{"id":811,"date":"2009-06-02T10:12:13","date_gmt":"2009-06-02T15:12:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.heart-valve-surgery.com\/heart-surgery-blog\/2009\/06\/02\/recovery-time\/"},"modified":"2025-06-10T14:36:14","modified_gmt":"2025-06-10T19:36:14","slug":"recovery-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.heart-valve-surgery.com\/heart-surgery-blog\/2009\/06\/02\/recovery-time\/","title":{"rendered":"“When Were You 100% Recovered From Open Heart Surgery?” Asks Holly"},"content":{"rendered":"

On the topic of heart valve surgery recovery, I just received a very important question from Holly.<\/p>\n

Her note reads, “Hi Adam – I’m nervous, anxious, concerned, afraid, excited and, most importantly, hopeful regarding my mitral valve replacement surgery<\/a> next week. I have severe regurgitation from mitral valve prolapse. Beyond the surgery, I want to know how long will it take to be 100% recovered. I am an active 66-year old that loves to chase my grandchildren around the park. Thank you, Holly”<\/p>\n

As noted above, I believe Holly raises one of the most relevant questions for patients evaluating the entire heart valve surgery process, “How long does it take to feel 100% again?”<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

While this is a great question… I do not have a great, explicit answer which details a specific day or exact time in which patients consider themselves “fully recovered”.<\/p>\n

Instead, I offer patients and caregivers an honest, two-word response to this inquiry.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

That response is… “It depends!”<\/p>\n

“Why such a vague response?” you may be wondering.<\/p>\n

Well… I use the “It depends!” response because I have learned through my experience and the experience of others that heart surgery recovery is a very personal, patient process.<\/p>\n

Yes, the type of surgery (open heart or minimally invasive) will impact recovery times given the different levels of trauma to the body. However, more importantly, I have found that patients simply heal at different rates – both physically and mentally.<\/p>\n

As for me, I was told that I would “be back to normal” eight weeks after my double valve replacement.<\/p>\n

Guess what?<\/p>\n

That was grossly incorrect. So you know, at eight weeks, I was facing the challenges of chest pain (from my broken sternum)<\/a> and cardiac depression<\/a>. Needless to say, that was not a fun time for me or my family. Over time, however, I did get better. After attending a fantastic cardiac rehab program at Torrance Memorial Hospital, my brain and body began the path to recovery.<\/p>\n

However, please note… It would not be for another year until I considered myself “recovered”. To be precise, I designate the 435th day after surgery as the day my recovery ended. On that incredible day, I returned to the Pacific Ocean with my surfboard to engage in one of my favorite hobbies… surfing<\/a>.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/div>\n
435 Days After Surgery… I Surf Again!<\/div>\n

 
\n <\/p>\n

Patient Survey To Consider<\/h2>\n

This might be of interest to you.\u00a0 Here are the results of a recent patient survey in which I asked, “How long did it take you to return to work after heart surgery?” As you can see, there is a wide range of answers to this question.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A Key Point To Remember<\/h2>\n

You may have noticed that I did not use the term “100% Recovered” in my little story above. Instead, what I tell people is that I am 98%-to-99% recovered today.<\/p>\n

I don’t say I’m 100% recovered because every once in-a-while I still get a pain in my chest or a soreness when I breathe. It’s not often, but I do notice it. When I feel those pains, I don’t dwell on them. Rather, I use them as inspirational tools to remind me of how far I have come since my aortic and pulmonary valve replacements.<\/p>\n

Please, please, please remember that the story above is my story… Others, including you, may have a completely different heart surgery recovery story. I know some patients that were back on the golf course in 6 weeks after heart valve surgery. I also know other patients that, like me, had delayed recoveries.<\/p>\n

Now, for all the former valve repair and valve replacement patients reading this… Can you help answer this question for Holly? Are you 100% recovered? If so, how long did your heart surgery recovery take? If so, please leave a comment below.<\/p>\n

Related Links:<\/p>\n