Adam’s Heart Valve Surgery Blog

Blog Topics: Ross Procedure Complications; Heart Valve Surgery Complications; Double Valve Replacement

After I was diagnosed with severe stenosis and regurgitation in my bicuspid aortic valve, I was required to make a pretty significant decision.

Since the echocardiograms showed that my aortic valve was beyond heart valve repair, I needed heart valve replacement surgery. (FYI, I had two echocardiograms to confirm my heart valve condition. I highly, highly, highly encourage you do the same. Second opinions are critical.)

That said, I had to answer the question, “What type of heart valve replacement surgery should I have?”

The Ross Procedure - Special Aortic Valve Replacement

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I just received an email from Roger, a recent Ross Procedure patient and reader of my book.

Roger raises some interesting points, so I thought I would include this as an email bag blog.

Roger’s comments and questions are:

I am now 20 weeks post op and I just had my annual physical today with my family dr. BP 116/70, heart rate in the 70s, blood work good so that all seems reassuring.

I am back to running about 3.5 miles at a 10 min pace. Per your suggesions, I have been monitoring my heart rate while running and trying to keep that in the 150 range.

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Every so often I receive an email that really makes me remember my heart valve surgery experience, especially the recovery.

Some of those memories are joyful. And, some of those are…. well… not so joyful.

This blog is in response to an email that reads, “How sore are your chest muscles after heart surgery?”

Hmmmmm. To answer that question, I have to let you know that there are many different types of heart surgery - some procedures require the sternum to be split and some heart surgeries are noninvasive that do not require “chest cracking”.

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One of the many things I love about life is food.

In fact, right now I’m waiting for my new bride, Robyn, to get home from work so we can go out for dinner and officially start the weekend. But, as of this moment… SHE’S LATE AND I’M STARVING!!!

I guess that brings up a pretty interesting topic - Foods For People That Had Open Heart Surgery!!!

My gut tells me you might want to know if your food consumption will change following cardiac surgery including open heart valve repair or open heart valve replacement.

“Am I right?” (If no, skip this blog.)

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