Had a large thoracic aorta aneurysm (6+) repaired at Mayo in May 2016 plus a total arch replacement plus one bypass by Dr Pochettino. Wonderful Doctor and by my result, a real expert. I am 72, had no complications and felt like the old me after 6 weeks. I cannot recommend Dr Pochettino enough and thankful to him for saving my life. At home in an area of about 100,000 population, there wasn't a doctor who could do an arch replacement. Mayo and its doctors are the best.

Good to hear. When my aneurysm was discovered there weren't any local Doctors experienced with my unique condition, and I had to travel to where the experience practiced. All we can do as patients is our homework. You did yours and it paid off. All the best to you.

Bruce
Texas

Welcome to Connect @crhp194. Thanks for the ringing endorsement of Mayo and its professional care team. As Bruce said, we have to our homework and find the experienced and the best.

How is your recovery going? You said you felt like the old you after 6 weeks, but are there changes that you've introduced to the old you, like diet or activity, perhaps attitude?

THank you, Bruce! Mayo did their part bu seeing the need for almost immediate surgery and scheduled it quickly.

I have dealt with some depression but my solution toward depression which I have had for a good share of my life is to keep busy. I have had some trouble sleeping and that's where depression crops up for me. As for positive things, I am working very hard to walk every day at least 30 minutes.

My Aneurysm surgery was in 2005. It was very invasive at that time (lots of cutting), and my first operation was in 1978, so my 2005 recovery was slow due to the scar tissue removal of ~24 years delta between the procedures. You feel kind of helpless and out of control the way your body failed, and now depend on others who a few days before were total strangers. I worked on my hobbies for a few months while on the mend. There has to be something you enjoy where you can focus on it while you heal. That will give you something positive to look forward too. Maybe this will help with your depression . Old coins, stamps, etc. Go to a show related to your hobby, like a Coin or Stamp show. Mingle a bit. Keep your chin up!

Bruce
Texas

Glad to see your post. I am 67 yrs old and underwent a bypass surgery with Aortic Valve replacement 14 yrs ago. Now I have been recommended to have surgery for an enlarged Aortic Aneurysm (5.7CM) and replacement of Aortic Valve with a mechanical valve. They may also redo some bypasses. Have visited Dr. Nishimura and Dr Pochettino recently. Concerned about length of surgery and the post op care and the risk associated. I am generally in good health and have no other health issues. Any comments and opinions welcome.

Hello,
Your situation is similar to mine, a good amount of time between procedures. Your body has probably formed some scar tissue that has manifested itself on your chest cavity around the areas cut on. They will have to deal with this to get to the items needing repair. For instance my Aorta had fused itself to my Esophagus(sp). I was confused when they couldn't give me a definitive time of how long the surgery would take. The variable was scar tissue, and each persons body responds differently. In-fact they knew at the time my Aortic Valve was leaking and only had 2 leaflets, where normal is 3. Just fixing the Aneurysm was all they had time to do. So today, I have a perfect Aorta, and will some day have to contend with the valve. If your left lung gets collapsed during the procedure for additional room for the Dr. to work, do all the treatments and rehab to rejuvenate the lung. Try your hardest. If you don't it may not fully return. I'm dealing with a 50%+ reduction in lung capacity due to my two surgeries. I'm not sure I did all I could do to prevent this.

All the best.
Bruce

Thanks for your detailed response. Very helpful Couple of quick questions , if u don't mind.
Where did u have your surgery and how long was it? How was the Post Op and how long was your total stay in hospital? Thanks again for your very helpful response. Will keep my fingers crossed re my surgery.

Hello,
My first surgery was 1978 Montefura(sp) in New York City(We lived upstate New York, why I ended up there. I was 13 years old. Have no idea the procedure time, I was in the hospital for about 1.5 weeks.
My 2nd surgery was 2005, Memorial Herman, Houston Texas. Live ~200 miles away and the Cardiac Center has lots of recognition. I was lucky to be near well qualified help. My age was 49 years old. Surgery was about 5 hours, in Cardiac ICU for 2 days, and Cardiac Recovery for 18 days. First two days was like learning how to live again. I was cut radially following the rib-line, and one rib was removed permanently to allow the dr. sufficient room for doing the aneurysm repair. When they opened me up it was one big matted mess of scar tissue and organs. This was probably the major time consumer. The delta between the first surgery in 1978 and then allowed my body to grow lots of scar tissue. The extended stay at the hospital was due to my chest drainage not letting up. I had lots of incisions inside of me and they were all draining. This was not normal. I would think this would be different for you.
Couldn't eat or swallow for 7 days after the surgery. Had me on TPN(Total Parental Nutrition) IV and I was never hungry. Wish I had an IV of that stuff at home for long movies like Dances With Wolves!
This surgery was the single most difficult task I have accomplished in my life.

Keep your chin up.

Sincerely,
Bruce