April's Journal

Joseph Freeman  I'm praying for you April and your family. Our God is a mighty God and He will guide you through this!

Tammy Pilcher  April, I'm also keeping you in my prayers. You have an awesome surgeon in Dr. Accola. He did my AVR in October 2014 and I have done very well. Isaiah 41:13 "For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not, I will help thee.". God bless you, heart sister!

April Curington  Oh wow Tammy that makes me feel so much better knowing you a good experience with the same surgeon. My time at the hospital today has been a long but good one everyone is so nice and say such good things about Dr Accola. I'm not as worried about surgery tomorrow I know I'm in good hands. Thanks Marie for your prayers as well! ❤️❤️❤️

Kathy Blank  April- I had minimally invasive mitral valve repair done robotically on February 8th of this year. Are you having robotic surgery? I have heard good things about your doctor also. I didn't have a big appetite right after surgery - wanted ice chips and popsicles which I think is to soothe my throat after the breathing tube. I did eat, but I was so tired that I didn't really get my appetite back for a week or so, once I got home from the hospital. You will probably be recommended to follow a heart healthy diet and avoid salt. Now that I am increasing my exercise during cardiac rehab, my appetite is back and I especially want protein. Sending you positive wishes and prayers for a successful and uneventful mitral valve repair!

Catie B  Everybody's different, April. I dealt with a lot of nausea and the tasteless hospital food didn't help. It got easier after being released.

April Curington  Kathy I was hoping for minimally invasive but unfortunately I'm not a candidate I guess. I've heard good things about my surgeon as well and he was so nice when I met with him. I plan to pick up some things from the store this week so I was just wondering. Thanks for the positive wishes,

Rita Savelis  Well, yes, your desire for food can change for a bit. I was astounded when presented with a regular meal almost immediately in hospital when all I wanted was something light. I was told that some are hungry. I ate, without an appetite for a long time. I also didn't want anything sweet for a long time afterward. There is no special diet to follow unless you are someone who wasn't eating properly before your surgery. I think eating everything in moderation is a good plan for most. I had a hard time regaining weight after surgery and the cardio nutritionists weren't very good at helping as they are used to getting people to lose weight. I saw a cancer nutritionist who at least understood what it's like to lose an appetite.... It really is different for everyone though. Wishing you the best!

Marie Myers  My appetite has not been great since surgery, but I am making it a priority to eat well. Small frequent meals work for me. Am still down a couple pounds from my pre surgery weight of 110 lbs.

Henry Brouwer  I had 2 angiograms and no pain. They did a local freezing and then I watched on the 80" TV. I felt a few small pricks when they froze the groin area, but that's it.

Rita Savelis  No pain that I remember. And I don't know what "freezing" is either.... Is that what you're calling local anasthesia? The procedure is weird, but not painful...

April Curington  Ok good to know, I'm having this done the day before surgery via the grown and my surgeon did mention I believe that I will be sedated.

Cathleen Weed  Any significant weight gain after heart surgery would usually be due to fluid retention. Your doctor will give you a temporary diuretic while they check for the cause. Typically weight gain isn't an issue.

April Curington  Oh ok thanks. I am currently taking a water pill daily as I retain fluid now in which my legs and feet swell

Cathleen Weed  You'll probably have an intermittent compression device on your legs after surgery with an air pump to squeeze your legs throughout the day and night to help with that 💛. They are a soft inflatable material and actually feel pretty good. At home you can use compression sleeves.

April Curington  Oh ok I think I had to use that machine after my stroke to avoid clotting. I will look compression sleeves before hand. Thanks for clearing that up for me. I'm so glad I stumbled upon this site!

Catie B  April, they put Ted hose on me in the hospital, which I was instructed to wear for two weeks after discharge.

April Curington  Thanks Catie, I googled them and found them at Walmart and Amazon prime so if their needed there just one click away! One step closer.

Henry Brouwer  Hi April, I weighed 187 lbs going into surgery and weighed 204 when I got home. A week later, I weighed 190, so I presume it was mostly fluid build-up.