Comments on: “When Were You 100% Recovered From Open Heart Surgery?” Asks Holly

By: Daryn

Daryn — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 05:33:55 +0000

I have had 2 Aortic valve replacements. The first 8/31/1988, the second 10/20/10. Both were homograph valves. The first surgury was followed by 8 weeks of IV antibiotics, following baterial endocartis. After the 8 weeks in hospital I was ready for the real world. I took up walking and within 6 monbths of surgury I was climbing mountains, managing to climb 6 of the 8 tallest peaks in the North Island of New Zealand. I returned to work after 4 months of rehab at home. The first Human tissue valve lasted 22 years. The second valve replacement, had some extra circumstances, in that at the end of july ’10 I had a stroke, while in the hospital the nurses took blood cultures and informed me that I once again that I once again had Bacterial Endocarditis. I was once again on antibiotics, this time the resulting antiotic cover for the infection destroyed my vestibular system destroyed. this made my recovery from this surgury rather slow. With my destroyed vestibular system I have lost the sensation of falling, so it has made any rehab rather slow. I spent a while in bed, mainly because it was the safest place to be, in the last 6 months however I have been working out on various weight equipment as well as a tread mill where I can hang onto a rail to stop me falling. It is rapidly coming upto a year since surgury, and I guess I am at about 80%, with the vestibular system making up the other 20%. I was told that the damage was permanent however my eyes and brain will learn to compensate, recognising balance related problems and creating solutions…I have got my fingers crossed.

By: Don

Don — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 16:29:11 +0000

I am 118 days removed from aortic valve replacement and double bypass surgery. Life is about 75% back to normal. I follow a daily cardio rehab regime to physically regain the use of my muscles. It consists of an hour of gym station exercises of 10 minute duration in which the levels are gradually increased. Included with the stationary bike, air bike, treadmill, and stairmaster is a small dumb bell 5-7lb routine. This is done in the late morning in a small exercise room. I am an avid 66 year old tennis player anxious to rejoin my 3.0-4.0 level players. Progress on the clay court surface has been gradual and somewhat frustrating. I have built up to about 30-40 minutes of 3.0 level play. Here in Naples Fl the waeather is both very warm and humid in July so I have been cautious about pushing too hard too fast. I need to lie down and rest and/or nap each afternoon for at least 30 minutes to an hour. My appetite has diminished and food still does not taste as good to me as it did before my surgery. I try to avoid high sodium foods and drink water at a constant rate. I am on Lipitor and Atenolol with decent blood pressure readings between 120-135/62-76 on average. Mentally I am okay and about the same as before though more anxious wondering if my recovery has plateaued or if I can still feel better with time. For every hour of anesthesia you require a month to recover so I have about another month to go.

By: Lindsy L.

Lindsy L. — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 02:25:13 +0000

I am currenty at 2 days shy of 4 weeks since I had a pulmonic valve replacement. I am still in quite a bit of pain from my sternum, but not enough to be taking pain meds on a regular basis. I went to Target today and walked I didn’t even use the little electric cart. And at rehab today I am exercised for a full 37 minutes. I sometimes feel as though it is not going fast enough but at the same time the doctors say I am doing well and it has only been 4 weeks. I do feel a little of the post surgery blues, but I think that is because I live alone and now that I don’t have constant supervision anymore I have a lot of time to think about how serious this was. I am 33 and this was my second surgery. I was born with an atrial septal defect and had to have that repaired when I was 3. Going through this now, I have no idea how my parents managed me after that. But I am confidant that if you do what the doctors say, and follow through with your rehab that recovery will work out when your own body is ready. Don’t get down on yourself, and relax and try to enjoy being doted on. Your body will know how long to take.

By: Jon Paola

Jon Paola — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 05:38:44 +0000

Jon, 49, 6 weeks out of open heart by dr. west at cottage hospital in santa barbara for severe mitral valve regurgitation. An anloplasty and leaflet repair and rebuild, Hearts working great. Cardio rehab going great, Upper body, muscoskelatel, still clicking and sore, slow healing and needing some tylenol for the pain and to keep up the exercise. probably just trying to do more than I should and paying for it with pain. Working on a better management system for all that. Not quite thinking I can go back to work as a heavy construction electrician in three more weeks. I hope the DR. will continue my disability and cardio rehab. There is no light duty in my field of work. You must be able to install in the cieling over your head 100 lb. of conduit, gear, wire, or fixture. Unless the improvement is great in the next three weeks I seriously wonder how this will be possible. Well God has guided the surgeons hand and all the other caregivers in recovery

By: Diane

Diane — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 19:12:30 +0000

I had open heart surgery – it’ll be one year on 6/25. I had a mitral valve repair.

