David's Guestbook

Ken Fulton  Angus,  have you looked into the Ross procedure? I am 3 weeks removed from my surgery at age 59, and so far, all is good. Not everyone is a match for this. I was lucky in that both my pulmonary and aortic valves were large and of similar size. 

David Buchanan  Angus

hope you're doing well like Ken mentioned the Ross procedure may be a good option for you. I was offered the Ross procedure but decided at my age of 56 it might be a little bit too much for me and so I opted for the mechanical valve .

I'm very lucky I live in a major city in Australia so I have no issue with access to doctors or hospitals and have found the management of the blood thinners while challenging has become easier each week.

My blood thinning levels are now relatively stable so I only need to take a certain amount of warfarin per day to keep them at those levels. I'm currently getting tested once per week.

I'm very active and do CROSSFIT and so I'm having to look at how I manage that aspect of my life although at only four weeks after surgery I'm still not allowed to return.

I'm extremely happy with the valve. It is very quiet. I can only hear it when I'm by myself and very rarely.

The valve itself seems to be performing very well and nobody else has even mentioned the noise as it basically cannot be heard.

Like you, I was worried about the long time blood thinners but now I have made the decision not to have another surgery by having a mechanical valve. I am extremely happy that I made that choice.

My fitness is returning relatively quickly and I've been told I will be able to go back to do CROSSFIT and all the normal things that I was doing.



Understand if you are out in the wilderness it might be a little bit dangerous if you cut yourself accidentally or fell but on the other side the mechanical valve is really quite a powerful addition to my heart and I really haven't even considered to worry about that aspect whatsoever.

I will say, however that I'm not a camper or Hunter and therefore I can't give you any exact idea on what that may mean for you in the wilderness.

I wish you all the best of luck and of course Adam Pick who started this website also had the Ross procedure and maybe be well worth talking to

Angus Butler  Thank you Ken and David, great information!  Great to hear of your success with having the Ross procedure Ken!  

I have discussed the Ross procedure with my surgeon and at first we I was leaning that way until the next appointment he said I might not be a candidate.  I have another apt next week and will get clarification on why that is.  My surgeons suggestion if it was him at my age was to go with a mechanical valve.  I like what I’m learning of the ONx valve and if anyone else out there has had an ONx valve replacement and could share any information on their valve replacement with ONx it would be greatly appreciated.

David Buchanan  Carl
Best advice pre-surgery is to try to stay fit and healthy lose a little bit of weight if you need to and eat very clean. Fish meat grains and fruit.
I went into surgery relatively fit 


post surgery on week three now and I think the best advice is to be gentle with yourself and to be ready for good days and bad days

I was lucky I had a minimal invasive procedure via my right underarm to replace my aortic valve.

Each day the pain varies. I think one of the key points will be most likely to maintain your sleep as best you can. Utilise painkillers night to get a good rest. I have struggled with sleeping which makes the recovery a little bit harder.

I’m sure you’ll be absolutely fine. It is a journey and take each day as it comes and also try to stay positive as best you can.

David Pearl  Set up a nursing home for at least  month as a bridge between home and the hospital. Get ready for major grief is the staff is good at the hospital. Eat well ( I am vegan) exercise a lot

Sandra Weathers  Do exercises to strengthen your legs to enable standing from a seated position without using your arms or elbows to help push yourself up.

Marie Myers  I did not need a nursing home for a month. If you have someone to help you at home,  I feel that is enough. I started cardiac rehab at 3 weeks, and it was a great confidence builder. Also, if you are a supplement -taking person, I would advise you to go off most everything. You would be surprised how many supplements can prolong bleeding time. Increase protein preop intake to bolster your healing, too.

Rose Madura  PRE: I would recommend "Pre-hab" that Dr. Gerdisch (on this site) recommends to his patients. Hopefully, you'll find information in the learning center.  Educate yourself on what to expect.  Sandra's advise was great. Maybe have some meals prepared ahead of time and freeze them.  

POST: I went straight home from the hospital so you don't need a nursing home unless you don't have anyone to care for you. A recliner helped.  I did not do rehab because of some post op complications but Marie is correct, it will help.  

David Buchanan  I’ve now had two showers and I can’t believe how great it feels to have all the monitors out and all of the tubes out and all of the wires out. It’s such a good feeling to feel normal.