Here’s a great email update from Vicki regarding her successful mitral valve repair, Dr. William Ryan and surgical bras for women after surgery ^[1]. I thought you might like to read it…

Hi Adam,

I just wanted you and all your readers to know that my surgery was hugely successful. Just two weeks ago, I had an open heart mitral valve repair ^[2] (due to mitral valve prolapse ^[3]). Of course, I’m not doing any manual labor or dancing the night away just yet. But, I definitely think it’s possible soon.

I couldn’t have been happier with my choice of surgeon, Dr. William Ryan ^[4], and my choice of hospital, Baylor Heart Hospital of Plano. Luckily, I haven’t taken any pain medication in two days. One slight problem, and I hate to complain, is that I’m not sleeping very well after heart surgery ^[5]. Even though I’m taking 3mg of Lunesta (I took this prior to the surgery), I am just having a hard time getting to sleep.

Regarding the bra issue, the hospital put me in this great velcro closure surgical bra after surgery. I haven’t been without it sense. I highly recommend wearing some sort of support immediately and constantly. There are two, small areas where my drain tubes were removed and sometimes the bra rubs a little. But, I just unfasten at the bottom and keep wearing the bra.

It is so hard to believe what my body went through and how well I already feel. Of course, that was the whole point. Wow. I was in the hospital a total of 7 days (only 1 day longer than planned). Later this week, I will start cardiac rehab ^[6]. I have already started tiny 5 minute walks several times a day. You have to start somewhere.

I will keep you posted.

Kind Regards,

Vicki

P.S. Feel free to leave Vicki a note by clicking here ^[7].