Mitral Valve Repair

[Davewm]

Following on from my previous posts:

Today I had a Transesophageal Echocardiogram at Ipswich Hospital. I have to admit to being very apprehensive about this procedure but I found the short video on the BHF website very useful and it wasn't as bad as I feared. (The staff were first class).

The consultant was able to confirm straight away his original diagnosis of a severe Mitral Valve Prolapse on the Posterior Leaflet.

He said I would be referred to the Essex Cardiothoracic Centre at Basildon. He said the waiting time would be about 3 months, however I previously looked on the NHS waiting times and they say it's 26 Weeks?

Does anyone have experience of this operation or any information about the Hospital?

Also, I live about 70 miles away from the Hospital and my wife doesn't drive. (We also have no family local to us who could help). Does anyone know if the Hospital offer any accommodation for relatives?

Thank you

Regards

David

[BigT2013]

Hi I don't know nothing about the hospital but I had a complex repair for severe mitral valve prolapse of anterior leaflet, ruptured chordie tendeni and 2 PFO's (Hole in heart) had the operation Feb 2018 so just under 12 months ago. If u need any info about the operation I may be able to help.

[Davewm in reply to BigT2013]

Thanks for your reply. I would be very interested to hear about your operation.

Was it a normal op or a keyhole type?

How long were you in hospital and what was your general recovery like?

Kind regards

David

[marypw]

My husband had a triple bypass at Basildon about 15 months ago and said it was great. It's a modern specialist centre with all its own facilities e.g. ITU, scanners etc. This does mean that cancellations are rarer than in other hospitals. I have moderate/severe mitral regurgitation so could well be heading there myself.

The worst bit is the food; you may need to bring in food parcels. Parking isn't great either!

I did read that there are facilities for relatives to stay, so definitely worth asking.

[Davewm in reply to marypw]

Thank you marypw for your reply. It's good to get first hand knowledge of people's experiences.

I hope your husband continues to improve and that your own health doesn't deteriorate any further.

Kind regards

David

[BigT2013]

What would u like to know?

My surgery was via median sternotomy surgeon said my repair was complex and difficult would not be able to use robot or minimally invasive surgery route. Even if he tried he may have had to change to sternotomy if anything went wrong so would of ended up with multiple wounds 😂🤔

I was in hospital about 10 days in total. If u want to know about op and recovery that's a long story. But I could tell u if u wish.

Regards

[Davewm]

Thanks for reply.

I would be grateful for any additional information.

Kind regards

David