Craig Howland - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

5 days ago

I am 53M Fire Captain and am getting Aortic Valve Replacement next week with a Bio-valve along with ascending aortic aneurysm. Wondering how long typical hospital ...Read more

I am 53M Fire Captain and am getting Aortic Valve Replacement next week with a Bio-valve along with ascending aortic aneurysm. Wondering how long typical hospital stay is? Also whats typical recovery time before i could at least do modified work(not riding out on trucks, just more of a gopher) I know everyone is different but just wanna get idea. Any help is appreciated

Mark Robinson Likely 4 - 7 days depending on many factors. Aside from any uncontrollable complications, the better ... Read more

Mark Robinson Likely 4 - 7 days depending on many factors. Aside from any uncontrollable complications, the better general health you are going in can also contribute to this. You'll likely get a good notion after 2 days if it'll be shorter or longer for you.

Craig Howland Thanks Mark… Appreciate the input!

Grace Mason I took a full 12 weeks, but went back to my desk jockey job at 10 weeks a half day for the first week ... Read more

Grace Mason I took a full 12 weeks, but went back to my desk jockey job at 10 weeks a half day for the first week back. I probably could have gone earlier but just wanted to make sure I didn't do too much too soon and not have the stamina.

As you said, everyone is different. Give yourself as much time as you can. You can always modify and go back earlier if you are feeling up to it. For my replacement /repair it was 5 days in hospital and a re- admit about 4 weeks later with a pleural effusion that needed draining

Robert Miller The first surgery took a bit longer because my heart wouldn't beat without a pacemaker. I think I sta ... Read more

Robert Miller The first surgery took a bit longer because my heart wouldn't beat without a pacemaker. I think I stayed some 4 or 5 days. Second surgery was maybe 3-4 days. I don't know much about Fire Captains. If it's "just" about managing operations, you probably could be back as soon as 6 weeks. The main issue is if the car/truck needs to make an emergency stop which will put a lot of pressure on your chest from the seatbelt. If you might have to climb ladders, possible falls, etc than you really need to wait 12+ weeks. You should discuss this with your surgeon before your surgery. Don't take my word for it. I wish you all the best!!

Rita Savelis Nothing is typical. You are a singular person and you will recover in your own time. Sometimes it's b ... Read more

Rita Savelis Nothing is typical. You are a singular person and you will recover in your own time. Sometimes it's better not to know so that you don't feel you are outside the norm. Your heart is not like a broken leg that you can see on the outside but it is recovering. If you can work a shorter day for a few weeks that can be helpful. Sometimes one feels great but then gets exhausted after doing too much. I had no pain at all after triple valve surgery but remember having much discomfort, sleeping poorly and feeling exhausted. Take care Craig and thanks for your service as a fire captain.

Richard Munson Rita is correct. That is a question that is unanswerable because every surgery and person is differen ... Read more

Richard Munson Rita is correct. That is a question that is unanswerable because every surgery and person is different. I think back prior to my cataract surgery and all my friends touting their ability to read the bible off the head of a pin. 2 years and 2 additional procedures and doctors later i can finally report things are good. But in between, not so much. The first guy probably remembers my choice of words when he said it did not come out as planned.

Craig Howland Thanks Robert, Grace, Rita and Richard.. appreciate your replies. And yes I know everyone is differen ... Read more

Craig Howland Thanks Robert, Grace, Rita and Richard.. appreciate your replies. And yes I know everyone is different but the reason I asked is I am a doer and dont like to sit around much. But am convincing myself mentally that i need to rest and cant over do it so trying to get an idea of realistic goals to set in my head

Richard Munson You will do fine craig. Being in good shape ahead of the surgery is important. Being a firefighter, i ... Read more

Richard Munson You will do fine craig. Being in good shape ahead of the surgery is important. Being a firefighter, i assume you are. Unless you only sit at the end of the hook and ladder truck and steer like cramer on seinfeld. Lol.