Hi Earl, If you will allow, I would like to provide my opinion to your question that you posted to Andrew. You ask, from a recovery perspective, the... Read more
Hi Earl, If you will allow, I would like to provide my opinion to your question that you posted to Andrew. You ask, from a recovery perspective, the differences between the Ross Procedure and a Mechanical Valve. I feel it's difficult to fully answer that question because I only have the perspective of recovery from the Ross Procedure. I personally have had a generally smooth recovery and am doing really well at 7 months post-op. I am currently weening off of the BP meds and hopefully in 4-6 more weeks I will be med free, depending on the stability of my BP. My sternum is fully healed and doesn't bother me barring a major impact of some kind. I still get some muscle tightness but maybe that's because I am lifting weights and working out.
In my humble opinion, which is far from a doctors opinion, and only one sample observed/experienced....is that recovering from open heart surgery whether it be mechanical, bio valve or a Ross is most likely a similar experience. The after care may differ as far as medication and such. Now, you must remember that each patient is very different and there are many variables that will play into the recovery experience.
I believe there are patients who have had a mechanical valve first and then the Ross Procedure after, for various reasons. Maybe one of them will chime in with their experience from recovery having had both procedures. Again, that would only be one example and not a great study or sample for a definitive answer to your question.
Bottom line is that open heart surgery is open heart surgery. Go with your gut feeling of what you should do and how you should choose the right procedure for yourself. And, remember that "paralysis by analysis" is a real thing. Do you research and educate yourself but trust your gut feeling and go with that. Once you choose, trust the process and do your best at being at peace with your choices. I pray that you are directed to the right decision that best fits your needs. I hope this helps a little. God Bless you
Ana Brusso Oh our little Tim, well said. God bless you 🙏
Earl Brigham Tim - Thank you very much for sharing your thoughts, and what you describe is pretty much what I assu ... Read more
Earl Brigham Tim - Thank you very much for sharing your thoughts, and what you describe is pretty much what I assumed, although you don't know what you don't know. I am hoping to have the opportunity to speak with Dr. Burke at the UW Heart Institute in the next month regarding the Ross procedure and if I would be a good candidate for it.
I also understand what you mean by paralysis by analysis. Fortunately for me, that has never been a problem. I like to understand my options well, and then I have no problem selecting one and dedicating my efforts to my decision.
Hi Earl , I take warfarin and now my I n r is stable and usually in my range , I go to the phlebotomy dept . At the local hospital every six weeks , it is ...Read more
Hi Earl , I take warfarin and now my I n r is stable and usually in my range , I go to the phlebotomy dept . At the local hospital every six weeks , it is usually a quick 5/ 10 minute visit . The staff are all wonderful ! Any medication I need gets delivered to my local pharmacy and they are great too !
I only took "something more" than Tylenol on the first day. They were careful about reminding me you want to "stay ahead" of the pain, but also about ...Read more
I only took "something more" than Tylenol on the first day. They were careful about reminding me you want to "stay ahead" of the pain, but also about asking me before doses to describe how I was feeling - if I felt I needed it "yet". When I started to say "no" when it was already "time", they switched me to Tylenol only and then monitored how I was feeling. Also, it's important to take real seriously what they say about being mindful of your movements. You want to use the heart shaped pillow as they tell you, and avoid use of the arms (which is why you clutch the pillow). I found it all to be much less painful than I'd anticipated.
Earl Brigham Thank you for your reassuring words...
After receiving a bovine pericardial valve to replace my diseased bicuspid aortic valve, I did not experience pain. I did have discomfort, temporary exhaustion, ...Read more
After receiving a bovine pericardial valve to replace my diseased bicuspid aortic valve, I did not experience pain. I did have discomfort, temporary exhaustion, and some need to increase my hemoglobin. I took 365 (low dose) Tylenol to help me sleep the first few weeks. I was very fortunate. My surgery was a minimally invasive one, thankfully. I made a full, robust recovery and I am 3 1/2 years post-op. I with you success, low pain, and no complications.
Earl Brigham Thank you so much for your reassurance...
