Question:
Seeking Post Ops With Congestive Heart Failure

My question is for my brother. He is 34 years old and has been diagnosed with congestive cardiomyopathy. He is about 6'2" and weighs about 340. He was diagnosed two years ago and has underwent surgery to insert a pace maker. He has been on numerous medications to try and make him well. However, nothing is working for him. The doctors have told us that the only chance for him is to have a heart transplant. My brother was turned down for a heart transplant because he is overweight. He does not drink, he does not smoke, he is just overweight. I mentioned this surgery to his local heart doctor and he seems to think this is his only option. I was just wanting to know if there was anyone out there who has had any similar experience? Please, any help would be greatly appreciated. This is my first time posting on the Q&A board. I have been researching this surgery for myself for a little over a year. I have already had my first consultation with the surgeon.    — cassieholt (posted on July 21, 2003)

July 21, 2003
Sounds like a good plan to me, the wt. loss surgery will make him a safer candidate for the transplant and will also greatly reduce the workload of his diseased heart. His condition may even improve to the extent the transplant won't be urgent or needed at all, I will keep him in my thoughts. Good luck to you and your brother.
   — Dana S.

July 21, 2003
i wastold i havce CH also, but since my surgery i have not had any problems i have not taken nitro at all, i feel super and am taking less medicenes (no insulin at all and half the blood pressure pills) tell your brother tyo hang in there when the wihgt coms off he wil fel better and hopefully his hart will not get worse, what is dfone can not be undone, but it can slow down the damage to his heart and he will live much longer tell him to hang tough, he can do this it is so worth it!
   — janetc00

July 21, 2003
I have a progressive from of CHF which is now under controll, since surgery, 14 months ago. Check my profile.
   — Linda M.