I just received a very interesting question about hair loss and heart surgery from Tim.

He writes, “Dear Adam – I had an aortic valve replacement and an aneurysm repair procedure done in February, 2009. Your book really helped me prepare for my surgery! Anyways, the operation and recovery went very well but now I seem to be losing my hair very rapidly. I am a 62-year old male that has been taking Propecia and using Rogaine for 20 years. Could it be the stress of the open heart surgery that is causing my hair loss? Has anyone else who has had this type of surgery had sudden hair loss like mine? Thanks, Tim”

I can really, really, really, really, really relate to Tim’s question about hair loss after open heart surgery.

“Why?” you might be wondering.

Well, I have to admit…I used to have a full head of hair. Then, I had open heart surgery. Now, I’m losing my hair like crazy. Maybe it is the stress of the surgery and recovery? Maybe it’s the stress of becoming a father? Or, maybe my age is simply catching up with me?

To answer Tim’s question, I just did some research about this topic. Unfortunately, I didn’t find any clinical research that connected hair loss with heart surgery. Then again, I doubt many grants have been issued for this type of research.

Perhaps you can help Tim and me? Did you experience baldness or balding patterns following heart surgery? If so, please click here to leave a comment.

Keep on tickin!

I give A LOT of credit to patients and caregivers that really, really, really, really do their homework prior to heart valve replacement or heart valve repair surgery. I can immediately tell from the questions you ask me just how diligent you’re being at each phase of the surgical process.

Case in point… Duane Schlosser (55 years of age) from Austin, Texas just sent me two interesting questions about the Ross Procedure and minimally invasive pulmonary valve replacements that I thought you might benefit from. That said, here is what Duane writes:

Duane Schlosser – Heart Valve Replacement Patient

Adam,

Thank you for your heart valve surgery book. It has helped me come to grips with my own situation. I am scheduled for aortic valve replacement in September via the Ross Procedure. I have a two-part question for you.

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Yesterday, I posted a blog offering 10 free Incision Shields to those patients preparing for open heart surgery due to heart valve disease. As you might recall, the complimentary Incision Shields were to be given away on a first-come, first serve basis.

When I checked my inbox this morning, it was flooded with patient and caregiver requests for these protective devices. The ten patients that will receive a free Incision Shield are:

• Bill H. (Idaho)
• Karl L. (Seattle)
• Nisha P. (California)
• Geoff S. (Pennsylvania)
• Ron W. (Florida)
• Raquel V. (California)
• Gil B. (North Carolina)
• Carol Y. (California)
• Lynn N. (Ohio)
• Duane S. (Texas)

Again, a special “THANK YOU!” to the Incision Shield team for offering their unique and helpful product to our community!!!

Keep on tickin!

P.S. To leave a comment, please click here.

Bedora just sent me an interesting question about the use of Cordarone before heart surgery. If you are unfamiliar with Cordarone, this drug is used as an anti-arrhythmic. It works by stabilizing the heart rhythm in conditions in which the heart is beating too fast or in an irregular rhythm.

In her note, Bedora requests patient inputs specific to the use of Cordarone prior to surgery. Personally, I did not need to use Cordarone. Did you? If so, maybe you can leave Bedora a comment after reading her story?

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[UPDATE: Please note this blog has been updated. To view the update, please click here.]

Great news everybody!!!

The owner of the Incision Shield, Scott Joy, just offered me 10 FREE Incision Shields to give out to patients preparing for open heart surgery due to heart valve disease (e.g. severe aortic stenosis, mitral valve prolapse).

If you are not familiar with the Incision Shield, this unique post-operative device is used by patients to eliminate incision discomfort and irritation while healing.

In the past, I have given out over 50 Incision Shields to heart valve surgery patients. The patient feedback regarding the Incision Shield has been overwhelmingly positive.

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