I didn't need much pain medication at all after my open heart surgery. I guess they gave me some opiates the first day in ICU, but I was too doped up ...Read more
I didn't need much pain medication at all after my open heart surgery. I guess they gave me some opiates the first day in ICU, but I was too doped up to remember, lol. After that, they switched me to Tylenol and by the third day, I didn't even need that. But everyone's built differently. I suggest you make your concerns known to your team and that they make sure not to get you addicted to anything. Their focus is very likely to be getting you off pain meds as soon as reasonable, while ensuring your pain level is easily bearable by you. Every good wish, Artie
Ed Eller Earl, I had a full sternotomy and only needed the oxy type pain meds for two days after surgery then ... Read more
Ed Eller Earl, I had a full sternotomy and only needed the oxy type pain meds for two days after surgery then switched to Tylenol. I'm 2 weeks past surgery and now take 1-2 Tylenol per day more for headaches than anything else. My incisions are little to no pain.
Earl Brigham Hey Guys - Thank you!!! I'm beginning to think that my concerns might have been over-blown... I hav ... Read more
Earl Brigham Hey Guys - Thank you!!! I'm beginning to think that my concerns might have been over-blown... I have an appointment with my cardiologist on 11/9 and I will discuss with them for sure...
Hi Earl. In my case I definitely needed opiates after surgery and about 2 weeks after. I couldn't have done without them. When I had no more need of ...Read more
Hi Earl. In my case I definitely needed opiates after surgery and about 2 weeks after. I couldn't have done without them. When I had no more need of them I simply stopped. No problems. A word on addiction: not everyone can be easily addicted and that also usually takes time. A lot of it in most cases. Yet there are physiological considerations. Sometimes our bodies are keyed for a particular substance.
Hopefully you'll have similar experiences to others here and not need any and the Tylenol will do the trick. If not get the care you need and be comfortable which is essential to healing afterwards
God speed!
Bill Durkin
Earl Brigham Thank you for your kind words... I have never been addicted to anything, except bad for you food, bu ... Read more
Earl Brigham Thank you for your kind words... I have never been addicted to anything, except bad for you food, but it has always been a worry for me... Throughout my life, whenever I came home thinking I needed a drink - I did not have one just for that reason...
Earl , you are doing really well . When you get a diagnosis it can take time for it to sink in . You are going to be okay and you will still be ...Read more
Earl , you are doing really well . When you get a diagnosis it can take time for it to sink in . You are going to be okay and you will still be around for your family .
Earl Brigham Thank you for the kind words... To be honest, dying is not what worries me the most, I have already ... Read more
Earl Brigham Thank you for the kind words... To be honest, dying is not what worries me the most, I have already lived a blessed life... It is spending the rest of my life seeing doctors... That is not how I want to live, nor is it how I want my family to see me living...
Diane Pellowe Earl, I get that. Doctor visits and pain are what worry me. Let’s hope with good treatment that w ... Read more
Diane Pellowe Earl, I get that. Doctor visits and pain are what worry me. Let’s hope with good treatment that we get more good life.,
Hi Earl, Congrats on your taking the diet bull by the horn and getting smartly ready for your upcoming surgery. When dieting, one question I would ask ...Read more
Hi Earl, Congrats on your taking the diet bull by the horn and getting smartly ready for your upcoming surgery. When dieting, one question I would ask dieters is, "Are there any issues in your life that have nothing to do with your appetite for food that are subconsciously making you eat more than is healthy? In my own case, I was packing on the pounds because of relationship frustrations and boredom. It was only when I felt my feelings about them fully, rather than suppress my emotions with cheesecake (etc.), that I started eating healthy again. One of the best appetite controls I've ever found is to fully feel my authentic feelings. This may not be your own situation, I just wanted to suggest this solution. Every good wish with your surgery, Artie
Earl Brigham That is a very good introspective!!! My problem is multi-faceted and I know it is... First off, I l ... Read more
Earl Brigham That is a very good introspective!!! My problem is multi-faceted and I know it is... First off, I love food... My wife always jokes that when we hear that family is coming home, she starts planning activities and I start planning meals... I also believe that I am addicted to sugar... Everything that I love is dominated by carbohydrate... I also use food as a reward and as a comfort tool... So - yeah, I have a pretty unhealthy relationship with food!!!!
Hey Earl, cool to read your story. I had my surgery at UW back in June. If you have any questions feel free to hit me up.
Earl Brigham Thank you... It is just beginning and I hope that it has a happy ending!!! How is your recovery goi ... Read more
Earl Brigham Thank you... It is just beginning and I hope that it has a happy ending!!! How is your recovery going??? We both share a love of the outdoors and fishing!!!