David's Guestbook

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

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.