Jennifer's Profile

I had a Ross procedure at Penn Medicine in Philadelphia on September 11, 2026, after a fainting spell brought me to the ER two weeks earlier. I knew I had a bicuspid aortic valve since 2022, but I had largely ignored my symptoms and had gradually become less and less active. I was fortunate to have friends in the medical field who did some research on my behalf and helped me advocate for a transfer to Penn Medicine and the opportunity to have a Ross procedure. The Ross procedure was not offered at the hospital where I was originally admitted, and it wasn't presented to me as an option to consider. I was terrified about having surgery at all. This was my first surgery for any reason, so it was a pretty sudden transition from everyday life to facing major open-heart surgery! I was also disappointed to learn that traditional bioprosthetic valves typically have a limited lifespan, often around 10–15 years, although durability varies. As it turns out, I know someone who underwent a second valve replacement in July, before I even realized I would be facing my first. Learning about the Ross procedure gave me another option to consider, and I'm grateful that I had people in my corner who helped me find out about it. I wish I had known more about it sooner, and I hope more people facing aortic valve replacement will learn about the procedure and ask their doctors whether it might be appropriate for them. I'm still in the early stages of recovery, but I'm looking forward to getting back to a more active life. One of my biggest goals is to return to scuba diving. I'm hoping to connect with other people who have had a Ross procedure or other open-heart valve surgery, especially those who have returned to diving. I'd love to hear about their experiences and what returning to the activities they enjoy has looked like for them.