Welcome to the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) group on Mayo Clinic Connect – a place where you can connect with others, learn about living HCM, share experiences and exchange useful information.
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I’m Colleen, and I’m the moderator of this group, and Community Director of Connect. I look forwarding to welcoming you and introducing you to other members.
Why not start by introducing yourself here?
Yes, Dr. Said is one of the surgeons at Mayo who performs septal myectomy. He is one of the newer surgeons trained to do the procedure, which is why you see many others who have had Drs. Dearani and Dr. Schaff, but Dr. Said has been trained by both Dearani and Schaff and will do a great job.
REPLYWelcome to Connect, @barbjp.
You may notice that I moved your discussion and combined it with this existing discussion about hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. I did so as I thought it would be beneficial for you to be introduced to other Connect members who may have more information that might help answer your questions.
If you click on VIEW & REPLY in your email notification, you will see the whole discussion and can join in, and participate with other members wherever you feel comfortable.
I'm confident that Mentor @cynaburst @janicepike @ronaldpetrovich @debcrawford, along with other members in this group, will return to share their insights.
@barbjp, would you share a bit more about yourself? When were you diagnosed? What symptoms are you experiencing?
Liked by janicepike
Hi,
Please dont worry. I was at the same spot 3 weeks ago. My husband had the surgery at Mayo. Dr Schaff did his surgery and it went great. It is better not to watch all those videos. I was worried about what if something goes wrong and I will be left alone with 2 little kids. It was scary. Honestly if you are getting your surgery done at Mayo then please do not worry. You are in good hands. Dr. Schaff is the best.
Just think positive and hang out with ONLY positive happy people. You should know that my husband is recovering very well. He stop taking pain meds on week 3rd. He is just on Tylenol. So do not watch videos online of other people. Those videos had scared me too.. Me husband is doing lot better then what I saw online. Overall everyone is different. All you need to do is be positive and you will be fine.
Liked by Kanaaz Pereira, Connect Moderator
I was diagnosed nearly 9 years ago and sice that time have a stent and bundle bridge block diagnosed. I see my cardiologist annually and some years I have seen him more frequently. He did a TEE 3, maybe 4 years ago with no problems found. In February I had a heart catheterization because the nuclear stress test indicated a possible blockage, but showed problems with the mitral valve instead. I had a TEE a day later and he detirmined the septal wall had thickened significantly and I was referred to Mayo Rochester for surgery.
I am waiting to be called for an appointment or whatever is next.
Full disclosure: I am a moderator here AND I work at Mayo. I wanted to confirm what @cynaburst wrote that Dr. Said is fully trained in this operation and does this procedure several times a week — you will be in great hands with any of the three surgeons here who perform this operation.
Hi @janicepike, no one is scolding you. Your experience with Dr. Schaff is very valuable. Your comments are always welcome and appreciated as a valued member of the HCM community on Connect.
I'm not sure who you thought was taking issue with what you posted. Deanna was merely confirming what Cynaburst wrote about the team approach at Mayo Clinic, and Dr. Said's qualifications. Her comment was unrelated to your post.
Does that make sense?
@janicepike – No one is scolding you! Of course we all agree that Dr. Schaff is a fantastic surgeon! But he alone can't operate on everyone! He needs some help every how and then so he can take a vacation! That is why Dr. Said has been trained to also perform the operation. Mayo wants to make sure that it has younger surgeons who will be able to meet the demand for the surgery and to take care of people in years to come.
Hi @janicepike — if you are referring to my post, I meant it as a reply to what @cynaburst said. Please take no offense — I meant none. Just reassurance for @keyster1967 that Dr. Said is well-qualified to perform septal myectomy. This surgery is scary to undertake (as perhaps all surgeries are), and I just wanted to reassure people that all three doctors are very well trained and qualified. 🙂
Liked by Colleen Young, Connect Director
@kanaazpereira
Hi @keyster1976,
At Mayo Clinic, a multidisciplinary team of cardiologists, heart surgeons, heart rhythm specialists, geneticists, nurses and other specialists trained in treating hypertrophic cardiomyopathy collaborate to provide you with the best care possible. This collaborative approach means doctors can often evaluate you and develop an individualized treatment plan within two or three days.
You can learn more about Dr. Sameh Said, here: https://www.mayoclinic.org/biographies/said-sameh-m-m-d-m-b-b-ch/bio-20149338
This webpage about hypertrophic cardiomyopathy care at Mayo Clinic may also interest you, and I hope, help allay your concerns while we wait for other Connect members to share their insights: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hypertrophic-cardiomyopathy/care-at-mayo-clinic/mac-20350208