Early surgery: Can I get aortic aneurysm repair before it's 5.0?

I learned about Ibuprofen from my rheumatologist, not my cardiologist. I intend to bring this up with him when I see him in March. I've read that caffeine can be harmful as well, so I drink decaf coffee in hope that will be okay.

Depending on your age and many variables including body surface area, height, weight, vessel patency, etc., contribute to risk of dissection. My husband’s medical center described a 4.3 cm aneurysm on a CT scan in 2007. He was not told about it but the comment was that this was normal for his height and weight. In the meantime, he continued with all sorts of very heavy lifting and other “risky” activities.
In 2021 a subsequent ECHO and CT angiogram with contrast show a 4.8 cm aneurysm. In May 2023, it had not changed.
He has been followed carefully, including ruling out vasculitis, and he has been advised to keep his BP low; not lift more than 30 lbs; etc..
We hope that this never gets to over 5.0 - or possibly 5.5. It is an individual decision as to when to operate. You want a high volume aortic aneurysm center.

I agree with you. I'd much rather get it over with now.

I’m 81, in good health, and very active. I am more interested in getting the repair done now so that I can resume a full life, rather than waiting until I get feeble and less likely to have a good result when they eventually open me up for repair. I am much more willing to accept the risk of the surgery now than I will be 10 years down the road. I know--it might never even require surgery--in which case, I can continue my life of "moderate exercise" until my number is finally up. Not interested.
I’m a veteran, and going thru the VA, plus I have medical insurance thru United Health Care, they tell me they have to follow the rules laid out by some mental moron, who never met me or seen my health records
Does anyone know a top surgeon willing to talk with me about getting this done now or soon?
By the way, I'm located in Milwaukee Wi.,

Well, I’m 71 and I feel exactly like you. I’m not want to wait around.

I’m 80 and have a 4.75 AAA and will do nothing different than just play it out. I know I might sound tuff however i’ve seen so many people go through the agony of surgery and everything that follows and I don’t believe at this age, it’s worth trying to squeeze a few more years. I’ll just thank the Lord for what I’ve had just one simple man’s opinion.

I’m 86 with a 5.0 AAA and I feel exactly the same way. about avoiding surgery. There is likely not that many years left and I’ve had a great life thus far - I really don’t want to waste several months of living due to recovery from major cardiac surgery. My surgeon says two months recovery, I’ve read it could be 6 months or longer. Prefer to roll the dice, enjoy the time I have remaining, pray that the AAA doesn’t grow and if it does, at least I know the end will be quick.

This is getting serious, folks. Surgery at 50, even with a tough recovery, is way different than horrific surgery at 80+. I'm 79 and had back surgery 15 years ago for a ruptured disc. I was told I'd have a 6 week recovery. It was a year before I was walking without a limp. I think when you don't know what to do, don't do anything. When you know, you'll know.

You’re right…I strongly agree! I have a few other issues that were due to previous medical procedures that went awry and can’t be fixed now that were life altering and not nearly as serious as an open-heart procedure… For me, I’m done with surgery!