Adam’s Heart Valve Surgery Blog

As I remember, once diagnosed with “needing heart valve surgery”, a series of foreign questions flood the patient’s brain. Those questions range from “What type of procedure should I chose?” to “Which surgeon should I go to?” to “Should I write or re-write my will?”

While these pre-surgery questions are acute, the post-operative questions can be incredibly vague as the patient proceeds through heart surgery recovery. As you will read below, Jesser just emailed me an insightful question about the recovery time for heart surgery.

Jesser writes, “Adam - Five months ago I had a pulmonary valve replacement surgery. My question is - How long did it really take you to completely feel like your old self again? Because, when I SNEEZE my chest throbs, my scar bugs me, and I can not move my arms that much because they still hurt. Thanks, Jesser.”

This question, “How long is the recovery from heart surgery?”, is very appropriate. In fact, when I first read Jesser’s email, I smirked a bit as I remembered the pain of my first sneeze after aortic valve replacement surgery. I also remembered the incision discomfort from my broken sternum. And, I remembered the annoying pain in my collarbone.

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Robyn (my wife) will tell that I don’t really like to use cliches.

But, if there is one thing I have learned since my heart valve replacement surgery, it is that “there are no guarantees in life”.

Yes. I did just use a cliche. But, it is sooooooo appropriate to heart valve surgery. As you may already know, there are risks, there are uncertainties and there are complications that are undeniably associated with cardiac surgery.

As we have already seen (in patient stories from Leslie Lafayette or Brad Mueller), “there are no guarantees in heart surgery”.

Recently, I received an interesting email from Brian, which emulates the twists-and-turns of heart surgery. I thought you might like to hear Brian’s story. So, with his approval, I have posted his thoughts below.

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The impact of heart surgery on any man, woman or child is daunting. However, for amateur or professional athletes, the short-term and long-term effect of cardiac surgery is beyond significant… It can be career-ending.

As we have seen in the stories of Ronny Turiaf and Teppo Numminen, that is not always the case. For, both Turiaf and Numminen have returned to play in the NBA and NHL sports leagues following aortic root replacement and heart valve repair.

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I don’t know about you…

But, as I went through the cardiac surgery process, I learned ALOT of interesting information about the heart - specifically, its anatomy and function. I also learned there was a laundry list of Do’s and Dont’s specific to the recovery.

In past blogs, I’ve written about many of these recovery suggestions which include everything from not drinking coffee after surgery to using your incentive spirometer after heart surgery.

FYI, here is another little fact to remember during your recovery…

Do not spend time in a jacuzzi, wet sauna, dry sauna or extremely hot shower after cardiac surgery. High temperatures force the heart to work harder to circulate blood throughout the body. As The Practical Guide For Heart Health states, “Avoid working and exercising in extremely hot temperatures during your early recovery from heart surgery.”

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.

First, she had cancer as a child. After chemotherapy and radiation, she won that battle.

Years later, Sara learned that she needed mitral valve replacement. After a minimally invasive surgery that was filled with minor complications, she is now recovering alongside Lucyfur Ladyhawk, her horse.

This is Sara’s story…

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I was recently asked by Doug, a patient preparing for heart valve replacement, “Have you been weightlifting after open heart surgery?”

My answer was a definitive and delightful, “Yes. I have lifted weights after open heart surgery.”

However, I DID NOT rush back into the weight room after surgery. It took several months before I was lifting weights again. You should also know that I never lift to bulk-up.

Doctor Vaughn Starnes, my heart surgeon, told me that lifting heavy weights puts additional strain on the heart valves. Over time, the strain on the heart valves can become problematic - both before and after surgery. That said, Dr. Starnes told me to lift for tone (repetition) not for muscle build-up.

I’ve taken his advice to heart (pun intended) and really focused on aerobic exercises I learned to really enjoy during cardiac rehabilitation.

Remember, heart valve surgery SHOULD NOT be the end of your active lifestyle. However, to be incredibly safe, I suggest you contact your surgeon to discuss weightlifting after open heart surgery. As you probably are aware, every patient is unique.

Keep on tickin!