Describe A Heart Valve Replacement Surgery For My Mom… Please!
Kelly’s mother was recently diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis and is preparing for aortic valve replacement surgery. Kelly writes to me, “Adam: I’m doing my best to help mom understand what is involved in aortic valve surgery. The problem is… I don’t know what happens during the operation. Can you please describe the aortic valve replacement surgery for me?!”
I have to admit… Kelly raises a GREAT but very BIG question. It would take several hours for me to describe all the patient details of an aortic valve replacement or a mitral valve replacement. Plus, every patient case is unique and there are different types of valve replacement procedures to describe - including open heart, minimally invasive, robotic and transcatheter procedures.
However, I want to help Kelly, her mom and perhaps you… So…
I have posted a series of clickable links below that describe certain elements of a heart valve replacement surgery from the patient perspective:
- Should A Patient Blood Bank Before Surgery?
- The Unexpected Full Body Shave Before Surgery
- How Do Surgeons Stop The Heart During Surgery?
- How Long Does Heart Valve Replacement Surgery Last?
- How Do Surgeons Restart The Heart After Surgery?
- How Long Is The Patient Unconscious?
- When Is The Ventilator Tube Removed? Is It Uncomfortable?
- What Is It Like Waking Up In The Intensive Care Unit?
- Do Women Use Surgical Bras After Heart Surgery?
I hope this helps describe the aortic valve replacement and mitral valve replacement surgery. If you have any questions, please continue to search this blog, read my book or email me.
Keep on tickin!
Adam Pick is a double, heart valve surgery patient and author of The Patient’s Guide To Heart Valve Surgery, a unique book which integrates the clinical facts of heart valve surgery with the personal experiences of an actual heart valve surgery patient. To learn more about Adam and his heart valve surgery book, click here.
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September 19th, 2008 at 10:15 am
Hi Adam,
I’m back from Miami, FL after having the Aortic Valve replacement minimally invasive surgery performed by Dr. Joseph Lamelas at Baptist Hospital of Miami. You can’t believe the difference between the sternotomy and the “mini” version. I’m now almost 5 weeks post op and was back at work in 4 weeks post op. The incision, almost healed completely, is 2″ long just above the right breast. I’ll be more than happy to email any of your folks about the procedure if anyone is interested and has questions. The surgery was a breeze and the only problem I have now is getting my energy back. But that will come, I’m sure. Thanks, Julia Hightower, Winston-Salem, NC.
April 12th, 2009 at 6:02 pm
Im going to see Dr. Lamelas at the end of May. How was the whole process with him?