Hey Jason, I'm also 43 and had mitral valve repair last December. 7 months have passed and I forget about the surgery except when I take off my shirt and see ...Read more
Hey Jason, I'm also 43 and had mitral valve repair last December. 7 months have passed and I forget about the surgery except when I take off my shirt and see the long scar. No medication, no after affects. Actually also no more weird, skipped heart beats and palpitations that I used to ahve..
Jason Lathrop That's great, Guy. Glad to hear. I'm feeling pretty good these days and also feeling fortunate they c ... Read more
Jason Lathrop That's great, Guy. Glad to hear. I'm feeling pretty good these days and also feeling fortunate they can fix this so well. Medicine is crazy.
How's your resting heart rate now? My heart rate used to by like 69-73 when I woke up, but I'm never lower than like 96-104 now (7 weeks out). They say it will go down but sheesh my heart is fast now!
Guy Blachman Funny you should ask, my heart rate is also high post up, never lower than 90. I asked my cardiologis ... Read more
Guy Blachman Funny you should ask, my heart rate is also high post up, never lower than 90. I asked my cardiologist he says its normal..
Hi jason
I actually already have had my surgery with the wizard of hearts, Dr. Swanson, back in June, 2013. You had the best in town, in my opinion. Your experiences ...Read more
Hi jason
I actually already have had my surgery with the wizard of hearts, Dr. Swanson, back in June, 2013. You had the best in town, in my opinion. Your experiences with post-op fatigue mirrored mine, but I had to spend several weeks in a post-acute rehab center. I had bought an electric recliner and had it moved to the faciltiy for use there as well. You will improve quickly because you are younger and fitter. And I think a glass or two of Oregon wine (or Washington) is just the tonic you need! Once the pain meds are behind you, that is. So glad things went well for you.
I am slated for a full sternotomy mitral valve repair in May or June. Where did you have yours done? Where did you rent the power recliner?
Jason Lathrop I rented my recliners (two of them!) from a local place called McCann Medical. We live in Portland OR ... Read more
Jason Lathrop I rented my recliners (two of them!) from a local place called McCann Medical. We live in Portland OR, but I'm sure most cities have something like it. I don't think we really actually needed two of them. I do recommend getting one for sleeping at least for a couple of weeks. Ours were $150 a month each for the rental. They are upholstered in vinyl, of course, since they need to be very washable between clients.
I had my surgery at Providence St. Vincents. I asked around a bunch until I got multiple referrals to the same guy, Dr. Jeff Swanson. He has a profile on this site and answers some questions in an interview with Adam about how to pick a surgeon. As near as we can tell, he was an excellent choice. He has developed an expertise in mitral valves and was able to give me a near guarantee (no such thing as a real guarantee) of a repair. He also has excellent bedside manner and really instills confidence. I trust him completely. One thing he said in that interview that is really important is this: You should be allowed to ask your surgeon very direct questions about your odds of a repair and their own clinical outcomes. In my opinion, if a surgeon seems uncomfortable answering questions like that, run don't walk to another provider.
I was told after surgery by Dr. Swanson and my also excellent anesthesiologist that I got an "excellent repair." Fingers crossed for durability and no recurrence of the regurgitation, at least until a bullet, cancer, or car wreck takes my life, --anything but heart failure :) .
The full sternotomy is not really that bad. Yes it hurts. Yes the lifting restrictions are really inconvenient for awhile (try that with a 3 and 6 year old in the house), but the sternotomy is just about access -- all bone and skin and muscle. That stuff heals predictably with time. The critical part is when they start opening up your pericardium and heart tissue, so I really wanted to tradeoff all of my risks in favor of maximum surgical quality -- repair options and technique with direct eyes on my heart. However, lots of people choose minim invasive robotics and are very happy with their results.
I am three weeks post-surgery and feeling--all things considered--fantastic. It's a bumpy ride, but I am optimistic now. Research the hell out of things, ask good questions, and trust.
Donna Gavin That's great to hear. I have a bileaflet prolapse with severe regurgitation and posssibly broken chor ... Read more
Donna Gavin That's great to hear. I have a bileaflet prolapse with severe regurgitation and posssibly broken chordae. I had breast cancer and radiation treatments and the right side. I also have Ehler danlos. So my surgeon wants to be safe and get a good repair. I am getting a secon opinion on May 4th, and will schedule it soon thereafter, probably end of May. I am terrified of the pain! I hear its very painful. I get very nauseated with opiod/narcotic medication.
