Bentall procedure: Anyone had it done? What to expect?

Posted by partyon @partyon, Dec 23, 2023

Currently have it scheduled wondering how come is this procedure and any advice never had surgery before

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Profile picture for smarsili @smarsili

Hi FJ, Tom,

I am having it done at the Mayo Clinic. So far everything that I have experienced there is top notch. very thorough and the staff is very outgoing.

Tom My aneurysm is actually of the Sinus of the Valsalva. I have written down the Valve and graft info.

Thank you for your input, it is very helpful.
FJ when are you having this done?
God Bless you both
Steve

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I’m to have another CT scan and then meet with the doctor to discuss timeline. I’m currently going to Mayo in Jacksonville. But, I’m wondering if I should go to Mayo Rochester or Cleveland Clinic?

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Profile picture for fjc1962 @fjc1962

I’m to have another CT scan and then meet with the doctor to discuss timeline. I’m currently going to Mayo in Jacksonville. But, I’m wondering if I should go to Mayo Rochester or Cleveland Clinic?

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I am having it done at Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, I can't say enough about how thorough they are as well as outgoing.
I haven't met anyone that is not friendly or approachable with questions.

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Profile picture for partyon @partyon

Just got everything scheduled last week for Feb so only know what I found on the internet and the Mayo site

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Hey friend, how did it go? How are you doing today?

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Profile picture for jdgreene2008 @jdgreene2008

I had it done in August of last year for an ascending aortic aneurysm and dilated aortic root. It was an open heart surgery so it involves opening your chest. You'll probably be put on a heart-lung machine to circulate blood since the blood flow through your aorta at the site of the surgery has to be cutoff. I don't remember anything about the surgery itself but was sedated for a day afterwards and woke up in the cardiac ICU unit the next day. I thought it was still the same day of the surgery lol. So the sedation was pretty powerful.

You won't feel anything during the procedure since you'll receive general anesthesia. But when you wake-up you'll probably be intubated and have sternal wires and tubes in your chest to drain any excess fluid. My tubes were taken out about 2 days after surgery if I recall. I was also doing assisted walks up and down the hallway on day 2 after the surgery. Each individual is different so some may need more or less time before they recover enough to walk with assistance.

My surgery was 8/9 and I left the hospital on 8/15. I was admitted on 8/4 because the CT scan revealed the size of my aneurysm as 8.8 cm. My admission was the same day as the CT scan since it was in a critical size.

There will be some pain in the early recovery days depending on your tolerance since you will have just had your chest cut open. It took me 6 weeks after the surgery before I was cleared to drive again.

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Hey there. How are you doing today after everything?

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Profile picture for davidtrey @davidtrey

Hey there. How are you doing today after everything?

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Hey doing great! My endurance has improved a lot to the point where I have been able to run some times I ran in my 20's. Valve seems to be doing great. Still very audible.

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I am really glad that I ended up with a large Edwards bovine bioprosthetic valve and conduit. I only take an 81mg Bayer asprin and it is quiet. It should last at least 15 years and can be repaired if necessary by TEVAR.

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Profile picture for fjc1962 @fjc1962

I’m to have another CT scan and then meet with the doctor to discuss timeline. I’m currently going to Mayo in Jacksonville. But, I’m wondering if I should go to Mayo Rochester or Cleveland Clinic?

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Have completed hours of research and it seems that Cleveland Clinic may be the best option? I have researched both and decided on C.C. 9/16 for consultation w/surgeon. Was effortless obtaining an appointment.

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Profile picture for bobjoseph @bobjoseph

Have completed hours of research and it seems that Cleveland Clinic may be the best option? I have researched both and decided on C.C. 9/16 for consultation w/surgeon. Was effortless obtaining an appointment.

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I’m about at that decision as well, even though it’s a good distance from Jacksonville. What surgeon are you seeing?

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Dr. Marijan Kopravanac was chosen by C.C apparently due to my circumstances - aortic root and ascending aneurysms. He is partner with the Chief of Thoracic Endovascular surgeries (think I got that right). Fed Ex delivered my instructions today. C.C. has provided me with phone numbers for 3 hotels and transportation schedules. Now onto flight reservations - one overnight. Can't say enough how C.C. handled this! Best of luck!

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Bentall's here.
I was an emergency. 6.5cm asc aneurysm. Full length aortic dissection. Dissected into the root and the valve.
Open heart. Full bypass. Heart/lung machine.
5 days ICU. 2 weeks hospital (my liver shut down).
Intubated. Sternal tubes and wires.
My story is on here if you look.
I put up my list of recovery tips. My preparation tips list is everything I should have done if I had time.
But I only had 12 minutes to get to the hospital. Like a bat outa hell an angel drove me there.
Saved my life.
Ask me questions. Everyone does.

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