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Operation EVAR
Hello Ladies and Gentlemen:
I am 77 years old, in good shape, with an aortic aneurysm measuring 4.8 to 5.3 cm, depending on the vascular surgeon measuring it. At any rate I am relying on Dr. Black at Johns Hopkins who says it is 5.3.
I am scheduled to go into the hospital on July 3 for the operation. Dr. Black says, "No sweat Nick, you will be out the next day, and playing golf in two weeks. After my consult with Dr. Black, Johns Hopkins sent me a video explaining the procedure. The video was straight forward about the procedure. Then it explained the complications. I have to admit the complications scare the shit out of me. The complications reminded me of when I was in Vietnam. I was a helicopter pilot making combat assaults. The intelligence guys would come in before the mission and say "On final approach you can expect 50 Caliber machine gun fire, when you slow down to land you can expect rocket propelled grenades coming at you and when you land to let out your troops there will be little people in pith helmets with AK-47s shooting at your helicopter." Anyway, I am worried. I needed to get this off my chest. I will try to let you all know the outcome.
Nick
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Wish you all the best !
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2 ReactionsTry not to stress !! You’ve got this!!
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1 ReactionLove your attitude and humor. These simple procedures (sure, if want to believe that) come with our real and imagined worries. I say what’s the alternative? Got to trust you’ll be on the golf course lickity split. I had open heart four-way bypass surgery four years ago where the surgeon also found my aneurysm and now I’m scheduled to see another surgeon to fix my clogged carotid artery. Sounds simple like router rootering a drain but it’s connected to so many other things. I’m 77, still walk upright and know my name. I just keep skipping and humming.
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3 ReactionsI had a similar sized aortic aneurysm and underwent a 'modified Yacoub' procedure the end of Feb. It was a big deal (I an 65) for me and I had a host of post-op complications including AFIB, but when my heart was beating normally, I felt decent... At 2 weeks post op, I was walking 10k steps/day, at 4 weeks it was 15k steps but expect to be very tired after any exertion. I am at 14 weeks post op and am out doing pretty much everything I did pre-op including weights, hiking and biking. Be patient, dude... you don't want to be that guy that strained his incision too soon and has to go back to get your chest repaired as that will reset your recovery back to t=0... Good luck!
That surgeon sounds a bit optimistic but that may be his experience with his patients in good physical health.
A diabetic elderly cousin in bad shape just had this surgery by a Mayo trained surgeon in a community hospital (yup!?!?). He is doing well; was home within a week; no complications. So best wishes to you! Focus on the good! Keep us posted!!