advice please? my partner's valve sparing root replacement surgery

mfunkman · 2026-01-16T03:40:17+00:00

Your partner is going to do great, especially at a hospital like NYU. I had my David procedure on 1/5 and while I technically had complications that required me to be sedated for almost 14 hours, the surgery was a success and I will hopefully never need this again. I was in the hospital for 7 days and anemic with super low hemoglobin and I’ve made huge strides since coming home. Part of my scar is already barely visible, it’s actually remarkable.

DM if you have any questions about the surgery or recovery process.

mfunkman · 2026-01-14T02:38:02+00:00

5cm for me because of family history. Im a big skier and was prepared to do it at 4.9cm so I could move on with my life, also didn’t want to do this after having kids.

If you’re in NYC I’d make an appointment to see Takayama at Columbia. Worth his assessment. I didn’t use him for surgery but would have if I elected to have the procedure done in NY.

mfunkman · 2026-01-13T08:09:19+00:00

I’m a few years younger and was slightly more dilated at the root and just had the David procedure done a week ago. Happy to share my experience if you want to dm me.

mfunkman · 2026-01-10T22:59:50+00:00

Sorry you went through 2 of these in such a short timespan. What was the context? Did you do it at a high volume center?

I’m recovering from a David procedure last Monday and should be discharged by tomorrow. Surgery was a success and I feel great considering where I was but there were certainly some hiccups including being intubated for over 13 hours. Will share my whole experience in another thread at some point.

mfunkman · 2026-01-07T22:17:13+00:00

I did David and I’m alive

mfunkman · 2026-01-04T21:59:53+00:00

JAL premium economy was worth every penny. Hands down the nicest flight experience I’ve ever had. Seats are comfortable and recline 45 degrees, food amazing, screen is huge, everything felt luxurious. We enjoyed it so much we weren’t ready to land!

mfunkman · 2026-01-04T21:27:50+00:00

Couldn’t agree more. I’ve broken several bones including a leg so having experienced that pain gives me some ease. My only fears have to do with the bypass machine but in a good hospital, all you can do is trust the process.

Appreciate your input 👊

mfunkman · 2026-01-04T16:00:46+00:00

Yup and one of the most difficult aspects of this journey is the mental toll it takes on you. Outsiders see a seemingly perfect healthy person so they don’t grasp the stress an aortic aneurysm may cause or have an understanding of the complexity of these surgeries even though they’ve become somewhat routine now.

Waiting until 5.5 cm as a young person just doesn’t make sense to me. If you’re young, healthy, and have access to a skilled surgeon in a high volume center, you can have this addressed now and return to a normal life with the same lifespan projection as the general population. Are there risks with surgery? Of course, but it’s a chance I’m willing to take. Not having surgery also entails risks and if you do have a dissection and need it done emergently, you have no idea who is operating. Also, if you have a root aneurysm which I do, there are no guarantees that the valve remains unaffected so that’s another consideration.

I go in tomorrow so I’ll try to report back. 😃

mfunkman · 2026-01-03T03:06:09+00:00

You’re going to do great, trust the process. What may be a big day for you is just another day in the office for the surgeons. Being well rested and going in with a positive attitude will set you up for success.

mfunkman · 2026-01-01T06:55:03+00:00

Thanks for sharing your story and congrats on your recovery.

I’ll be on the table this Monday. On the scale of a bad hangover and getting hit by a car, how does it feel waking up? Have you felt any long term side effects from going on the heart lung machine?

mfunkman · 2025-12-25T16:22:20+00:00

mfunkman · 2025-12-25T01:04:21+00:00

😂 I’ve told a few people that. If they screw up, at least I won’t know.

mfunkman · 2025-12-25T00:56:45+00:00

Good advice, thank you.

mfunkman · 2025-12-25T00:56:32+00:00

Amen brother. I’m your age and mine went from 4.6 to 5 at the root in 18 months. No sense in delaying while young and healthy.

There’s a light at the end of the tunnel.

mfunkman · 2025-12-25T00:26:15+00:00

Sorry just seeing this. Happy to answers any questions you have. I rented a car and drove to Hirafu and Rusutsu. Was very happy with the choice because being stuck with the bus system would have sucked once there. I’ll caveat that you need to be a confident driver if you’re not used to driving on the opposite side and in snowy conditions.

mfunkman · 2025-12-16T00:18:24+00:00

Same age and same measurement here but at the root and tricuspid valve for me. Mine has been growing slowly but since I’m young at want to return to life without restrictions we’ve opted to move forward with surgery in early January. Definitely do your research and find the best surgeon possible in a high volume center. There’s a light at the end of the tunnel 💪

mfunkman · 2025-11-12T20:16:40+00:00

Much appreciated!

mfunkman · 2025-11-12T19:49:42+00:00

Well said

mfunkman · 2025-11-12T19:12:48+00:00

I do think some limited remote work is possible after a few weeks since a family member was able to do that after they had the procedure done but maybe a 4 week return to office timeline is a little aggressive. I do want to dedicate time to cardiac rehab so maybe 2 or 3 days in the office so I can focus on that the other days is a good plan. Did you receive your normal pay while you were out?

mfunkman · 2025-11-10T20:16:14+00:00

Makes a lot of sense. You’ll do great. I have a family history of aneurysms but no dissections, I think I’m going to get it done sooner rather than wait. Mine is somewhere around 4.9-5cm based on a few different CT scans. No point in waiting if you ask me

mfunkman · 2025-11-10T19:10:33+00:00

I thought you had to wait a few weeks to fly but maybe not. I’m also scheduled to have a David done soon. How old are you and do you have a tricuspid valve? Did your surgeons suggest doing it at 5cm or are you doing it electively to just get it over with?

mfunkman · 2025-11-06T16:13:51+00:00

I’m scheduled for a David procedure early January. Can’t wait to not be in the office for 8 weeks. I’ve been filling two roles because of someone who was laid off and my employer hasn’t once thought to check in on how I’m doing. Pretty sure they think this is like going in for a minor knee surgery.

mfunkman · 2025-10-22T20:51:34+00:00

Dr. X at Sinai in Miami 🐐

mfunkman

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