http://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2008/09/16/thoracotomy-vs-sternotomy-for-mitral-valve-surgery/#comment-17908 Wed, 06 Jan 2010 00:18:39 +0000 http://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2008/09/16/thoracotomy-vs-sternotomy-for-mitral-valve-surgery/#comment-17908 Christy, I too am a 36 year old recovering from mitral valve surgery. It does seem too young, but the damage is real. With bad valves the heart muscle can become enlarged and weaken, THIS CANNOT be repaired and can eventually lead to congestive heart failure, best to get the valve fixed before there is permanent damage. I am a nurse and have worked with many heart failure patients, I knew this was a greater issue to fear than surgery. I was absolutely terrified going in, it is a major surgery. My heart now is performing better than prior to the surgery and that is a comfort. I had to have a median sternotomy, and it has been painful, there are pain medications and rehab to aid us in our recovery. In addition, the healthier you are going in, the easier it is to recoop. I hated the anxiety prior to the surgery, and set up my surgery for as soon as I could so I did not prolong it. I am a year out now and not quite 100%, but I know my future is much more secure now. I had no symptoms before my repair which made it very difficult to believe that I needed surgery, but my heart was enlarging, in the case of heart muscles, bigger is definitely NOT better. Best wishes Christy, I too am a 36 year old recovering from mitral valve surgery. It does seem too young, but the damage is real. With bad valves the heart muscle can become enlarged and weaken, THIS CANNOT be repaired and can eventually lead to congestive heart failure, best to get the valve fixed before there is permanent damage. I am a nurse and have worked with many heart failure patients, I knew this was a greater issue to fear than surgery. I was absolutely terrified going in, it is a major surgery. My heart now is performing better than prior to the surgery and that is a comfort. I had to have a median sternotomy, and it has been painful, there are pain medications and rehab to aid us in our recovery. In addition, the healthier you are going in, the easier it is to recoop. I hated the anxiety prior to the surgery, and set up my surgery for as soon as I could so I did not prolong it. I am a year out now and not quite 100%, but I know my future is much more secure now.
I had no symptoms before my repair which made it very difficult to believe that I needed surgery, but my heart was enlarging, in the case of heart muscles, bigger is definitely NOT better. Best wishes

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