would you go for a second opinion in my shoes?

[jackiesimmonds]

I had surgery 12th Oct. It appears my surgeon made an error during my valve surgery which has left me with a leaking valve, which in turn is causing "hemolytic aneamia" - ie destruction of red blood cells. I am told I have to return in two/three weeks to redo all tests including a TOE to confirm this, and the response may be either a further open heart surgery to repair the leak, or possibly a repair done with "a wire", which only one man in the country has tried. I am feeling understandably nervous about all of this and wondering if I should seek a second opinion. My surgeon and my cardiologist have slightly differing views tho both agree it needs fixing, not leaving. These differing views are of concern to me and I do not know who to listen to.

[NorthantsSteve]

Hi Jackie. Sorry to hear this. I can’t comment on the specifics but I’d definitely get a third opinion. But just be prepared for a third alternative. It sounds like you’ve got a complicated situation and they’re weighing up different alternatives. Suggest you make a list for each option with them that outlines Benefits, Risks, Alternatives, Intuition (what’s your gut feeling) and what would happen if you did Nothing (the acronym is BRAIN).

[jackiesimmonds in reply to NorthantsSteve]

thanks. Am inclined to do as you suggest.

[Prada47]

Morning

Difficult situation to say the least, I try to work on the basis of What's Gone has Gone.

A couple of question who told you the Surgeon had made an error ??

I have been in a situation where the Surgeon did something not quite correct he connected the bypass to a branch of my LAD and not the LAD.

I only know because on an Angiogram a couple of years later ( after no improvement ) the Cardiologist doing the Angio just said they haven't done what they said they had. Being awake I was a little concerned Cardiologist just said I can fix it don't worry.

He did fix using stents but not before a Multi Discipline Team had looked over everything, which in essence brings me to my honest opinion, is what will have happened in your case. A team will have looked at all the Information available and made a decision on the best way forward for YOU .

I work on the basis of they know what they are doing and they are doing their utmost to make us well. Only thing I would question is are you being treated in a Centre of Excellence in regards to what they are treating. I do believe that does make a difference.

Tricky situation but discuss discuss discuss with your team until you are comfortable.

Wishing you Well

& Very best regards

[jackiesimmonds in reply to Prada47]

"my team" told me...ie the cardiologist, who confers with the surgeon, who admitted that the diagnosis is correct. They differ in that the surgeon feels it might be corrected in one way, the cardiologist in another, rather more drastic, procedure. Hence wondering about another opinion. Yes I am in a centre of excellence and the surgeons track record is first class. As is the cardiologist.

[Prada47 in reply to jackiesimmonds]

Hello

You can't ask for more then.

I would guess the question now is which method has the best chance of Long Term Success, and which Method has the Lower Risk.

Regards

[jackiesimmonds]

the surgeon is recommending me to someone who does repairs. Sounds like i am off to the garage..........................!! thanks for the reply. I intend to get an overview from a third party but my suspicious is that they all use the same chap for the repairs. I was told yesterday I have TWO leaks now. Not good. Am a bit shocked to say the least.