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Anyone here had open heart surgery(vanity)
me ^ | 5/11/24 | me

Posted on 05/11/2024 12:28:02 AM PDT by eastforker

Just wanted to touch base with anyone that has had open heart surgery and what I can expect post surgery. I understand they want to replace my aortic valve, have had a heart murmur for many years and I guess it has gotten worse. Bless the VA because there is no way I could afford this any other way.


TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Health/Medicine
KEYWORDS: aorticvalve; heart; heartsurgery; surgery; vanity
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To: eastforker

If it’s any consolation, whatever procedure you have done, it’s a tried-and-true medical procedure that’s been done millions of times with great success.

Once I got past the idea that my heart was defective, I’m looking forward to the surgery, I want to put it behind me and look forward to how I feel afterwards.


21 posted on 05/11/2024 1:31:29 AM PDT by srmanuel
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To: misanthrope

I am wondering if a lift chair might be handy ?


22 posted on 05/11/2024 1:31:38 AM PDT by eastforker (All in, I'm all Trump,what you got!)
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To: eastforker

Ehh, probly not much. You won’t be THAT weak, and you’ll need to be moving around.

You’ve not mentioned it yet, but do you have somebody to be there with you to help out?


23 posted on 05/11/2024 1:44:22 AM PDT by misanthrope (Deranged, sinister, deplorable troll)
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To: eastforker

Hubby had open heart in December of 23. He was in hospital 5 days post surgery. He was in pain enough to take the oxycodone for about 5 days. Still have half of the 30 pills he started with. He walked from the car to his computer desk with no problems. Other than serving him food and delivering him the huge about of pills every 4 hours, he managed everything on his own. Sorting the drugs and keeping track of the timing of them can be done on your own, but it really is a task best managed by someone else for a week or two. As far as bathroom, he did it on his own. Sleeping was very difficult for about two weeks. Eating was pretty normal.

6 months out he is back to work. Well, he was actually back to work 3 months ago, but that was phone work from home. He is feeling good now and better than he has been in a few years. Prayers that it goes as well for you as it did for him.


24 posted on 05/11/2024 2:31:55 AM PDT by pnut22
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To: srmanuel; eastforker

Not personally, but my dad had open heart back in the 70’s! Triple bypass. They took arteries out of his leg, and grafted them onto his heart.

They gave him 5 years. He outlived his doctors. Made it to 83. So he did pretty good back when they were still figuring this stuff out, you ought to do well.


25 posted on 05/11/2024 2:32:48 AM PDT by AFreeBird
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To: Ciaphas Cain

I saw him do a live show after that event. Didn’t read that book but have read several of his others.

His valve had been replaced with a valve from a pig. This over 40 years ago, so they’ve been doing this procedure (valve replacement) for quite some time. He said something to the effect that after the procedure he couldn’t pass a barbecue joint without his eyes welling up . . .

For any Yankees reading this, barbecue does not mean grilling out. It means slow-cooking meat, especially pork and beef, at low temperatures in an enclosure with smoke present. I think Lewis have appreciated my making that clarification.


26 posted on 05/11/2024 3:22:08 AM PDT by FreedomPoster (Islam delenda est)
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To: FreedomPoster

Oh, and good luck to you two FReepers about to undergo this.


27 posted on 05/11/2024 3:22:39 AM PDT by FreedomPoster (Islam delenda est)
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To: srmanuel; eastforker

My Dad had a life long heart murmur, they discovered it after he enlisted in 1941. In 1974 they told him it needed to be replaced, and they gave him a pig valve. They said he was too old for a mechanical one.
He had the surgery, recovered just fine, and lived another 30 years.
I think you’re gonna be just fine.🙂👍


28 posted on 05/11/2024 3:25:53 AM PDT by telescope115 (I NEED MY SPACE!!! 🔭)
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To: eastforker

Knew someone who had a valve replaced. Had to sleep in sitting in a couch with his feet up. Could not sleep on a flat bed. Also, he would be awake one minute and asleep then next. No driving for awhile. Lifting restrictions. Hopefully you get enough oxygen during the operation because he might not have.

The operation changed him.


29 posted on 05/11/2024 3:32:49 AM PDT by moviefan8 (The noblest art is that of making others happy. - P.T. Barnum)
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To: eastforker
Some time ago, a friend of mine had an even more extensive operation to replace an aortic valve and his aortic chest artery. His recovery required lifestyle changes -- no more smoking and get regular exercise by walking to work. He recovered without physical or mental impairment and resumed his duties as a state supreme court justice. Years later he died -- of cancer.

In sum, fear of major surgery is normal, but in modern America it is quite good and usually has uneventful recoveries.

30 posted on 05/11/2024 3:45:37 AM PDT by Rockingham (`)
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To: eastforker; All

Thanks for posting. Prayer for you. Health/life BUMP.


