Thoracic aortic aneurysm: Anyone had surgery?

I’m so happy to hear your success story! I have an Ascending Thoracic Aneurysm also. About 6 months ago it was 5.0cm. I have been thinking because I am 77 years old that I will not have surgery.

If you have to undergo surgery, read my success story. I'm more than greatful, how I recovered. Being back to normal 100%.

My Ascending Thoracic Aneurysm was 5,3 cm. I got surgery 4 month ago at Mount Sinai Hospital Miami Beach.
My excellent surgeon was Dr. Xydas.
I never had pain (except if I needed to caugh. Of course, I hugged myself).
Right after surgery, I got good pain killers, understandable. But they've been taken off after a week or so. Still no pain, a miracle to me.
All my organs kicked in again, right away in ICU, From there on, all my blood values were "excellent". I started Rehab the second day, a short distance walking, all went well.
8 days at the hospital room, and 8 days in inpatient Rehab at the same Mount Sinai Hospital.
I got a chair in my shower at home. So, I could independent shower and even washing my hair - avoiding stretching over head.
All I can say, I'm more than grateful, having back my life, without fear of the Aorta bursting. I couldn't even go on an airplane anymore.
I hope to help you, getting more inside, God bless you.
See my scar, almost invisible 4 weeks post surgery.

If you have to undergo surgery, read my success story. I'm more than greatful, how I recovered. Being back to normal 100%.

My Ascending Thoracic Aneurysm was 5,3 cm. I got surgery 4 month ago at Mount Sinai Hospital Miami Beach.
My excellent surgeon was Dr. Xydas.
I never had pain (except if I needed to caugh. Of course, I hugged myself).
Right after surgery, I got good pain killers, understandable. But they've been taken off after a week or so. Still no pain, a miracle to me.
All my organs kicked in again, right away in ICU, From there on, all my blood values were "excellent". I started Rehab the second day, a short distance walking, all went well.
8 days at the hospital room, and 8 days in inpatient Rehab at the same Mount Sinai Hospital.
I got a chair in my shower at home. So, I could independent shower and even washing my hair - avoiding stretching over head.
All I can say, I'm more than grateful, having back my life, without fear of the Aorta bursting. I couldn't even go on an airplane anymore.
I hope to help you, getting more inside, God bless you.
See my scar, almost invisible 4 weeks post surgery.

Correction, I said the aneurysm was noted 3yrs ago. And I've had the aneurysm since 2015. Geeze ... that's a long time.

The stories I read on here are so interesting. It's a wonderful thing to have a place where we can relate and get a better understanding and support. I was dx with a ascending aortic aneurysm about 3 years ago. It started at 3.2 and was discovered when I had an MRI. Through the past few years it has enlarged to 4.5 and I have it monitored every 6 months. I attribute this to working to hard all my life at everything. I love working in my yard and have been known to work really hard and for quite some time so that it all look great. I paid a big price for that hard work. I was moving boulders, pushing and pulling a lawn mower, trimming trees and cutting up huge limbs, scooping up large mounds of dirt, pulling around heavy trash cans, building a fence around my garden and built a pergola for the sitting area. Why? because I really enjoyed making a plan, buying lumber, trees and flowers, bags of mulch etc. At the end of the day, I was worn out! I never at any time thought that I shouldn't be working so hard. I was well into my 50's when the aortic aneurysm was noted. Now, I'm 68yrs old and I've slowed down. I have osteoarthritis in my spine and scheduled to have laminectomy with cervical fusion. A thyroid nodule was just discovered after a routine chest x ray. I have changed my life style and adapted to a more sensible plan outside. Thank you moonboy for reminding me that I have a "heads up" on my health and I'm very grateful for that.
Best to all, Janagain

Very helpful, thank you so much
Your advise is very consolatory

Amen

The important thing is to make sure it is within reach at surgery. I am 80yrs and in 2014 I had 3 A-V fistulas embolized in my brain with awake anesthesia. It was done at Mayo in Jacksonville and I was very scared also. They reached the area thru my groin and I had no pain. I was told they do a similar procedure for aneurysms. I did well and have enjoyed many years after.Now they even have more advanced equipment and technology so be at peace, it will go well. Make sure you are referred to a reputable medical center. Good luck, the Lord will be with you
Dr. Picardi

Carry: You are not alone in how you feel. I remember those same fears—wishing someone could just look me in the eyes and tell me I would be OK. When I was 50, I had an aortic dissection in the middle of the night while on a work trip. It ripped open my aorta, and the doctors told me later that most people don’t survive. But here I am, nearly 10 years later. That night changed everything, and I know what it’s like to stare down your mortality.

You are still here. And the fact that they found the aneurysm by MRI means you have a head start. You’re not waiting for a disaster to happen in the dark—you are in the light, working with real information, with doctors who can help. August 28th might feel far away, but you have time. If anything changes before then, you go to the ER. But in the meantime, you breathe. You keep showing up. You are stronger than you know.

I also hear what you said about God's plan. If this were your time, you wouldn’t be reading this. But you are. That means there’s still work to do, people who need your voice, your stories, your light. From one survivor to another: You are going to be OK today. And tomorrow. And the day after that. One sunrise at a time. Peace.