Dan's Guestbook

Dan

best of luck tomorrow! I had the same thing done on February 3rd of this year and everything is great. Your in good hands and will be looking forward to your updates 

Wishing you all the best on your surgery 3/28. That happens to be the  5 year anniversary of my own AVR, ascending and root aneurysm surgery. Though not a walk in the park, it is doable. Be patient with yourself during recovery, and listen to your body. Someone on this this site called recovery an “enforced vacation” which I think Is a good description, especially for an active person. Looking forward to seeing  your post-op notes!

From one Dan to another - I'm a mitral valve guy but we all seem to go through similar experiences. I was out of bed the day after, walking by day 2. A little bit of AFib, but they say that's common and since I'm just 10 days out it will self-correct. These days right before can be trying, but focus on the fact that by 2 weeks from now you will feel great, have little, if any, pain and you WILL soon be doing all the things you love again. And the fact that you've exercised before and are in good shape will have everybody saying 'You look great!" (I love when they say that.) Good luck to you Dan!

Hi Dan, my name is Marilyn and I had open heart surgery last fall. Like you I was hoping that the less invasive procedure was the one for me but I needed the full open heart procedure.  Replaced aortic and mitral valves and repaired tricuspid. A surprise since I had no symptoms. Good thing my docs got on it. Went to Cleveland Clinic

and they did a super job. Lots of horror stories out there about the surgery and the pain, but my experience was much better. First, some discomfort but no in the real hard pain at all. On ibuprophen on day 4 and out of the hospital morning of day five. I had a bit of A Fib but it went away on its own.  Had to monitor my meds because the blood pressure meds they put me on just had too many side effects.

They get you moving right away so best if you are fit before you go in. I exercise moderately on a daily basis and always have.  I do stretching and lots of deep breathing every evening and I think these were
very very helpful in a fast recovery. They glued my sternum instead of external stitches.  Wrapped inside with good thin wire.  I never was 
bothered by this and my scar is barely visible. I do feel a difference in my breathing... just more oxygen moving through my heart and the rest of my body.  Feels great.



I am 80 and am not restricted at all in activities.  All in all I have no horror stories to share.  Just a fast surgery and easy recovery.

It is natural to b nervous but if you have a lot of confidence in your surgical team just try to relax and turn it all over to them.

Good luck!   

Hi Dan, I had an aortic replacement via OHS about 2 years ago and have enjoyed a terrific outcome as I’m  sure you will.  I’m stronger and healthier than ever.  My advice for recuperation is to enjoy it, sort of like an enforced vacation. My days were anchored by 3 walks and in between I read, dozed, played cards, watched movies.  In other words I didn’t place any pressure on myself to be “productive” just to heal.  I had a goal to work towards to ge backpacking 3.5 months post surgery and that helped focus me.  You will have insomnia, various aches and pains in your chest, fatigue and more. But know it will soon pass and you’ll be stronger and healthier soon.  Here’s to your successful surgery and a stronger and more vibrant you!

Best of luck for a fantastic outcome.  I, too, ride my bike a lot and it'll be great to do hills again, won't it?  It's hard to be asymptomatic!  My pictures certainly don't match the symptoms now, so I wait.  Glad that this will be in your rear view mirror.  Onward and upward!

Hi Dan,

I had the exact same surgery/diagnosis 11+ years ago at UH in Cleveland, OH.  I was 53 at the time and otherwise healthy.  Recovery was tough 1st week, but by week 7 I was back at work and feeling 90%+.  Everything is still going well and my valve is still not showing any problems.  I'm sure outcomes are even better these days.  Good luck.

Thanks for sharing!  What you have, is what I have and it's all progressing toward the same surgical remedy.  Your profile photo leads me to believe your are an active athlete, road racer or criterium lover?  I'm a trail ultrarunner, with my situation slowing me down as time goes by.  Wishing you only the very best outcomes, a very speedy recovery, and many podium finishes in your future!  YOU GOT THIS!!!!!!!

Hi Dan,

Welcome . 
It’s normal to feel worried and anxious before surgery .
Try and distract yourself and keep your mind occupied .
Get outdoors and see nature / the great outdoors ! Try and get yourself as physically strong as you are up to / able to to give yourself a head start post operatively . Try and eat as well as you can , even if your appetite might not be very good just now .
Be kind to yourself .

Hi Dan! Wishing you well on upcoming surgery. I too was leaning towards TAVR but then after further discussion am going with OHS. I’m a nervous wreck as we just had to push it back 2 weeks soo now surgery will be in April. Like you stated very anxious at this point. Best of luck to you and I can’t wait to hear about your recovery! 

You will be in great hands having Dr. Gerdisch do your surgery! I was really impressed with all the staff at a Franciscan Health and Dr. Gerdisch really cares about his patients. He’s personally called me yesterday from the airport to help me figure out how to manage some stomach issues and his APRN even offered to come to my hotel to check on me. Top notch.

Dan, I get the nerves. You are going to do AWESOME! Dr. Gerdisch has successfully treated many, many, many patients in our community. Great job researching and finding him!!! I know Dr. Gerdisch is going to use all of his amazing skills to help you achieve a wonderful result. Fyi, you might find comfort in the following videos I filmed with Dr. Gerdisch and his patients.