31 posted on 05/11/2024 4:06:42 AM PDT by PGalt (Past peak civilization?)
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To: eastforker

My friend is looking at a valve replacement. Going to be a closed procedure through veins. Is that an option?


32 posted on 05/11/2024 4:21:01 AM PDT by Chickensoup
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To: eastforker
I was diagnosed with aortic stenosis in Dec 2020. Had open heart valve replacement and a single bypass on Feb 1 2021 (I was 64 yrs old at the time). Was in the hospital for about a week, drove to post surgery visit with the thoracic surgeon two weeks later. He was impressed with my progress. Slept in my recliner for about 6 weeks, No lifting over 5 lbs for a couple months. Chest was sore for about a month. Hurt to cough or sneeze. Immediately after surgery felt like I had more energy, could breathe easier, and slept better.Since then feel I have made a full recovery, Go to cardiologist every year for echocardiogram. .

In May 2021 my wife and I went on vacation to St Thomas, Hiked through the hills of St. John and went snorkeling. Enjoy physical activity now, more than I have in 20 yrs, So far so good.

33 posted on 05/11/2024 4:34:03 AM PDT by P8riot (You will never know Jesus Christ as a reality in your life until you know Him as a necessity.)
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To: eastforker
I have had CAB to repair an AAA and one for valve replacement. Post op on the former was painless but 18 hours on the pump and damage done from the aneurysm made for a long hard recovery. The valve job was a piece of cake. The key to long term recovery is cardiac rehab exercise programs once discharged.
34 posted on 05/11/2024 4:37:44 AM PDT by buckalfa (Gut feelings are your guardian angels)
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To: eastforker
IMPORTANT!!!!! ----Don't forget to go to cardiac rehab, It makes all of the difference in the quality of your recovery.
35 posted on 05/11/2024 4:38:19 AM PDT by P8riot (You will never know Jesus Christ as a reality in your life until you know Him as a necessity.)
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To: telescope115

When I found out about my heart murmur when I was 50 years old, the Cardiologist told me it was hereditary, and I was born with it, that floored me because I know of no one in my family that has the same condition, unless it came from my grandparents, which I didn’t really know, 2 of them had died before I was born and a 3rd died with I was 3 years old and if they had the same condition, it wasn’t looked for that long ago.


36 posted on 05/11/2024 4:41:12 AM PDT by srmanuel
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To: eastforker

In 2017 I had my aortic valve replaced due to a heart murmur that went mis diagnosed for 55 years... it caught up with me at summer camp, when I passed out from heat exhaustion in the pool.

Cow valve successfully replaced and stitched up, my heart wouldn’t beat on its own, so they had to go back in to do a bonus by pass to bring blood to one of the bottom atriums. They called it a bonus bypass because insurance didn’t cover it so they ate the cost... it worked thank God.

Keep good posture and let the sternum heal... keep the cough pillow handy to hug, a lot. Only take pain killers when absolutely needed... I suffered the pain to know how my body was feeling... and healing. Felt tired and beat up, for a week and then slowly... walking was easier, had more energy and worked through it faster than the doctor thought I would.

My hardest thing was the bathroom... twisting the upper torso brought stress to my sternum and discomfort.

Good luck. Hug that pillow. Breath deep. Enjoy life after. It will be better.

Please let me know how you are doing. God give your doctors the wisdom to see you through this. Amen.


37 posted on 05/11/2024 4:46:53 AM PDT by teeman8r (Armageddon won't be pretty, but it's not like it's the end of the world or something )
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To: eastforker

Yes the blow and suck thing I did constantly too... helps a lot


38 posted on 05/11/2024 4:49:18 AM PDT by teeman8r (Armageddon won't be pretty, but it's not like it's the end of the world or something )
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To: eastforker

Recliner helps. It helps your helper get you up, but it is difficult for a while. You may not like laying around, but this surgery kinda changes your mind for a while. Hubby got infection in his stitches so he had to take an antibiotic. Turns out he was allergic to the blood thinner that they gave him, tiny itchy rash all over his abdomen. And like someone else said do your breathing exercises. Once it’s over, we didn’t have anymore problems for many years. He had a 5 way bypass, not a valve replacement.


39 posted on 05/11/2024 4:58:02 AM PDT by grame (May you know more of the love of God Almighty this day!)
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To: srmanuel

Had TVAR procedure about 5 yrs ago,, youngest in the state at time,, did friday was out sunday,, amazing. Also had open heart about 10 yrs,,,, different story all together, recovery is tough, highly recommend getting a power lift recliner, because it will be a few days before you can lay down. Worst part is the healing of the cut and bone itself.


40 posted on 05/11/2024 5:55:06 AM PDT by Airwinger (Semper Fi)
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