I have the best advice – my husband said this to me. During my recovery, I felt I wasn’t bouncing back fast enough, but I was viewing my recovery as a day by day process. My husband suggested, every week, sit down and think about where you were this time last week. What a difference I saw when I thought about it that way.

I’ve been through Cardiac Rehab, and am now going to the gym three times a week. I cardio kickboxed prior to my surgery, and my goal is to go back. I’m hoping by summer’s end. I feel really good now. Ther is life after heart surgery. Keep your chin up and work hard. You’ll get there!

By: Cindy McGinn

Cindy McGinn — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 15:49:39 +0000

Hi Holly,

I am 52 years old and had my aortic valve replaced along with a single bypass on January 29, 2009. I’ve had some health issues in the past but I’m not the type that likes to sit around and will try to push myself. I was bound and determine that I would breeze through. The first few weeks were rough and by week five I was beginning to give in to some despair. But after 8 weeks things started to turn around; now at 18 weeks I’d say I’m at 80% and gaining. This weekend I worked in my yard, cleaned part of my house, chased my 22 month old grand-daughter through the yard and played in the pool with her. I run out of gas a little sooner at the end of the day but when I look back at where I was in February and where I am now it’s amazing. I’ve been going to cardiac rehab for 8 weeks and I agree with everyone it is the best thing you can do for yourself. There are still days when I have a good bit of discomfort (wouldn’t really call it pain) around my incision area, but only after a lot of activity (such as toting my grand-daughter around). But I’m confident that that will improve and I’ll close the gap on that 100% mark soon! I wish you the best of luck.

By: Adrian Bishop

Adrian Bishop — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 02:00:36 +0000

Hi Holly:

Almost a year ago, when I was in recovery Jim Lehrer was on the tube crowing about how much he was getting done while recovering from his aortic replacement. That was depressing! At that juncture I knew I had a lot of work to do, I was getting plaudits from the hospital staff for my day after surgery walking, but Lehrer was being impossible. 359 days later I feel I am about 96-98% ‘recovered’. I have better energy than I had going in, but I still tire more quickly than I would like, and I get occasional twinges in the sternal area. If I find myself leaming on my elbows, I knoew pain will follow so I sit up striaght. A nap or quiet time in the afternoon definitely helps. I did not do prof rehabm but walked 30-40 minutes twice a day for the first month, and more in the second month. When I got home to my mountainaous island home I walked less but resumed ocean swimming sooner than suggested. I use fins and was able to gradually get the arms working. Today i swam 2 hours!
This seems consistent with many of the other respondants. You’ll resume a lot of activities sooner but I think 12-15 months is a reasonable expectation for ‘full recovery’.
Best advice: find the best team possible, tell all your friends and ask their support, relax and go with the flow. I was stunned by the love I received during the procedure and following weeks.
best wishes,
Adrian B

By: Allyson Meacham

Allyson Meacham — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 01:01:33 +0000

I had my surgery (aortic replacement with a mechanical valve) March 6, 2006 and, like the others, I would say it was 9-12 months before I felt back to normal. And, I too am a firm believer in the cardiac rehab program! The hospital where my surgery was performed, Our Lady of the Lake in Baton Rouge, had an excellent cardiac rehab and I feel that helped more than anything. My problem now is that if I overexert, especially getting overheated, I will feel sick a few days later. Don’t know if that’s related to the heart valve or just me! (I was born with a defective valve, so it may be related overall as this has happened all during my life). So, at age 52, I’m having to learn to excercise easily and not overdue–but excercise and eating the right things is very important. Good luck–valve surgery is a miracle!!

By: tom lamont

tom lamont — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 00:27:35 +0000

I am now 6 full months from mitral valve repair and single by pass and feel I am at 90%. The problem has been the recovery for my split sternum. I am however back playing golf again and walking 18 holes. My surgery was well done, with no need to take a vein from my leg, and a conversion of triple to single by pass. I am 75 years old.

By: Midge

Midge — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 23:33:30 +0000

Holly, I had an aortic valve replaced 2/13/09 so almost to four months. I feel probably 60% by now and sometimes I feel like I make big leaps in recovery, other times it seems I’m marching time. From about the 3rd to 5th week, felt I took giant steps in recovery; but then it slowed down and I actually had to cut back some on my walking because I was so tired by the end of the day. That helped and I’ve decided not to push it too hard. Have no place anywhere near me to do cardiac rehab so am relying on myself, but walking outside is definitely great for you. Not only does it exercise your body, but it really gives your spirit and soul a lift to be out under the blue sky, sunshine, etc. It’s hard not to be thankful for the surgery that has just lengthened your life so you can enjoy our big, beautiful world and it’s hard to be disturbed because you don’t feel you’re recovering fast enough…it all comes in time. Take care of yourself because you’re the only YOU that you have!
Midge