

I hope this helps. Keep talking with us. You're not alone.

Jump to this post

By the way, was only in ICU 2days and left hospital in 4 days. Live alone so had something they call "swing bed" at my local hospital and was home in 5days. If you live alone make sure you sign up for the in home health care for a couple of weeks. Didn't really need it but for once I gave in to commonsense and had that service for about 3 weeks. Going back to heavy duty weight lifting soon should have been there months ago but broke ankle during my recovery time. That broken ankle was WORSE than my heart surgery!! Can't find my first answer to you, hope it didn't get lost somewhere is digital world. Just want to make sure that you know Dr. Pochettino is the BEST!!!

REPLY
Janean | @janean | Jun 24, 2017
In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi @michellr I'm so sorry to hear how stressful this is for you and hope you..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

Hi @michellr
I'm so sorry to hear how stressful this is for you and hope you are taking measures to manage the stress.

As for getting treatment at the Mayo Clinic, Dr. Pochettino, an aortic surgery expert at Mayo would be happy to review your records to understand your situation and determine what type of cardiac surgery needs to be performed. To begin this process, please call Dr. Pochettino's patient appointment secretary, Hope Nesbit at 507-255-2000. After determining what type of surgery is needed, Ms Nesbit will connect you to our business office to speak about insurance options.

Here's a video Dr. Pochettino made explaining what patients need to know about aortic surgery https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3plTqJ9E4s

Here's a quick read about the The 4 A's when you find yourself stressing - Avoid, Alter, Accept and Adapt - http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-relief/art-20044476?pg=1

I hope this helps. Keep talking with us. You're not alone.

Jump to this post

I can't thank you enough for your reply. I am starting to gain a little confidence about the surgery. I had the first surgery in 2013, an 18" incision down my back. There were a lot of complications and pain. After 6 months I was ready to leave this world. Obviously, I made it but don't want a repeat. Mayos sounds like right choice this time. Thanks again.

REPLY
Janean | @janean | Jun 24, 2017
In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi @michellr I'm so sorry to hear how stressful this is for you and hope you..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

Hi @michellr
I'm so sorry to hear how stressful this is for you and hope you are taking measures to manage the stress.

As for getting treatment at the Mayo Clinic, Dr. Pochettino, an aortic surgery expert at Mayo would be happy to review your records to understand your situation and determine what type of cardiac surgery needs to be performed. To begin this process, please call Dr. Pochettino's patient appointment secretary, Hope Nesbit at 507-255-2000. After determining what type of surgery is needed, Ms Nesbit will connect you to our business office to speak about insurance options.

Here's a video Dr. Pochettino made explaining what patients need to know about aortic surgery https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3plTqJ9E4s

Here's a quick read about the The 4 A's when you find yourself stressing - Avoid, Alter, Accept and Adapt - http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-relief/art-20044476?pg=1

I hope this helps. Keep talking with us. You're not alone.

Jump to this post

Thank you so much for your reply. I didn't know a total arch replacement is a possibility. I am beginning to have hope and feel like I have a good chance. Thanks again.

REPLY
Kanaaz Pereira, Connect Moderator | @kanaazpereira | Jun 24, 2017
In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi @michellr I'm so sorry to hear how stressful this is for you and hope you..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

Hi @michellr
I'm so sorry to hear how stressful this is for you and hope you are taking measures to manage the stress.

As for getting treatment at the Mayo Clinic, Dr. Pochettino, an aortic surgery expert at Mayo would be happy to review your records to understand your situation and determine what type of cardiac surgery needs to be performed. To begin this process, please call Dr. Pochettino's patient appointment secretary, Hope Nesbit at 507-255-2000. After determining what type of surgery is needed, Ms Nesbit will connect you to our business office to speak about insurance options.

Here's a video Dr. Pochettino made explaining what patients need to know about aortic surgery https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3plTqJ9E4s

Here's a quick read about the The 4 A's when you find yourself stressing - Avoid, Alter, Accept and Adapt - http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-relief/art-20044476?pg=1

I hope this helps. Keep talking with us. You're not alone.

Jump to this post

Hello @janean,

Welcome to Connect; we're so glad to have you join us. I'd also like to thank @crhp194 and @morningglory for their valuable responses.

Here's another discussion that you may wish to view:
I am 50. At 13 I had a coarctation of the aorta repaired http://mayocl.in/2sCgKTC

I’m tagging members @ch246cf10 @jend @michellr who can share their experiences and provide some guidance and thoughts.
And, while we wait for others to join this discussion, here’s a video that Dr. Pochettino made explaining what patients need to know about aortic surgery:
http://mayocl.in/2rNCzN7

Keep talking with us. You’re not alone.

