Ken's Guestbook

i dont think that is very bad i am 11 months out and in phase 3 of cardio rehab and my hr is high 80 to low 90 i think every person is different from what they tell me at cardio rehab your heart brother steve (popeye)

Wanted to wish you the best on having your surgery tomorrow and hope all goes smoothly and you find yourself ready to start up the road to recovery! Prayers and good thoughts go with you from your heart brothers and sisters!

Ken, I had an aortic valve replacement for a congenital bicuspid valve on 7/2/12. The first 4 weeks were the toughest for me and I was back to an office job in 7 weeks. I started cardiac rehab 8 weeks following surgery and it was very helpful, especially mentally. I was taking the bus several times/week and driving but still putting my heart pillow between my chest and my steering wall for comfort and protection of my chest incision. The hardest thing for me when I went back to work was to open heavy doors that weren't automated. The biggest challenge after surgery was not being able to sleep flat in my bed for several weeks and using a recliner is most comfortable. You learn to roll out of bed as you can't pull yourself out of bed if you want to protect your incision. My surgeon encouraged me to sing to get back my lung capacity besides using my spirometer. I started feeling like myself again after one year but I was working out again in cardiac rehab in 2 months. I now am able to work out harder than before I had surgery and I no longer experience heart palpitations when I walk up a steep hill. Life is good. I wish you all the best in your recovery!

Ken, who was your cardiologist over at CC and would you recommend him? This guy would act as gatekeeper, looking over my ECHOs and either confirming the recommendation I got from my local cardiologist for surgery or saying I need to wait longer. Thanks!

Hi Ken, my surgery was 'open' heart to replace the aortic valve and to complete a single bypass. I have an office job and spend most of my time at a computer. The doctor was going to release me in 6 weeks, but I was able to get him to extend it to 8 weeks. That extra time was really helpful in allowing me to devote additional time just to cardiac rehab, can't say enough about what a benefit rehab is. Several people have mentioned needing time to 'clear' their heads. Not that it had a huge impact but I did find I didn't feel as sharp or on my game as much for a bit. I found it interesting when one doctor referred to it as 'pump head' from being on the heart/lung machine. So you need to give yourself time both physcially and mentally. Good luck and best wishes.

got operated on a tuesday spent the rest of that week in the hospital, took the next week off and started part time the following week then full time the week after that. good luck

Ken, My mitral valve repair was through ribs on the right side. My surgery was on 11 July 2013 and I went back to work full-time (office work) on the Tuesday after Labor Day. About 7 weeks +-.

A bit more than a month after surgery, I started joining conference calls with clients - I do consulting stuff - and at first, I fell into a ratio of an hour of sleep for every 30-60 minutes of phone time. I started driving into the office after a couple of months, but did half-days and half-weeks for several months. Based on my experience, for me, I'd say the minimum to return to work is four months, and you won't be really on your game for half a year...