Been about 6 months to get this far. Had many procedures including coronary angiogram.Today I received an appointment with the cardiac surgery team on 13th January in Cardiff. The letter says nothing about what to expect.
I am assuming they will check I have had all the procedures etc and will set the scene about what happens on the day of surgery and the aftercare.
I'm starting to feel a bit nervous now.
I think you've got the gist of it.
There might also be some discussion of contingency plans. In my case they knew they were doing mitral valve repair, but my aortic valve was a bit dodgy as well. So I needed to choose between mechanical and tissue in case they determined it needed replacing once they got in there.
Bring someone with you if you can. There can be a lot of info to take in, and a second set of ears never hurt.
Hi Glad you have this appointment. My meeting with the surgeons was a description of the procedure, the risks and benefits, a link up to the TAVI nurse. I did not sign consent papers, that was done at the hospital on the day of the surgery. All in all one of the best appointments I have had throughout the whole year.
Thank you. Can you recall how long you had to wait for TAVI after thst initial appointment?
Not very long, they had a second MDT but as I have lung cancer it was a rush job so less than a week from meeting 1 to op
If you are not sure what your appointment is to cover why not contact the hospital to find out. One of the medical secretaries in the cardio team should be able to help. And in the meantime you could write down any questions you might have ( as you think of them) and then take it with you on the day. That's what I usually do.
Hi secretary here so hopefully I can help you
I am assuming if you have already had a coronary angiography then you will have been discussed in MDT.
At my hospital they discuss in MDT and the other hospital says angiography and send a referral to them with the images.
Patients are then accepted and they get an appointment to discuss the procedure which I am assuming you have the appointment for. If you have any questions or concerns about the procedure please write them down. When you get nervous you forget your questions!
Good luck
Thank you so much. Very helpful. Yes I had coronary angiogram October 16th.Would you have any idea roughly when the TAVI may be carried out after my initial appointment on 13th January please?
Thank you.
Is it possible that the results might prompt the cardiology team to request Gooner to stay in hospital as an in patient, making it useful to bring an over night bag just in case?
Or is it purely a discussion meeting and a date for medical action will then be set?
I think that would usually be done from whatever test gave them the results that they didn’t like. My wife’s brother was kept in following his angiogram.
I wouldn't bring anything yet it's just a clinic appointment. If anything showed up to warrant admission now he would be in there now trust me
Forgot to say you won't have to have tests again as they have your results
Pleased to know that!!
Yes, excellent.
Morning GoonerGoone.
Please dontdon stress over your procedures or what ever surgery
you are going to have done, i am sure all will be ok and the procedures that you have had done will have been ok or rheyrhe would have mentioned it to you.
I am 72 years old and in 2018 i had 5 cardiac arrests happened out of the blue and after spending 8 days in hospital, with no procedures oonlyoonl being given medication which i sms still on and i am feeling fine. Please just try not to stress as it will make you ill and harder for you to recover, i am sure tgattga when you go for your app in January the drs will tell you exactly what they are going to do and tell you how they will care for you after you have had done what they are going to do.
Please just try stay calm and enjoy uouruou christmas witgwit your family.
Please let me know how it all goes am very interested to know xx
Thank you very very much for your very sound advice. I shall heed it.Hope all.ok with you.
Thank you for posting this, like you I have had all tests going and after my angiogram was told I needed cabg. I had my appointment letter arrive last week, I see cardiothoracic surgeon on 2nd January.I have been wondering what it will involve and your post and the replies have answered my questions.
I will make sure I come on here when I have had the appointment and let you know exactly what happens if you want.
Thanks again for being braver than I and posting your query.
Elly
Thank you Elly.
Just back from my appointment, it was a good appointment in that it was on time. On arrival I was called into see the nurse who did bloods, weight, height and blood pressure. 5 minutes later I was in with surgeon who had all my cardiology notes and test results.He explained in detail what he wanted to do, triple bypass. Explained how it would be done and the risks of having it and the risks of not.
Showed me and my husband my angiogram video which showed how blocked arteries are. That was scary to see.
I am now on the list, worse case wait is 12 weeks but we agreed that I could come in short notice if a surgical date became available.
Ely
Hi ElyThanks very much for that.
What hospital were you at? Possible to say? I have appointment on 13th January at Cardiff Heath.
I am due to have the TAVI - aortic valve replacement.
Your procedure, triple bypass, I don't know if it's the same procedure? Transcatheter through vein. Similar to angiogram?
I never saw my angiogram video. I just kept my eyes closed. I did have the medication that helps you to relax.
Hopefully that's on offer again.
Is your procedure a day case?
I assume they went through the "aftercare" and what's needed etc.
I really hope they can do your procedure as soon as possible.
I'll leave it at that for now as I don't want to bombard you with questions.
Wishing you all the best,
Peter
Hello, My hospital is in Stoke-on-Trent. Mine will be open heart surgery, with veins taken from my leg and chest. He said 10 days in hospital and then 3 month recovery at home. He went through the benefits and what could go wrong and also made sure my husband understood that a) i am really poorly and b) my husband is fit and healthy so he can support me in all aspects of daily life before and after the operation.
I am terrified, but reading all the positive posts on this group I have faith i will get through.
Ely
Hi ElyThank you for your reply. I really do wish both you and husband all the very best.
I did think that the "aftercare" would be very important. Have read also that many enjoy a full and active life after the recovery period.
I know it must be worrying but it's good you've met the cardiac team and discussed it all.
I'm now coming 78. My wife 72. As many would probably admit- it's the waiting and being in the unknown that's hard to take. So my wife and I can look forward to meeting the team on 13th January and find out what's up ahead etc.
Once again,
I do wish you and your husband all the very best.
Best wishes
Peter
My meeting with one of the team of consultants was to go through all my test results, and discuss what was on offer. He even drev a heart for me and showed me where my hole was and how they would mend it. I asked if I could record the session on my iPad as it was during Covid and my husband could not come in. I took a list of questions with spaces between for me to put the answers. I also got weighed, height, BP etc.
Did you get given a date for your surgery at the appointment? How are you feeling now?
They didn't ask for a final decision at my appointment. I emailed a day or two later to give the go ahead, and then got the date maybe a week or so after that in the post. (This was through the private system in Ireland.)
There was also a follow up phone call where they went through a bunch of background questions (are you allergic to any medications, are you epileptic, have you ever had general anaesthetic before, do you have dentures, etc., etc.).
Hi there like you its taken around 6 months to get to see the surgeon in London. I saw him 3dsys ago and he is requesting a full body scan next. I was also told i would have a cardio nurse who will communicate with me to answer my concerns regarding transport aftercare etc. I live 1and half hours away from hospital so the travelling after op is worrying. Grateful to have got this far and so thankful not having to pay for the procedure but like you am nervous. Its reading on this site of other peoples recovery that is so cheering and comforting. Lets us know how you getting on.
Hi I waited 3 months after my appointment for TAVI and he told me at app it would be that but if I felt worse to ring his secretary and it would be bought forwarding was a really good app with lots of info given
This is me excavating the bridge remains near Bell House Basin nr Chesterfield in October! I'm on the right - syncronised scraping with my husband 
So encouraging to see!! Can you recall how long your "rehabilitation" was after TAVI before you got the all clear to go excavating?Any tips to offer?
Post 6 weeks open heart Surgery appointment- what will happen? 
Cardiac outpatient appointment 
Poor cardiac rehab
Minor surgery after a stent
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