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Thoracic aortic aneurysm: Anyone had surgery?
I was born with a hole in my heart and have had 2 surgeries. One to fix hole and the other a valve replacement. I've been recently told the I have a thoracic aneurysm and possibly will need more surgery.. Anyone gone th ru this before??
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You can't imagine how much I appreciate Connect and what it has done to alleviate the fear and uncertainty of facing this surgery in August.
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2 ReactionsHello @janean,
Welcome to Connect; we're so glad to have you join us. I'd also like to thank @crhp194 and @morningglory for their valuable responses.
Here's another discussion that you may wish to view:
I am 50. At 13 I had a coarctation of the aorta repaired http://mayocl.in/2sCgKTC
I’m tagging members @ch246cf10 @jend @michellr who can share their experiences and provide some guidance and thoughts.
And, while we wait for others to join this discussion, here’s a video that Dr. Pochettino made explaining what patients need to know about aortic surgery:
http://mayocl.in/2rNCzN7
Keep talking with us. You’re not alone.
Thank you so much for your reply. I didn't know a total arch replacement is a possibility. I am beginning to have hope and feel like I have a good chance. Thanks again.
I can't thank you enough for your reply. I am starting to gain a little confidence about the surgery. I had the first surgery in 2013, an 18" incision down my back. There were a lot of complications and pain. After 6 months I was ready to leave this world. Obviously, I made it but don't want a repeat. Mayos sounds like right choice this time. Thanks again.
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1 ReactionBy the way, was only in ICU 2days and left hospital in 4 days. Live alone so had something they call "swing bed" at my local hospital and was home in 5days. If you live alone make sure you sign up for the in home health care for a couple of weeks. Didn't really need it but for once I gave in to commonsense and had that service for about 3 weeks. Going back to heavy duty weight lifting soon should have been there months ago but broke ankle during my recovery time. That broken ankle was WORSE than my heart surgery!! Can't find my first answer to you, hope it didn't get lost somewhere is digital world. Just want to make sure that you know Dr. Pochettino is the BEST!!!
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1 ReactionDr. Pochettino is the BEST!!! Relax, follow his instructions and you will be feeling much better sooner than you think. Had my surgery last July and am 78 years into this life. If I can do it so can you. We are all much tougher than we think we are........be positive!. Life is most interesting, I love old Mom Nature so much and that alone helped me. We are so fortunate to be here. How else can we get our country back on track? We need you!! Get it done and start writing petitions like the rest of us. You will belong to a club. Anytime someone catches a glimpse of your scar they will welcome you to "the club". Do relax, all will be fine. Ask me anything you wish about the Dr. or the surgery or both.
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2 ReactionsI had a total arch replacement with Dr Pochettino in May 2016. Really I found it no big deal. Dr Pochettino is one of the best. Nurses told me if they had to have this, then Dr. Pochettino is the one they would choose. I was in the hospital eight nights. I was so well cared for-after leaving ICU (standard procedure), I went to the cardiac floor. There is a nurse for every 2 people. I cannot recommend any doctor more nor any hospital better than Mayo. Yes I was sore but it was easily manageable. Your aneurysm is large so if I were you, I would have the surgery. Good luck to you. If you have more questions about my experience, please feel free to contact me.
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2 ReactionsI am so glad to connect with you. I have a 5.5. Ascending aneurysm and a 7.2 descending. I had a descending aneurysm repair done at Loyola 4 years ago. It was 6 months of hell and complications. It sounds like I will need a total arch replacement. My appts are in August and surgery is scheduled with Dr. pochettino. Still not sure if I want the surgery or let Mother Nature take her course. I am 66 and not nearly as tough as I thought I was.
No other siblings but have warned my two children about this. Good luck to you. I think you will find the surgery to be easier than you think. I dreaded the open heart surgery but it was easier than I imagined. Very little pain and the pain there was was from the incision. All the best!
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1 ReactionDo you have other siblings besides your brother. My mother and 5 of us children have had abdominal aortic aneurysm's so it is hereditary just like they say. I am the youngest and was able to have mine followed for about 10 years before they put a stent in. The others all had to be opened up. What I'm getting at is to get any other brothers or sisters to get checked. We are encouraging all the nieces and nephews to get checked too. I am 78 and all of my children and nieces and nephews are in their 50's and 60's. Today I am having surgery to reline about 10 inches of my thoracic aorta starting just below the arch. I am lucky again and the repair will be through the groin. Did not expect to be having another problem with my aorta but I guess this is not unusual. I hope others can answer your questions about your chest pain and cough.