Hi there Lynn...That is a loaded question. As you know when you have stents the chances of them plugging back up is likely without close monitoring and diet change. That said I am sure your MD is well aware of the condition of your arteries as he has had a close look at all of them while inside for your last stents. He must have explained the pros and cons so you could make an informed decision. Did he have a recommendation?? I can not say which I would choose without knowing what the MD has already seen. Open heart surgery is far more invasive than another stent placement. Plavix is frequently used for many months following a stent placement to be sure clots do not form and break off causing further damage. longterm effects is a relative term. Your MD will know how long you need to take this before switching to another product. I hope this helped some.

Lynn, if you feel okay and the medication that you are taking is doing no harm to the surgical procedure why would you get another operation for what? If you need to do so but you don't need to right now so don't. Are you exspecting to have more heart trouble? you will if you do and if you don't you won't its just a simple question of your faith it can go either way.