Heart valve operation

[billpt]

Can a faulty heart valve repair itself over time?

 

I live in Surin and am 74 years old  and have been informed I need an operation. I live a healthy life, eat well, sleep well, dont smoke and only drink three to four beers one night a week.  

 

I have been quoted up to 600k baht for the operation which is too expensive.

 

 

[KhunLA]

5 minutes ago, billpt said:

Can a faulty heart valve repair itself over time?

 

I live in Surin and am 74 years old  and have been informed I need an operation. I live a healthy life, eat well, sleep well, dont smoke and only drink three to four beers one night a week.  

 

I have been quoted up to 600k baht for the operation which is too expensive.

May want to pop over to Queen Sirikit Heart Centerm Khon Kaen, if haven't already, for a 2nd opinion.  If quoted the same price, and too expensive, then I guess having the op is irrelevant.

 

Chok Dee

 

[In Full Agreement]

11 minutes ago, billpt said:

 

I have been quoted up to 600k baht for the operation which is too expensive.

 

 

Just curious,   what do you think a fair price is for a procedure that may prolong  or save your life?

 

 

 

[scubascuba3]

My mum had a valve replacement, it got to the point she could only walk short distances before getting out of breath

[Sheryl]

No, a damaged valve  will not repair itself. Surgery is the only definitive treatment and recommended once the valve problem becomes symptomatic or the Left Ventricle Ejection Fraction drops below say 50%.  Surgery is not necessarily needed (or might be deferred) if you are asymptomatic and LVEF normal.

 

The suggestion of Khon Kaen Heart Hospital is good. I don't know the cost there but will be less than a private hospital. It will also provide a second opinion as to whether surgery is needed now.

 

https://www.kku.ac.th/gateways-for/student/medical-services/queen-sirikit-heart-center

[NoDisplayName]

8 hours ago, billpt said:

Can a faulty heart valve repair itself over time?

 

I live in Surin and am 74 years old  and have been informed I need an operation. I live a healthy life, eat well, sleep well, dont smoke and only drink three to four beers one night a week.  

 

I have been quoted up to 600k baht for the operation which is too expensive.

 

 

 

Assume that's a valve replacement, not a stent?  Have you looked into surgery in India?

 

I had my aortic valve replaced at Apollo in Chennai, at the time was much more affordable than Thai hospitals.  From your price quote, that doesn't seem to have changed.

 

If you shop around you can probably get the whole package, including flights and recovery time at a resort there for 'bout half the price.

[scubascuba3]

12 hours ago, NoDisplayName said:

 

Assume that's a valve replacement, not a stent?  Have you looked into surgery in India?

 

I had my aortic valve replaced at Apollo in Chennai, at the time was much more affordable than Thai hospitals.  From your price quote, that doesn't seem to have changed.

 

If you shop around you can probably get the whole package, including flights and recovery time at a resort there for 'bout half the price.

How did you find out about that? any useful websites?

[simple1]

22 hours ago, billpt said:

Can a faulty heart valve repair itself over time?

 

I live in Surin and am 74 years old  and have been informed I need an operation. I live a healthy life, eat well, sleep well, dont smoke and only drink three to four beers one night a week.  

 

I have been quoted up to 600k baht for the operation which is too expensive.

 

 

 

I had an aortic valve - open heart operation - in Australia when I was 72. Prior to the operation I had a number of tests to ensure my viability for the operation. I decided upon a valve from a cow as the metallic replacement would have required being on warfarin for the rest of my life. For me the most challenging aspect was recovery as I experienced fluid on the lungs so in hospital for two weeks instead on the usual five days. I never experienced symptoms prior to the operation, I had aortic valve stenosis, but without the operation  prognosis was approx 1/2 years of life. Naturally it's your decision to go ahead or not.

[NoDisplayName]

4 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

How did you find out about that? any useful websites?

 

Googles was helpful.  Looked into valve replacement in India, Thailand, Singapore, and a few others.  Plenty of websites to get started.  Some offer complete packages.  And you can contact hospitals direct to avoid agent fees.

 

Thailand was much more expensive.  Cost was a factor, as I was paying out of pocket.  My costs are out of date (2008), but my total for hospital fees, test, surgery, valve, airfare from China, one week oceanfront resort to recover was US$12K.  A quick googles gives prices of US$4-7K currently for the operation.

 

I also went with the beefsteak valve to avoid lifetime warfarin.