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.
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.
I am wondering if a lift chair might be handy ?
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?
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.
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.
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.
Oh, and good luck to you two FReepers about to undergo this.
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.🙂👍
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.
In sum, fear of major surgery is normal, but in modern America it is quite good and usually has uneventful recoveries.
Thanks for posting. Prayer for you. Health/life BUMP.
My friend is looking at a valve replacement. Going to be a closed procedure through veins. Is that an option?
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.
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.
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.
Yes the blow and suck thing I did constantly too... helps a lot
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.
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.
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