Tell me about your heart surgery

So I'm 43, have had a mild aortic valve insufficiency I've known of since 16. Until this year mild, not worthy of action, not limiting in any way. I have been a heavy weight lifter and runner for years with no evidence of problems. This year after 27 yrs a change was detected as well as an aneurysm and the decision has been made to go in, repair the aneurysm, repair the valve if possible, otherwise replace. Good hospital, well known Dr who is the only one in this region who repairs rather than replaces valves when he can so there are no blood thinners. He sounds confident in a full recovery and 100% return to
Normal activity in 6-8 Weeks. He has conferenced with my original hospital that would have just done valve replacement after they recommended him for a 2nd opinion. And Hospital #1 that I'd been going yearly for all my adult life for checkups said I need to have this other Dr do it.

Last relatively mild cardio workout was today. Do a little flexibility work tonight. Taking it easy tomorrow before going in Wednesday.

 

Good luck - I am sure you are in good hands. Literally. Thank your lucky stars that 1. They likely followed you routinely much closer since discovering at age 16 and 2. That your “discovery” of the change wasn’t a catastrophic episode. Modern medicine is amazing and the things they can do outpatient or minimal stay inpatient is nothing short of incredible. Rest well up to the procedure and follow doctors orders

 

Wish you a quick recovery!

 

No heart surgery for me yet. However, a nephew on my wife's side was born with a hole in his heart and had it patched up in a third world country and he's been doing great for about 14 years now. Modern medicine is phenomenal nowadays and I don't think you should be worried much at all. Just go along with the recovery restrictions so that you don't go backwards and soon you can get back to the grindstone. Ya got this, and good luck!

 

When I’m not making skid plates I am a nurse anesthetist. I loved my cardio vascular rotation in school.

Sounds like the doc is going to take you into the cath lab for a repair. That is going to be way better then full blown open heart surgery to replace a valve.

I wish you the best!

 

Nope, unfortunately, open heart due to other work besides the valve needed. I think it involves patching an aortic wall or replacement. There is inflammation.

 

Wishing you a smooth procedure and speedy recovery. You got this!

No surgery for me... Yet. In 2016 they discovered a murmur due to my Tricuspid valve only being a Bicuspid, and said "Presuming you live a long life, at some point you'll probably need a valve replacement."

It seems that time may be sooner than later, as a recent echo showed the aortic stenosis has progressed from moderate to severe.

Have an appointment with the Cardiologist on Wednesday. It helps that my wife is a fellowship coordinator in UC Cardiology program, so she can get the inside scoop from all the Dr's she works with, and all the important questions we need to ask.

Not sure yet whether they will recommend Cath or surgical, as I'm kinda in between the normal deciding age factors.

61, very active and otherwise pretty healthy, no symptoms. My father had a valve replacement when I was a kid, and my oldest sister had one about a month ago, soooo...

I'm a bit surprised that I'm not really freaked out about it yet, but I'm sure that may change.

 

Sounds like you are in good hands and should come out of this with no problems!! Best of luck to ya and hope you will not have to go back for a long time!! Medicine has changed a great deal they can do amazing things when they can.

 

Same. 400 pound deadlift, 275 pound
Bench. Cardio might be 5 100 meter sprints or a mile and a half followed immediately by pushups, situps, and pullups. No meds, ever. They look at me funny when I tell them I've never felt a
single thing, like they figure I should have at this point. From what my surgeon says could have become an emergency surgery scenario within about 6 months.

 

Day 10 post surgery right now.

I exercised from day one, walking to the corner of my block and back when I got home before going in and falling asleep. Since then 2 walks per day, ranging from one loop around a block to a few blocks.

I was in a post hospital fog not getting sleep or feeling energy until day 8, taking day naps and going to bed way early. Then my body suddenly seemed to wake up a bit and I felt a more normal energy level. Sleep aids got me back to a longer deep sleep during the night.

This morning looping around my block I was able to lightly jog 2 out of the 4 straights while walking the other 4. Unless there's light chores to be done I lay around most of the day between walks.


At this point pain is down to a mild numb throbbing in the morning after laying flat with the incision stretched out all night. I probably should try piling a bunch of pillors up and sleeping on a steep incline.

No longer taking oxy or even Tylenol. Clicking and popping of breast bone gradually decreasing. Dr. Says I can get behind the wheel in 4 weeks if I no longer feel breastbone movement and i stay off heavy pain meds.

Lifting limit for upper body goes from 10 to 25 lbs at 6 weeks, then I get the green light for full speed ahead workouts at 3 months.

Nothing in my life like that feeling just before they put me out and just when I woke up.

 

Hey, how's your recovery going?

I have a CT Scan tonight, Angiogram on the 11th, and my surgery is scheduled for November 27th so shit's starting to get real.

I hope you're progressing well.

 

You got this SD!!

Glad you are recovering well Eharr!!

-T