Aortic Aneurysms – Introduce yourself & meet others

Usually, the surgery won’t be scheduled until aneurysm is 5. This is because of the surgical risks and I think Medicare and other insurance companies won’t pay until then. In the meantime, don’t worry about it but have it checked. Mayo checks on mine yearly with either a CT or an MRI. Best to you!

I went to a Surgeon today about my dilated aneurysm. He blew it off and said radiographer calls anything over 3cm a dilation and mine is 3.4.. my concern is it’s new. This was just check last month and it was in normal range. I was still hurting in they checked again in found it had dilated there.
He had no answer for why it had changed.

Hello,
Sounds like the car accident may have saved your life indirectly. Ask more questions of your current Cardiologist. I'm going to guess they screened you in an ER and the Cardiologist is one that was there at the hospital, not one you selected. My Family Doctor referred me to my Cardiologist. He is great. And it took two of them to get one I am happy with. Talk to your Family Doctor and tell him of your diagnosis and ask for a referral. Maybe get a couple of referrals and select the one best for you. Nice thing is your the Cardiologist you select can copy your Family Doctor on test and visit results and have a better idea of your total health.

All the best.

Bruce
Texas

Hi, i was in a car accident in april this year, they found a 4.5 thoracic aortic aneurysm during tests, i am female and 53 years young, im not happy with the cardiovascular doctor i have here, i ask questions but vague answers, just wanting to talk with others with this situation

Thanks for addressing this specialty. I had a dicecting aneurism 22 years ago. It healed without an operation. But I lost half of the intestines and one kidney and almost did not make it. Had a very good doctor to put it all back together. The aneurism is close to the heart in a difficult position. It is 6.1 cm by now and high
risk to operate on. I have no symptoms, and as long as it stays this way and it is being checked every 3 to 6 month I should be ok for a while. Will see two cardiologists next week. See what the outcome is. When the time comes I have to go to one of the hospitals that is able to perform this operation.
Cedars is 3 hours to drive for me or Mayo Scottsdale 4 hours. Is there anybody in a similar predicament?

Thank you so much for this information. I will call my vascular surgeons office tomorrow. I know I will be less anixious about it if he gives me the reason why he didn't want to see me more. Now that I know someone else who had this done sees there surgeon I won't feel like I'm whining when I ask about it. Thanks again.

Hello,
I had my Aortic Aneurysm repaired in 2005. Had follow-ups with the surgeon many times in the first year. Then I would do a CT every year. After that it was just follow-up with Cardiologist. I am going to assume you the Surgeon and Cardiologist are two different Doctors as was in my case. You should see your Cardiologist and set up a check-up plan that you are comfortable with. I had my Aortic Valve replaced this January. Had 2 follow ups with the Surgeon and shook hands. Just last month had my 6 month post-op follow up with Cardiologist. I'll see them again in 6 months. My Family (Primary Care) Doctor monitors my Blood Pressure, giving updates to the Cardiologist, I'm good with this. Hope this gives you some ideas.

All the best.

Bruce
Texas

I have a question about after the AAA surgery, I had my first and only check one month after my surgery the Dr. Said. See you in 5 years . is this the normal amount of time between visits . in the repair he had to remove the aneurysm and sew up the open part of the aorta. Could the thread or material used break over time? Anyone that has had a AAA please let me know how. Often you saw the Dr. after surgery. Thank you kdh1

Hi to All ! I am new to this group and am very interested to all of the posts. In late 2015 an aneurysm was accidentally found that was 3.5 and last month a CT showed it to be 4.8. I am trying to decide what kind of Dr.to go to. I also may consider Mayo in Florida. I have seen good recommendations for Mayo in MN.
I have diabetes and autoimmune thyroid disease., controlled with meds. Am presently and for the past 3 yrs have been dealing with back issues. I have had all the injections, nerves burned, surgery and the pain will not go away.I am not able to exercise any more. I feel that most of my issues were caused due to the back issue as I was very active and a 3 mile a day walker. Right now, I am a hot mess. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks

Rochester is a very user friendly town. Caters to patient needs. Mayo is awesome to work with. They are great at juggling appointments to help out the out of town patients. Mayo has been #1 in Cardiac for many years.