Ellie's Posts

Hi Ellie, I am 81/2 weeks post mitral valve replacement and tricuspid repair, 7 nights I CU, 4 weeks in hospital. I think I'm doing better now but I'm not pain-free and still have afib and lung issues. We are all different and 5 weeks is a very short time for recovery. You will get there in the time your body needs to heal. Take care

Hi Ellie. I'm 6-1/2 weeks. 1 night in ICU and home at day 6. I don't understand why they said 4 to 6 weeks. Other than that's when you can start doing things. I talked to my brother who had this done six years ago and he said it's several months before you really feel good. So I'm adjusting my expectations. I'm healing as expected. But I still can't sleep in my own bed. Hang in there. Like they say, it's different for everybody. I just take every day as a win that I feel a little bit better.

Every body and every heart is different. Don't compare yourself to anyone else. I'm sorry that people are pressuring you to be instantly fine. Why would anyone do that? Sadly many people consider that once surgery is over you should be "normal" again. You may never be that old "normal" again, whatever normal might mean. You will heal at your own pace. 5 weeks is still very early. You can't see your heart like you could see a broken leg but it needs to slowly heal from surgery as does the rest of your system. Discomfort and exhaustion can come and go and last for awhile. Take care Ellie.

Good morning. I am 5 weeks out of my open heart mitral valve repair. My doctor said the repair went well😁 I had to stay in ICU for 4 days because I developed AFib and than 3 days in a regular room. I still feel a little tired and I have some discomfort in my sternum. The right side of my chest is numb. Is this normal in recovery? Any advice?