David's Guestbook

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.