Teresa 's Guestbook

Hi Teresa, I'm sure your be fine, just a lot of healing, back in May I had BAV replacement at UPMC Passavant Pittsburgh, doing great now, back to work. Any input needed please message.
Brian

Not to worry. They have been doing these surgeries for years and they have become pretty routine. I'm not sure if you're doing open heart or TAVR. With open heart, like I had, healing is a bit weird. It's not linear. You don't just keep feeling better EVERY day. For me, there were good days and bad days, and as you heal you have more and more good days than bad, so don't get frustrated. Keep using the spirometer until your breathing is back to the way it was before surgery. Sleep wasn't easy for me at first, so sleep and nap as much as you can to heal faster. Do plenty of walking, but don't do too much too soon. Listen to your body. It takes a while for pain meds to work, so take them as soon as it starts hurting, not after the pain has been there awhile because it will keep getting worse until the pain meds kick in. Don't be scared though, the pain is totally tolerable and I got down to just taking some regular over the counter pain meds pretty quickly. Lots of answers on this sight if you look for them. They definitely helped me not to worry so much before surgery. Things are going to be fine and you'll feel even better after you heal then you did before you had surgery. I had my Aortic Valve replacement surgery the day before my 50th birthday, and I call it my rebirthday, because I felt like a new man afterwards. Good luck.

Teresa, not to worry.  I had the same diagnosis three years ago, and had my implant done in Miami by Dr Xydas. He does it through the side of the chest and my recovery was remarkably smooth.  Play golf 47 days after the surgery.  Turned 73 in the hospital and the only time I know I have an artificial valve is when I go to the dentist and have to take amoxicillin beforehand.   Good luck it'll soon be behind you before you know it