I will look into the recliner. I hadnt even thought of that. Any other suggestions that you'd have for me?
You should be sleeping A bit at home I hope. I'm in Seattle in your time zone. Shoot me a message if you have any questions or concerns or need advice real ...Read more
You should be sleeping A bit at home I hope. I'm in Seattle in your time zone. Shoot me a message if you have any questions or concerns or need advice real time. I found texting with someone who "knows" invaluable. The next couple weeks will be tough, but nothing you can't handle. Pat@outlook.com
Jason Lathrop Hey. Yeah we're down in Portland. You in Seattle? I used to live there a couple of times. I slept a t ... Read more
Jason Lathrop Hey. Yeah we're down in Portland. You in Seattle? I used to live there a couple of times. I slept a ton last night--woke up only once to take a pain med and out on some quiet music again. Felt amazing. I really feel like I turned some kind of corner. I still fatigue way easier than before but I'm up and slowly doing stuff during the day. I cannot believe how good they are at this stuff. I will send you an email!
Ashley and Jason- Just wanted to say congratulations on joining those of us on the other side of surgery and I hope your recovery runs smoothly. Know that being ...Read more
Ashley and Jason- Just wanted to say congratulations on joining those of us on the other side of surgery and I hope your recovery runs smoothly. Know that being tired is one of those things that seems to last forever but that it is your bodies way of "trying to kick back" and let things find a way back to your "normal". The fact that you have had anesthesia, meds to help combat pain issues and in general have been poked and prodded for a time it is like a child being given "time out" and needs this time to help you gain back your strength (which will come back quicker than you think). The emotions and anxiety felt prior to surgery is also finding a way of letting loose as you realize what you are capable of doing and finding out what you need to take a little time for. As frustrating as this can be it is part of the "norm" and it will get better. One of the hardest parts of recovery for me and most I have talked with is having to rely on others for what we need but right now it is important you let in the help, appreciate it and know it will get better for both you and those doing the caregiving too. Being up and walking around will be a boost to your psyche too. Continue to heal and be patient with yourself and those around you as the days ahead will be different--NEW! Take care and good luck to you!
Hello Jason, I wanted to join the many heart brothers and sisters wishing you well on your surgery day tomorrow, April 6th. I hope that you have confidence ...Read more
Hello Jason, I wanted to join the many heart brothers and sisters wishing you well on your surgery day tomorrow, April 6th. I hope that you have confidence in the surgeon and your team of people who will mend your heart so that you will be out in recovery with this behind you(which is the worst part! The waiting.) Thoughts and prayers are with you and I hope you will find it as surprising as I did upon being wheeled into surgery and waking up like it had only taken 15 minutes and the realization was that I could feel such huge relief that it was "OVER"! Be confident and I hope to hear you and Robyn(who is going in tomorrow also soon comparing recovery stories. Sleep well tonight heart brother for tomorrow is a big day and you are going to do really, really well! Take care.......
How you doin? Shall we do this? Hoping that you are able to have a peaceful day and evening in prep for surgery tomorrow. I don't know about you, but I ...Read more
How you doin? Shall we do this? Hoping that you are able to have a peaceful day and evening in prep for surgery tomorrow. I don't know about you, but I am so ready to be "post op..." and have this behind me.! Healing thoughts coming to you there in Portland.
Jason Lathrop Nothing like life saving surgery after Easter, eh? Good luck Robyn. Catch you on the other side, whol ... Read more
Jason Lathrop Nothing like life saving surgery after Easter, eh? Good luck Robyn. Catch you on the other side, whole and successful.
Upcoming Surgeries
Mark Giordano
Bicuspid Aortic Valve
September 16, 2025
Dr. Doug Johnston is a world-renowned heart valve surgeon that has performed thousands of heart valve operations that include minimally-invasive techniques.
My surgery date is: April 6, 2015
How's your resting heart rate now? My heart rate used to by like 69-73 when I woke up, but I'm never lower than like 96-104 now (7 weeks out). They say it will go down but sheesh my heart is fast now!