Hi everyone, sorry it’s been so long since I posted. Well it’s been ~2.5 years since my Aortic Valve and Aortic Artery replacement (Nov 8, 2017).
Technically ...Read more
Hi everyone, sorry it’s been so long since I posted. Well it’s been ~2.5 years since my Aortic Valve and Aortic Artery replacement (Nov 8, 2017).
Technically on the plastic wallet card it says: “Median sternotomy, aortic valve replacement w/ 27m Carpentier – Edwards bioprosthesis, repair of noncoronary sinus of Valsalva aneurysm w/ Dacron patch, ascending aorta replacement w/ 30m graft, ligation of left atrial appendage w/35mm ArtrClip”. Now that’s a load to type!
I’m still doing great, working a normal 50-hour week, traveling for work (except not traveling now due to the virus), walk/jog 5 miles a day, lift weights 2-3 times a week, and still enjoying my beer and wine (in moderation of course). I’ve had my meds adjusted a few times since my heart rate was in the mid 40’s so they reduced my Metoprolol from day one of 100mg, ~9 months later to 50mg, and recently to 25mg. I feel VERY fortunate that I haven’t had any complications and down to seeing my cardiologist once a year.
Again, I can’t say enough how great the Cleveland Clinic’s Heart and Vascular Institute is. Including and not limited to, my surgeon, Dr. Eric Roselli, Chief of Adult Cardiac Surgery, Director of the Aorta Center and Staff Surgeon, my cardiologist Dr. Deborah Kown, and can’t forget the incredible staff at the Cleveland Clinic! Everyone was great during pre-surgery, surgery (what I can recall:) ), recovery, and follow up visits.
Good luck to all of you and hope you have a speedy and healthy recovery back to a normal life (whatever normal is)!
Please feel free to ask me any questions
…Bill
Hi all! I'm new to this community and delinquent joining since I had my surgery in Nov 2017. Long story short (maybe); I found out late July 2017 (just prior ...Read more
Hi all! I'm new to this community and delinquent joining since I had my surgery in Nov 2017. Long story short (maybe); I found out late July 2017 (just prior to my 61st birthday in August), that I had a genetic bicuspid Aortic Valve and an enlarged Ascending Aorta (5.5cm). This Wednesday Jan 31st will be 12 weeks since my Aortic Valve replacement, Aortic Artery graft, and a left Atrial Appendage AtriClip. I'm feeling great, in my 4th week of cardio rehab and averaging 14k steps a day (even with being back to work). I had my procedure at the Cleveland Clinic and I can't say enough about how great the Cleveland Clinic is!! My surgeon Dr. Eric Roselli, his staff, ICU, Step-down, and everyone were just awesome! Anyhow thought I would join this community (at the urging of my wonderful wife) and answer any questions related to my pre-surgery, surgery, and recovery that might help others.
Elaine Phares Thank you for your post. It is so encouraging to me to read where you are after 12 weeks. Once I can ... Read more
Elaine Phares Thank you for your post. It is so encouraging to me to read where you are after 12 weeks. Once I can get going....I plan to give it everything I have. I feel like the quicker I can get back to a productive, active, life...the better my mind will be. Plus new granddaughter is scheduled to be delivered 10 weeks, 2 days after my surgery. Thanks again. Your wife was right---so helpful, so keep them coming and 14K steps? That's awesome!!!!