AVR (Mechanical) replacement: Pre-Operative date given, plus pre-operative meeting planned. Still awaiting surgery date.

[Highpeaked]

As the letter states with regard to your operation an appointment has been made for you to attend a pre-operative assessment next Monday 11th March but no date as to when the AVR will take place!!! So scheduled for blood samples to be taken, an ECG and a chest X-Ray estimated three hours !

Also now have a two hour appointment with a couple of Sisters from the Cardio-thoracic Critical Care Unit (CTCCU) on the 22nd. This is an opportunity to meet the nursing team and ask any questions...

So now need to start writing a list, else I know for the day after it will be I wish I'd asked that question etc.

I know it can be a personal thing and with many different scenarios but are there any particular questions that people wish they had asked at this stage in hind sight? Bit of a brain storm etc.

Thanks and Best Regards

John

[Nic25]

Hi John. I'll have a think about questions and come back separately. But on timings the normal run of things is they need to do the op within three months of the pre-op assessment as otherwise they have to do it all again. Having said that my pre-op was Aug and op then didn't happen until December. So they were quite relaxed about it! Hope that helps for now.

Nic

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

My pre-op also included an echocardiogram, lung function test, cartoid artery scan and a kidney ultrasound (probably because I have had diabetes for over 50 years). It actually was held over two days. My bypass was three months and a week later - ECG, echo and bloods were repeated when I was admitted the afternoon before. Good luck Monday.

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to MichaelJH]

P.S. Trust you have had a dental check as my hospital wanted no decay, loose teeth or gun disease.

[Nic25]

Hi John. Just to add Michael's point about dental is important. My hospital was initially quite relaxed but then about a fortnight before my operation was due changed tack completely because I think someone had had to have their surgery cancelled post-admission for dental reasons, which can't have been fun. Fortunately (and coincidentally) I was due to be seeing the dentist anyway for a regular check and they were able to arrange a short-notice full dental x-ray at another larger surgery, which was all clear so I was good to go. But it was still an anxious moment. So if you can get that ticked off early I would do so. Good luck again.

Nic

[Highpeaked]

Had pre-ops yesterday. ECG, blood's and xray all very quick but for the queuing. Whole process 2 hours, so good.

Had swaps with appointment nurse and given big info booklet on what to expect for whole process before and after. Had a long chat going though all life history and everything else...

Still don't have a date.... 3-4 weeks so still a wait and see.

Was asked if I was ok to go to a Bupa hospital as they have a backlog. It is the same consultant and his team. Said OK as might get a sooner date! Want it to be done but don't like bit before.

Back next week for meet the staff so may find out more then.

Best Regards

John

[Highpeaked]

Have been given an admission date for next week! Go in Tuesday afternoon 15:00 stay overnight then AVR to be done first thing Wednesday 27th March !

Getting more real now. I have a meet the nursing team staff tomorrow so will hopefully find out all I need to know then.

Count down started...

Best Regards

John