← Return to Abdominal aortic aneurysm: How did you do with AAA surgery?

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@davidfs

67 former smoker 6' 4" 220 lb good condition walk 5 miles a day, was going about my normal life, and had just finished hauling 5 tons of sand and block for a patio project up 3 flights of stairs (disadvantage of a house on the side of a hill). I went in for an abdominal ultrasound, just routine screening for AAA per my doctor. Imagine my surprise when I received a rather excited phone call from my doctor telling me I had a 7.1X6.1 cm aneurysm, and was given a schedule with a vascular surgeon for THE NEXT DAY! Had CT scan with contrast,a week later, aneurysm was determined to be 7.3X7.1 cm. Enlarging? More accurate technique?. Had stress test that day, cleared for surgery (endoscopic) , now scheduled for 2 weeks from now. Don't know that I have any questions, though I do have worries, mostly about disabilities. Have been assured that if all goes well within a few days I can go back to splitting firewood and shoveling manure. Crikey!.

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Replies to "67 former smoker 6' 4" 220 lb good condition walk 5 miles a day, was going..."

Hello @davidfs and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I can certainly imagine your concern as you most likely felt well and didn't have any idea that this aneurysm existed before the ultrasound.

Here is an article from Mayo Clinic's website about AAA, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/abdominal-aortic-aneurysm/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350693. This explains the different types of surgeries. Will you be having endovascular surgery rather than open surgery?