Aortic Aneurysm - Anyone Had Surgery
 

Has anyone had surgery or know of someone here who has had surgery on an aortic aneurysm before it had a chance to rupture? If so, what surgeon performed it?

I have been diagnosed with a AAA about 1 year ago. I am at about 5.0cm and the VA waits until 5.5 got perform a repair.

I am sure you are aware there are two types of repairs. The "big operation" and the endoscopic. I am not a candidate for the "big operation" which was the best solution. Now days, the VA is leaning more and more on the endoscopic.

One of the major studies done by the VA a couple years ago found that a leading indicator for positive out come was to have a surgical team that performs a LOT of the repairs. It would seem to prove, practice makes perfect.

So, who ever you go with don't be afraid to ask them how many and what results. Those are two extremely important questions.

Good luck and let us know how you make out. I have a CT scan next month to see if I am ready for surgery yet, so I am not far behind you!

Please ask those two questions. How many has the surgeon done and what are the results. Please go to a major teaching heart center.

I did, boy was I scared. I was taken to the Villages Hospital and can't say enough about them. Dr. Adrian Finol 920 Rolling acres rd (352) 775-4833 performed my operation. That was July 2015. I have been following up with him yearly and getting c.t. Scans.Thrilled to report all is great and next year instead I'll get just chest xray. YAY for me.
Good luck. Keep us posted. Keeping you in my prayers

Dr. Sam Bundz in Leesburg. Vanderbuilt education with many favorable reviews on Healthgrades | Find a Doctor - Doctor Reviews - Online Doctor Appointments

That is nor something I would want yo mess around with locally. Do yourself a favor and go to Mayo in Jacksonville.

Had been tracking my 3.3 for many years then into the 4.1 range Check ups were annually which then went to every 6 months above 4.0. The last check up showed significant change to 5.1!!!!! All check ups via CT scans.

Scheduled procedure the following week.
That was a little over a year ago.
Mine was done through the groin.....no open surgery reqouired.
Done by Dr. Attanti at Citrus. Cardiology...look his up credentials.....he is a go to for consultation by many cardiologists in Fl and the US.

Just research all options and educate yourself to be able to ask enough questions to feel comfortable.
When consulting Dr Google.....be sure to check for dates of the material. There is much that is outdated.

Be pro active in and about the follow process....you are your best advocate. Those who serve you have many patients and priorities.
You have one!!!!!!
Good luck.

I was at 5.0 when a random unltra-sound found it. The VA waits for 5.5 before doing the repair.

Consider Mayo in Jacksonville. A neighbor had a serious aortic aneurysm and was told by several doctors it was too severe to attempt a repair. He went to Mayo and they were able to repair it. It was a very long and difficult, but successful, procedure.

I can highly recommend Dr. Bundz as a general surgeon. I don't know anything about this aorta thing, but I would probably trust him to do it if he has that type of experience.

[QUOTE=retiredguy123;1680546]I can highly recommend Dr. Bundz as a general surgeon. I don't know anything about this aorta thing, but I would probably trust him to do it if he has that type of experience.[/QUO

I bet he would recommend a cardio specialist or a thoracic vascular surgeon.

When the did mine through the groin there was a cardio thoracic vascular surgeon assisting.......just in case they had to convert to open surgery.

Are you refering to an AAA or TAA? they are different animals. I have a TAA, found by accident and it is at 4.2 cm. Regardless of my local cardiologist's advice I got a second opinion from Dr. Beaver at Shands in Gainesville. He is a Thoracic surgeon. If mine grows to 5.5, that's where I plan on going. Their program does many more of this procedure than Mayo in Jacksonville. Good luck.

I had been tracking my AAA since 2017, and early this year it had increased in size to 5.7.
My procedure was performed by Dr Henry Veldenz he is a vascular surgeon with FHV health.
He has almost 30 years experience and I felt very confident in him.
My abdominal aortic graft stent was done trough the groin and it was performed at The Villages Regional Hospital.
He relocated his practice to TV about a year ago, and one of the
reasons he decided to move his practice here,
was the state of the art vascular surgery suite that TVRH has available to vascular surgeons.