REPLY
Janean | @janean | Jun 26, 2017
In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi @michellr I'm so sorry to hear how stressful this is for you and hope you..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

Hi @michellr
I'm so sorry to hear how stressful this is for you and hope you are taking measures to manage the stress.

As for getting treatment at the Mayo Clinic, Dr. Pochettino, an aortic surgery expert at Mayo would be happy to review your records to understand your situation and determine what type of cardiac surgery needs to be performed. To begin this process, please call Dr. Pochettino's patient appointment secretary, Hope Nesbit at 507-255-2000. After determining what type of surgery is needed, Ms Nesbit will connect you to our business office to speak about insurance options.

Here's a video Dr. Pochettino made explaining what patients need to know about aortic surgery https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3plTqJ9E4s

Here's a quick read about the The 4 A's when you find yourself stressing - Avoid, Alter, Accept and Adapt - http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-relief/art-20044476?pg=1

I hope this helps. Keep talking with us. You're not alone.

Jump to this post

You can't imagine how much I appreciate Connect and what it has done to alleviate the fear and uncertainty of facing this surgery in August.

REPLY
Rev.PBR | @pbr420 | Aug 22, 2017

My mother passed away at the age of 37 of a sudden Thoracic aortic aneurysm. Otherwise I'm good health. My question is 'Has anyone else had anything like this happen in their family and what, if any warning signs are, and how to catch one early.

REPLY
1 reply
Kanaaz Pereira, Connect Moderator | @kanaazpereira | Aug 22, 2017

Welcome to Connect, Rev.PBR @pbr420,

I realize you must be quite worried, and moved your message to this discussion thread about thoracic aortic aneurysms, so that you can meet fellow members @grandmajan @ch246cf10 @michellr @HeartPatches @jimmorris900 @janean @morningglory. I encourage you to read through the messages in this discussion forum to see some of the experiences and tips they've shared.

Here's some information from Mayo Clinic as well: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/thoracic-aortic-aneurysm/home/ovc-20122021

@pbr420, It is natural to feel afraid, but as you will read throughout the discussion, it is a condition that many people live well with. What is your main fear or concern at the moment? Have you spoken with your doctor about this?

REPLY
3 replies
morninglory | @morninglory | Aug 22, 2017
In reply to @pbr420 "My mother passed away at the age of 37 of a sudden Thoracic aortic aneurysm. Otherwise..." + (show)
@pbr420

My mother passed away at the age of 37 of a sudden Thoracic aortic aneurysm. Otherwise I'm good health. My question is 'Has anyone else had anything like this happen in their family and what, if any warning signs are, and how to catch one early.

Jump to this post

It would be best if you saw a cardiologist and be confident that your situation can be handled safely. I have had a aortic aneurysm and the surgery for repair. I felt so confident of my thoracic surgeons ability I never even considered there would be any problems. And there were not! That was a year ago and I'm doing just fine at 79 years old. You will be fine also and you have youth on your side, so it will be even a faster recovery for you. So make your appointment and go forward with experts. I had mine at Mayo in Rochester, Mn by Dr. A. Pochettino, he is Mr. Wonderful!

REPLY
lisaannhicks | @lisaannhicks | Sep 7, 2017
In reply to @kanaazpereira "Welcome to Connect, Rev.PBR @pbr420, I realize you must be quite worried, and moved your message..." + (show)
@kanaazpereira

Welcome to Connect, Rev.PBR @pbr420,

I realize you must be quite worried, and moved your message to this discussion thread about thoracic aortic aneurysms, so that you can meet fellow members @grandmajan @ch246cf10 @michellr @HeartPatches @jimmorris900 @janean @morningglory. I encourage you to read through the messages in this discussion forum to see some of the experiences and tips they've shared.

Here's some information from Mayo Clinic as well: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/thoracic-aortic-aneurysm/home/ovc-20122021

@pbr420, It is natural to feel afraid, but as you will read throughout the discussion, it is a condition that many people live well with. What is your main fear or concern at the moment? Have you spoken with your doctor about this?

Jump to this post

My ascending TAA was diagnosed at the end of 11/2016 measuring at a 4.2 cm. In June 2017 it was a 4.6 cm. Today 9/7/17 I have been hurting pretty bad with sharp pains between my shoulder blades. I have been to the ER where they tell me-"if you had dissected you wouldn't be sitting here". I think it has grown more and I know my body- that something is wrong. This sharp pain is not normal. I don't know who to turn to. I've put a call in to my cardiologist and surgeon. I feel like to them I am a liability- like they are waiting until it's as close to 5 as possible to avoid a lawsuit if something goes wrong. I am raising my 4 yr old grand daughter. I'm trying to be proactive and positive but this can be so frustrating. Can anyone tell me where I can go that does is much more knowledgeable about aneurysms?

REPLY
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