Cardiothoracic & Vascular Surgeons

My elderly father recently had a triple bypass surgery. Dr Kessler was his surgeon. Dr Kessler did such an amazing job. The incision was so well done that it looked like a cat scratch. Kessler treated us well. He treated my dad even better. I’m so happy and appreciative of what this facility and Dr Kessler have done for my dad. He saved his life and for that I am unbelievably grateful.

Another doctor’s visit, another negatory on getting a conclusive diagnosis.
I was referred here by my ENT after an MRA showed possible stenosis (narrowing) in my carotid arteries. That’s a bit outside of their area of expertise, so enter a vascular surgeon.
Major downside (s), especially when I’m freaking out about having a stroke, passing out, or simply dying due to blood loss to my BRAIN: it took two weeks for me to get in for an appointment. Rawr. Hard to avoid if they’re busy people, but it’s frustrating.
Additionally, this appointment probably wasn’t even necessary — if the doc or his staff had reviewed my MRA results ahead of time, they could have informed me that the potential condition was outside of *their* area of expertise too.
Upsides: super-​friendly staff, including a sarcastic nurse, and the fastest ultrasound I’ve ever had (it was a redo of a previous test, so fast wasn’t a bad thing).
Dr. Wells was nice, even though he had to give me the pseudo-​bad news that the second ultrasound was normal. He then reviewed my MRA results and showed me how the potentially affected area was part of the internal carotid artery, i.e. inside the skull and not visible by ultrasound. I do love it when docs break out the anatomy diagrams to demo stuff (though 3D models are cooler).
He then said I had the option of either stopping here or pursuing the investigation further. My already-​spent-​my-​deductible-​this-​year, tinnitus-​is-​driving-​me-​NUTS (more than usual) self said bring it on, doc. And so I’m off to the next round of testing, starting with a slight more invasive procedure — a cerebral angiogram!
And so the adventure continues, to be documented here on Unilocal in excruciating detail (unless I die on the table)! Til then, Excelsior!