David's Journal

Pat Bluemel  Get some rest this weekend and be good to yourself. Mckay Dee is a great hospital, my siblings were all born there. The 24th will have come and gone before you know it!

Greg Johnson  Hello David. I am 51 and just had AVR. I am just now starting my third week of recovery. I had expected to be back working part time after three weeks. Engineering/programming desk work. But I can see that it may take longer. I can do simple email / scheduling type tasks now but I have problems doing complex tasks. Work that requires long term concentration like programming. I do get tired fast also. 1-2 hours and I am exhausted for the next 3 hours. I am going to wait another week (3 weeks) and try again. I am sure that there is no way I could go into the office yet. I have the luxury of being able to do most of my job from home which will help a lot.
So I am not there yet. But I can see being at 50% after 3 weeks and maybe more at 4. But I don't see myself spending anything more than 50% in the office until after 6 weeks. I definitely feel the body needing to heal. Much more than after say rotator cuff operation.

Pat Bluemel  I'm at 4.5 weeks and not ready yet. Pump brain hasn't quite let go and I get tired from tasks that require concentration. I'd say the 5-6 week range is reasonable. My go back date is 4/9 and I was cut on 2/12.

David Brunkhorst  I agree with Pat Bluemel. I think anesthesia takes a month to 'wear-off'. But as they say, everyone is different.

David Brunkhorst  I think I felt OK LaDonna. But looking back, I only remember bits and pieces of the first several weeks.

David Brunkhorst  David, I have the On-Ex mechanical aortic valve. Its supposed to be rugged and last a long time. But it is somewhat noisy. And the newer mechanical valves require less warfarin than the older ones. Just more info for you to digest.

Ole Bore  I went back 6 weeks after the surgery. by then I was "ready" and bored. you can only watch price is right and that many episodes of NCIS... Been back to work 2 months and getting back into my stride. it's funny though when my colleagues ask who's got a ticking watch...

Lewis Garlisi  I wouldn't plan on 3 to 4 weeks. If you can work it out, you may want to just assess your condition a few weeks after surgery and then make the decision. I went back on a very limited basis after 4 weeks, caught a flu and was pretty much out for another 3 weeks. Work is important, but your health is more important.

joni moore  I am so glad to hear i'm not the only one experiencing "brain fog". I am 1 month in recovery from aortic valve replacement, I feel amazing with this new kind of energy, but if I have a visitor or spend a few hours with a person who takes a lot of attention, it wipes me out. David, i think 6 weeks sounds safer for you! God bless you--many prayers coming your way!