Adam's Guestbook

Adam Baumgartner  I did not have any sternum issues. Mine was wired together. I was very careful with sternum precautions for 6 weeks post surgery. Your other question I saw, the tube was out before I woke up from surgery. Some people say they remember getting it out but I didn't. I considered Ross, but I chose mechanical as my backup because I had regurgitation and Ross will work but more ideal for those with stenosis. Everyone is different and has different thoughts so Ross may be right for you. Ask potential surgeons lots of questions. 

Donna Casaletto  Adam, I’m just curious are the sternums routinely wired together or did your sternum require something stronger? 

Adam Baumgartner  Yes. Wires are standard to keep the two sides together while it heals. Some people get plates with screws holding the  sternum together.  This is called rigid sternal fixation.  It's supposed to speed up and make recovery easier. But wires were standard for my surgeon so that's what I got. My understanding was he only did rigid fixation for high risk patients because it makes reoperations more difficult or weaker bone or something like that. 

Greg Lewis  Mine was wired, also. I am currently looking into if the wires have moved. My right pec keeps swelling, and maybe getting the wires removed will solve the problem. But, I think wires are pretty standard.

Donna Casaletto  Thank you Adam and Greg, I’ll be sure to ask at my 2nd pre-op appointment tomorrow what type of closure I’ll have. Greg, I hope you find the answers to your swelling  soon! 

Greg Lewis  Thanks, Donna! Me too. I wish I had these, back when we used to put tinfoil on the TV antenna, to get reception. ..😂

Adam Baumgartner  The whole team at UW was fantastic. I was in the hospital for 5 days. Open heart surgery with a full sternotomy is scary, but it provides better visibility and access for the surgeon to perform a successful surgery. To me that is the important thing. I was sore for a while but my sternum and incision didn't really hurt. It was mostly muscle pain for me. 6 months later and I feel better than I have in a couple years. I wish you luck and would be happy to answer any other questions. 

Adam Baumgartner  Ruth, thanks for checking in. I am doing well. Still have numbness in my hand and it's actually a little more tingly, but hoping that means feeling is coming back. Nerves in my chest are a lot better. Otherwise feeling great. I haven't felt this well exercising in a long time. I started jogging in cardiac rehab last week. It's amazing!  Will be 4 months post op in a few days. Unfortunately, my younger brother just found out he also has a bicuspid valve but he has no symptoms or stenosis or regurgitation at this time. Hopefully stays that way. At least he is aware of it ahead of time, unlike me. 

Rose Madura  I was on Amiodadrone and Metoprolol in large doses.  During my last hospital stay about 2-1/2 months after my surgery, I refused it (Amiodadrone). They put me on Multaq (very expensive but less side effects).  Then it seemed everything got better after 3 months and they weaned me off.  Now I'm on 25 mg of Metoprolol Succant (sp?) And 2.5 mg of Amlodipine plus 1 baby aspirin every other day.  I'm close to 5 years out now and all is well.  My eyesight had worsened from Amiodadrone as well.  It's ok for short term just after surgery but I wouldn't want to be on it longer.  I'm not a doctor but talk from personal experience. 

Jim Nowicki  Thanks Rose I will look into that medication. I can't take this Amiodadrone any more it is causing me serious side effects and has me feeling awful.