Anyone have any experience with this type of surgery?

[LuckyCharms]

My good friend is going to have surgery on his carotid artery.

He has been frustrated by being funneled through the medical system with doctors of varying opinions. Doctors disagreeing the the degree of blockage, proper method of treatment, etc.

His most recent doctor finally scheduled him for surgery because he is 90% blocked. Too blocked for a stent according to this new doctor, who he trusts.

I've read about the risks of this surgery, but I'd like to know if anyone here has any experience with this type of thing.

I've been talking a lot with him lately, and he's obviously scared. I'll be helping him out post-surgery as he recovers.

Any personal stories concerning this?

Thank you in advance. I won't respond, but I'll read all answers.

Have a good day.

[redwitch]

1. My friend just had this surgery.

She’s doing great! Good luck to your friend!

[LuckyCharms]

3. Thanks, redwitch.

[Ilsa]

2. I've observed this surgery. It's called a

carotid endarterectomy. Patient did well, but that's just anecdotal. Has the surgeon and hospital done alot of them?

[LuckyCharms]

5. I'm not sure...

He had an eye stroke a few years ago, and ever since this, the doctors have passed him around like a hot potato. He likes his most recent doctor and has faith in him, but I don't know how many of these surgeries he has performed.

[surfered]

4. Two aunts had this type of surgery back in the 70s

And doctors havevgotten much better at this procedure

[Katinfl]

6. I know of at least 3 people who have had the surgery.

Each of them had good outcomes.

[Starbeach]

7. Yes

Have a relative who has had two of these carotid surgeries, years apart. Stents were not advised. Both procedures were successful in reducing narrowing. In the hands of a skilled vascular surgeon, it is a procedure that provides a good option for reducing the danger of very narrowed carotid arteries. Good luck to your friend.

[MiHale]

8. Just had it done...

I’m about 2 months out from a Tcar (Transcarotid artery revascularization) procedure.
It was an overnight stay…check-in in the morning, get procedure, home by next afternoon.

It would have been easy procedure but I am on a pretty powerful blood thinner, Xarelto. Before the surgery I needed to be on Plavix and a baby aspirin for at least a week…thats 3 blood thinners…I was a bruised mess. Needed to be on Plavix and aspirin for another month after while resuming my original thinner Xarelto. I actually made up an ‘emergency blood stopping kit’ I carried around with me to stop bleeding from little nicks a scrapes incurred in daily activities. Lotta work around the homestead had to be put on hold so wouldn’t bleed out.🤪

Couple years ago my wife had the regular surgery done. It went well no problems, since she wasn’t on any blood thinners she had no complications as I did.

One thing that wasn’t really explained was blood pressure. I’m chronically high although it’s regulated nicely. During my overnight stay my pressure was abnormally low, they gave me Sudafed to raise it…ironic.
Blood pressure was low for about a week or so before returning to my normal.
At the month recheck my doctor told me it was normal for blood pressure to go low after the procedure because of the better flow. Wish I knew that beforehand, little thing.

So I’m a kinda bad case scenario…it can only be better for most.

[LuckyCharms]

12. Thank you for the details...

I've known this guy for 41 years, and he's been on blood pressure meds since I've known him. The thing is...he's in tremendous physical shape...he's very fit. Except for his high blood pressure.

I can empathize with you about the Xarelto. I was on two blood thinners. Brilinta for a Hollenhorst plaque in my retina and Xarelto for a lacunar stroke. I'm constantly working with my hands, so subsequently, I pretty much cut myself daily. It looked like a murder scene when I got cut...very hard to stop the bleeding.

Recently, I developed a bad retinal bleed that I'm getting eye injections for, and my primary care took me off the Xarelto immediately.

I'll mention the possible low blood pressure to him. I'm sure his new doctor is aware of his high blood pressure history (I hope).

I'm so happy to hear that you are doing well and that your wife had no problems with the surgery.

[MiHale]

13. I ground up a styptic pencil into dust...

There’s a product called Bleedstop kinda pricey for someone that bleeds daily. I looked for more ‘professional’ quantities and found nada. But interestingly a product came up for dogs nails used if you clip too short and into the quick…it was a powder…not recommended for humans. I’ve used this before on my dogs. Made me think about the styptic pencil. Works very well if ground up very finely sprinkle on cut…if it burns it’s working. The bandage tightly and get on with life. I think I have every size band-aid made. The elastic stretchy stuff is great for odd size bandages.

[viva la]

15. Glad you did well

Despite the complications. And thanks for giving OP the good advice!

[greatauntoftriplets]

9. My father had it, probably in his mid-70s and going on 40 years ago.

He came through it just fine. I recall that he shocked my mother by taking a cab home rather than waiting until I got off work to go pick him up.

He felt good.

It's not surprising that your friend is apprehensive. Best of luck to him.

[mopinko]

10. not this surgery, but

i had a stricture in my colon, get bumped along for almost a yr.
ended up in the er w a rupture. emergency, middle of the night major surgery. not the route u want to go. cd have been a minimally invasive robot surgery. but no.

tell him to get it done asap.

[Kammer]

11. 2 years ago

I had the surgery approximately 2 years ago. I was blocked 75% which normally they would not recommend surgery. However, I had had a TIA a few months earlier. My surgeon recommended the surgery and I agreed. Once in surgery, they found a blood clot in my carotid, which he removed. I was fortunate I had the surgery as I was obviously Dead Man walking if that blood clot had broken loose. They surmised that a small piece had broken loose which caused my TIA. I was in the hospital for one night. My neck was swollen quite a bit for several days. I had a pretty good scar on my neck but it is healing and barely noticeable now.

[roomtomove]

14. Not really risky in the hands of an experienced surgeon

at least for me considering what could happen if it was not done. Mine was done about 15 years ago. The only side effect was loss of sensitivity on the side of the face for a few years, which was only noticeable when shaving.

[Clouds Passing]

16. Yes