Hubert's Guestbook

Hi Hubert, I'm not sure how often you look at your journal these days, but I was interested in reaching out to you because you had the aortic repair, which is a little rarer than the typical replacement. My surgeon actually did a fellowship under your guy, Dr. Baveria. I was just curious about your experience, and whether or not you are back to life as normal. you can either email me back through this, or go to my journal under Matt O. if you get the time. THanks!

Hi Hubert, Glad you are doing well. This is Elaine. Not sure if you remember but Dr. Bavaria was also my surgeon 3 years ago. A few months ago I had my postings removed from the site for personal reasons, but as you see once you have heart surgery you are always drawn back to this site. You seem to be more heart healthy conscience than I am, that is great. Something I haven\'t learned and need to. Have you had your yearly check up with Dr. Bavaria? Hope all was good news. If you would like to respond my email is espiew@aol.com. Take care and God bless. Elaine

Hey Hubert, \"this should of been the first part of my Message\" Randy I too had surgery 3 years ago to replace my bicuspid aortic valve. I started getting your posts right after I had my surgery and and sorry I never signed your guestbook at that time. I guess I am kind of quiet that way. Regardless, I wanted to this time after reading your last post because I too am very aware of my heart all the time now. I never was before the surgery even though I had know about my bicuspid aortic valve for almost 20 yrs..

Sorry, I hit the wrong key before finishing. As far as being more spiritual, that too has changed in my life. I was always been so a certain degree, but more so now. I give thanks for everyday that I am healthy and strong. I get a few other postings as and some of these people are not as lucky as we are. I wish you the best and hopefully the next update you post is just as good as this last one. Take care and keep up the good work with the critters. Randy

Hi Hubert, I, too, think about my heart every day. I am so grateful to have been able to get my heart fixed. The surgery was a defining moment in my life, and I like to think I am a better person because of it......kinder, gentler and more patient. I am certainly more appreciative of my health, family and friends. I just feel blessed.....not because of my crappy heart, but because of all the love and support I\'ve received because of my crappy heart.. I am also very aware of my heart beats. I still have a lot palpitations ....lots of skipped beats and extra beats. Maybe that makes me think about my heart more than most. I also want to mention that I still get some pain on the left side of my chest and into my shoulder sometimes. It usually happens when I use my pectoral muscles a lot. It was really painful the first year after surgery, but it has gradually gotten better. Glad to hear you are doing well. Take care and God bless. Deb Ziegler

I think about my heart every day even though both my valves are working I am having a lot of difficulty controlling my blood pressure. Have kidney disease and was tested to see if narrowing of the renal artery was causing the problem, but not so. So more medication gets added. I am thankful these drugs are available as I don\'t know where zi would stand without them. I too am more emotional and it started about a week after my surgery (3+ years ago). Continue to do well and enjoy life. Fran (FL)

Hi Hubert Glad you\'re doing so well and feeling younger than before? I have been on metroprolol 100 mgs morn and bedtime and probably will be forever. Did you decide to lower your dose on your own or with doctor\'s recommendation? I personally would not play \"doctor\" with my meds--not a good idea. Continue to do well. Fran

Hi Hubert! How nice to see you here and to hear you are doing so well. I am still on metropolol a year+ after my bicuspid aortic valve was replaced. I did not have blood pressure issues prior to surgery, my blood pressure went very low right after surgery but stabilized within a few weeks. I\'ve had no a-fib (or other arrythmia) problems. It took a while to find a good dosage for me - I take 12.5mg in the morning and 25mg before bed. Any less and my heart pounds (especially when I get into bed) and any more, I get dizzy. My cardiologist is keeping me on the metropolol forever. (He thinks it can\'t hurt and possibly can help.) I would fight him on that (I don\'t like to take drugs if I don\'t have to) but when I forget to take it my heart pounds so I figure it\'s doing something good. Otherwise, I\'m doing great. It\'s amazing how much better I feel. Enjoy your good health! Ricki Shine

Hi Hubert, My name is Sean and I am going in to have my arotic valve replace. Dr. Baveria is doing my surgery as well. I am looking forwared to feeling better and having energy. Sean

Hi Hubert, Hope you are well. We were both so lucky to have Dr. Bavaria as our surgeon. Not sure if you are still reading your journal but if you are I wanted to respond to you. Prior to surgery Dr. Bavaria mentioned that he would try to repair the bicuspid valve but wouldn\'t know if he could until I was in surgery. Thankfully, he was able to do the repair. However, the ascending aortic aneursym was larger than expected and extended into the arch. I ended up having two dacron grafts pieced together, instead of one graft. I guess I\'m not as tough as I would like to think I am, as I still am experiencing tenderness, especially along the incison. I\'m sure with time this will subside. God bless and take care. Elaine