Posted by Carl Plaskett on May 08, 2001 at 19:50:14:
In Reply to: Best Center for Maze posted by paul on May 08, 2001 at 19:49:09:
Boy, Paul, you are asking a difficult question. Before I had the maze, I looked into Jack's surgeon in Peoria, Dr. Millar at LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City, and the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, based upon the glowing reports on this site for all. Unfortunately, my choice was limited by my health insurance carrier, which had Dr. McCarthy and the Cleveland Clinic listed on their web site as the only preferred providers among those I knew did the maze.
I was not disappointed by my choice. I (I emphasize "I") could not have been happier. Why was my experience different than some other maze patients? I have no idea except for the fact that I mentioned the frequent complaints of "follow-up" and the differences between the open chest and mini-maze procedures when I spoke with the cardiologist and the surgeon before my surgery, and asked rather pointed questions. I felt I had first-rate attention and follow-up, but of course my opinion may be influenced by my successful operation.
From the brief reports posted so far, and my conversations with John Behle, who had the maze last week at LDS hospital, it sounds as though he has had great success so far (and he was rejected for the maze because of his deteriorated condition in Feb.). I think he made a good choice, but only he can provide further details about his experience.
I am sure Jack Drum, Ed Wehan, and many others will have input as to their feelings, which is good! That is how I was helped to make the decision-by reading of the experiences of others.
Good luck!