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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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THank you, Bruce! Mayo did their part bu seeing the need for almost immediate surgery and scheduled it quickly.
Welcome to Connect @crhp194. Thanks for the ringing endorsement of Mayo and its professional care team. As Bruce said, we have to our homework and find the experienced and the best.
How is your recovery going? You said you felt like the old you after 6 weeks, but are there changes that you've introduced to the old you, like diet or activity, perhaps attitude?
Good to hear. When my aneurysm was discovered there weren't any local Doctors experienced with my unique condition, and I had to travel to where the experience practiced. All we can do as patients is our homework. You did yours and it paid off. All the best to you.
Bruce
Texas
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1 ReactionHad a large thoracic aorta aneurysm (6+) repaired at Mayo in May 2016 plus a total arch replacement plus one bypass by Dr Pochettino. Wonderful Doctor and by my result, a real expert. I am 72, had no complications and felt like the old me after 6 weeks. I cannot recommend Dr Pochettino enough and thankful to him for saving my life. At home in an area of about 100,000 population, there wasn't a doctor who could do an arch replacement. Mayo and its doctors are the best.
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3 ReactionsYou can expect to be out of work safe to say about 90 Days, You wont be able to drive for about Eight weeks. You will have lifting restrictions for a few months The aortic valve being replaced depends if already leaking. but would say that should probably be able to replace you natural valve. You can look up what they call a valve sparing aortic root replacement it might give you some info also Some of the side effects I had after surgery was body temperature changes would have night sweats etc. for couple weeks after surgery,fluid retention. sometimes I became really emotional after surgery . Don't let you self get so worried about it will be all good
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1 Reaction@colleenyoung my biggest fear is the unknown. Having to deal with the VA for referals seems to be taking to long, even though there has only been 2 business days since my diagnosis. How long will i expect to be out of work? How likely is it that the aortic valve will need to be replaced? What side effects will there be after the surgery? I know these are some questions ill need to ask my surgeon. There is so much going through my head its hard to relax enough to sleep.
@smithjss It natural to be scared. I was diagnosed with enlarged aneurysm I was dilated to 5.5 cm I had valve sparing aortic root replacement done in September 2012 at Mayo Clinic Rochester . There always risk with surgery but I wouldn't be to scared about. surgery just go some were Like Mayo Clinic that well knowing for it. The worse for me was the first 24 hours after surgery the only thing that happened to me was that about two weeks out from surgery I went in to a-fib ended haven ablation for atrial fibrillation other than that it just time only other thing would say is if can wait would wait until fall when the weather is cooler so more comfortable for recovery anything want to know just ask will answer if I can
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1 ReactionWelcome to Connect @smithjss. I moved your message to this existing discussion thread (https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/thorcic-aneurysm/) about thoracic aortic aneurysms so that you can meet fellow members @grandmajan @ch246cf10 @michellr @johnwburns @lynnkay1956 and @HeartPatches. @jimmorris900 and @jend may also join us here on this discussion thread.
It is natural to feel afraid, but as you can read throughout the discussion, it is a condition that many people live well with. You may also wish to read this discussion https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/large-ascending-aorta-in-young-healthy-45-year-old-woman/
@smithjss what is your main fear or concern at the moment?
I was jusr diagnosed with a 5.9 cm therasic arterial aneurysm. I am finding information that states its only a medium sise aneurysm. It still scares me. The VA found it last week but the cannot do the surgery.
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1 ReactionI've not had any kind of surgery except for Thyroid removal in the 70's and Knee scope in the 80's. Have had Optical migraines since the mid 90's. They are only annoying, don't hurt, do interfere with my vision sometimes. They seem seem to be occurring more and more lately. But I'm short of breath more, is there a correlation?
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