Anyone had a minimally invasive mitral valve repair at Harefield hospital?

[Antique50]

Mitral valve repair

[Beatles1956]

Hi Antique50I had mine at Bart's, end of November. Is it the hospital or the procedure you are looking for information on?

[Antique50 in reply to Beatles1956]

Hello Beatles1956- thanks for reply. I see you had yours only a few months ago - how do you feel now and was it minimally invasive? My consultant has chosen Harefield because it is within my area. I have just looked at Barts and the facilities there and they are way ahead. I have multiple spinal compression fractures so no bones can be cut. I just want the best hospital and the best surgeon but feel I have to have what I am given. Any help on your particular op. and recovery would be appreciated. Best wishes

[Beatles1956 in reply to Antique50]

HiYes, minimally invasive. Cannot fault the facilities and staff at Bart's (except discharge, a complete fiasco). It's important to do breathing exercises, to get your lungs filled again, and to start walking as soon as possible.

Coughing for the first time was ok, as I could control it, but sneezing was something else! Catches you unawares, and shoots right through you.

Had a slight issue with the groin incision wound, where they attached the heart lung bypass machine, it tried to attach itself to my leg, but seems ok now. Top of my thigh is slightly numb, must have caught a nerve.

Right side of chest was numb for about 6 or 7 weeks, felt like a bit of meat, then started tingling as the nerves started to knit together. The chest incision is healing well, but the side of my chest is very painful.

I have up and down days, but on the whole things are definitely moving in the right direction.

My wife takes good care of me, I wouldn't be able to cope without her. Hope you have someone to help you.

Get some elasticated trackies for hospital and when you get home, makes it easier, and some soft cotton button shirts, nothing over the head for a while, difficult to raise your arms. Also button front PJ's ( M&S).

Can you ask your cardiologist to refer to Bart's? Perhaps on the grounds of your other health issues? If so, you might get same surgeon.

Apparently I lost a bit of blood when I was in ICU, wheeled back in, opened up again, same entry, stitched up. I remember having some good drugs on drip and on demand via pump.

Let me know if you need anything else.

All the best.👍

[Porsch in reply to Beatles1956]

Hi Beatles1956 who was your surgeon at Barts please?

[Beatles1956 in reply to Porsch]

Dincer Aktuerk (& David Lawrence).

[Porsch in reply to Beatles1956]

Thank you.

[Mountwood in reply to Beatles1956]

That was a great reply you gave to Porsch, full of just the tips needed.

[Antique50 in reply to Beatles1956]

Hello again Beatles1956- that info was exactly what I needed (seems to have helped others as well). I just want it over and done with! Probably like everyone else. I will have someone to help afterwards and your info made me realise how necessary this will be. Might be in touch again if that is alright after op. Best wishes for a good recovery

[Celtic]

Yes, in April last year. Done via the groin,. Because I have kidney disease, they said, although more invasive treatment was likely to be more successful, that would further damage my kidney. Unfortunately the whole episode, including 4 weeks in a local hospital with severe breathing difficulties due to the leaking mitral valve and being in a Covid-type respirator mask for 5 weeks altogether, took its toll on my kidney function anyway and it is now severely reduced, with various medications not helping! I am just one of the unlucky ones but rest assured that I know of several people for whom the minimal ly invasive procedure has proved very successful. All good wishes.

[linnielizzie]

You can choose where you want your surgery done as a right of choice within the NHS so don't feel you have to 'take what is given'. I asked to be referred to a hospital and surgeon a couple of hundred miles from where I live - Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital - so it is possible. Do your research and then speak to your cardiologist if you have any doubts.

[Antique50 in reply to linnielizzie]

Many thanks linnielizzie- I will ask but it's miles from where I live. I have talked to my GP and she said that it usually has to be done within your area. I have 2 more procedures pre heart op and will do some more research. Thanks again

[linnielizzie in reply to Antique50]

Hi - Just FYI

nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/about-...

Good Luck and all the best with your research.

[Glasgowgirl1947]

I had my mitral and tricuspid valves repaired by keyhole surgery in Blackpool cardio department. I was very well treated, slight nerve problems in groin area on both sides but it resolved after a few months I didn't have many stitches they were removed after a week. I had an external pacemaker for a week as they were having trouble with my heartbeat but it righted itself. My husband stayed in a hotel which was close to the hospital as he wasn't keen on driving back and forward from our home in BurnleyIt worked out well for me and I felt so much better, I didn't realise how poorly I was until after the operation. It took about a month to recover and I was able to do my usual housework about 6 weeks later. Hope all goes well for you.

[Antique50 in reply to Glasgowgirl1947]

Many thanks for your reply. Having 2 valves repaired and feeling so much better afterwards has helped a lot. What were your symptoms before? Burnley to Blackpool was quite a hike! It sounds like quite a success story

[Glasgowgirl1947]

I was very tired all the time and short of breath, my GP diagnosed asthma and I had an inhaler etc and tests at the hospital. It took me ages to convince the surgery that I didn't have asthma as they kept calling me back for checkups which was a waste of time. At the time my consultant was one of the few surgeons in the country who did the keyhole heart surgery it was 3 years ago.

[ToniLou]

Our 9 year old son has recently been diagnosed with mitral valve regurgitation and requires surgery. Finding it extremely hard to get our heads around it to be honest.

Been waiting almost 5 months and still no surgery date on the horizon 😢

Joined on here to get some extra support and a bit more understanding of what we are going to be going through as we feel as though we are in limbo at the moment.

[Antique50 in reply to ToniLou]

Hello ToniLou- sorry to hear about your son but it is amazing what they can do for children with heart problems. I do know that they always seem to wait for the right time to do this op. I kept contacting my cardiologists secretary and talked to her about my worries and she passed them on and I would get a phone call. Just say you are worried and need reassurance ! and need more info. Just don't give in. You could go via your doctor but this takes longer. Hope this helps. Over the years I have learned to contact the hospital specialists direct. Kind regards (ask me again if you need)