Did my hair real short too. I'd run the clippers over the beard, but forgo a razor on account of not wanting to nick. We're all pulling for you -- DVB

Hey Chris - raising a pint your way - anything else i can do, let me know - you get a pedicure and manicure with that buzz?

behan

You are set!! That chair will be your best friend. Thinking of you and sending good thoughts and prayers your way. Janis Kielbasa

That power recliner will be your bed and everything for two-three weeks,,,,then the day YOU DECIDE to lie down in a bed...OH WHAT A FEELING!!!!!
JOHN MADONNA

Buzz cut, recliner, you are all set!!!! Did you do the whole body buzz cut??? Nah, they will do that for you in the hospital. Good luck, we are all thinking about you!

-Mitch Friedman

Chris
If you shave the facial hair it makes it easier.....hopefullly you wont..but if you are in ICU more than 4 days the nusrse will was your hair and give your face a shave....and you will fell like a new man most memorable!!!!
Pray Hope and Dont Worry..
JOHN MADONNA LAS VEGAS NV

ok a few typos. that's good luck Chris......sorry..

wait wait i dind't do a Chris Barnes poem; maybe after wards. good luck Cruse. keep the beard it's cute!!!!

nancy Friedman st louis

Howdy Chris,

Blessings to you on your upcoming experience. You'll be totally amazed in a couple of weeks when you look back.

And, I told my nurses and Docs that they could shave anything else off. But, the beard stayed. They honored that fully. Yes, it is a religious thing. But, what really sold it was when I told them the last time I shaved it off, my little daughter (4) was scared of me for a couple of hours. I wasn't going through that again with my grand kids. :D

Take care and do think about what it will be like in a few weeks! "Positive thinking" I suppose. The Doctors are amazing, but your own power of mind and spirit are most important.

Blessings on you and your family!

Chris, I bet you look good with the new hairdo.Sounds to me like you are thinking of everything. Love and Prayers,Mom & Dad

Chris, you're in my thoughts and prayers. The three of us are lined up:
Linda Tuesday
You Wednesday
Me Thursday

We'll do great and can't wait to catch up post-surgically.
God Bless
Stephanie Cole

Talked to Mom last night and she thought it was the other Chris, too. We're both straight now, and she's going to keep me posted on how you're doing, so it should be interesting to compare.
Yes, it's Liz Opiela.

Did you ask your cardiologist if he likes his mom?!?

Just kidding! It's that warped & twisted sense of humor coming through again.

It's very reassuring to be able to be comfortable with your surgeon.

Chuck Holmgreen.

This is how far out of it I am - all the time I thought it was the other Chris! Not sure if my prayers bounced off him and went to you - will re-direct now.
Getting ready to order tea from Upton. Are you still allowed tea?

Take patience & humor. They served me well. Janis Kielbasa

If you take some movies, try to take some that might relax you. I don't think you'd want to see some horror movies while in the hospital.

Frank Pena

Ear plugs too! -Mitch Friedman

Getting close Chris, you sound like you are ready. I found the most important things were robe, toiletries and chap stick. Good luck!

- Mitch Friedman

Chris, being in the single digit count down mode is a good feeling. Hooray! You and I go on consecutive days - mine is Tues. at Sinai Hospital in NY. Won't be long now before we get mended hearts. Grace and Peace
- Jim Smith

Pps. Didn't gain that much weight. And it goes away pretty fast. Not a big deal.

Can u tell I'm not a worrier? Nanc

Ps. I had no back or next pain after. It differs with all.

Just FYI. Nanc

Chris. You won't need a lot. Robe. Mainly They give you every thing else. Toothbruth etc. Bottom line. You won't care. Ha ha Comfy stuff to go home in

iPad but be prepared for your fingers not to work. Them are heavy duty drugs !! And it takes a while for the stuff to leave your body. Like weeks

Of the 100 things I took. I used the robe.

Think of it as an adventure. Be surprised

Coming home. If you dont have a recliner consider renting one. A power / electric one. But not the lift one. Just power. You will love it. If $$ not an object. Yeah. Buy one lazy boy. Runs about 700. or so

Coming home not sure for a guy. But assume its close After one week it should be much better.

I'm week 4 and hard to recall the bad stuff

I do have a slightly/ gently used toilet riser that was suggested. Interested ? Haha. You might need a stool for shower. That was helpful for sure. Walgreens. No big deal. Used it for about 1 week or so

Best of luck. And we ll be watching out for you. Best

Nancy Friedman. St Louis. 2-9-12. Avr. Done.

Good luck with your surgery next week Chris. I was comfortable in the hospital gown during my stay. A light bath robe was what I covered up with when walking down the halls. Slippers to walk in or the foot socks that they give you are great. I didn't have to worry about combing my hair because I don't have any!! lol A pair of loose sweats to go home in and boy does that feel great. HVJ friends are praying for you and family. Take care

Robert Hartner

Hi Chris, COMFORT is the word. I am taking a couple of pairs of jeans, etc to wear in Cleveland the 5 nights I will be there before surgery. I am taking some pajama bottoms to wear under the hospital gown for the walks down the hall, don't want behind flapping in the breeze, lol. Also, I bought a "travel pillow" (you can get them at JC Penney) for after surgery. It is a round, donut shaped pillow that fits around your neck to support your head. Others say that the neck and shoulder pain/soreness is worse than the surgery pain. It is about 12.99 at Penney's. As for the trip home, people say it is not unusual to gain up to 20 to 30 lbs during surgery ( I know...that's radical) from the fluids they use while on heart lung. I am taking a couple of different sizes of sweats like pants and zip up tops to wear on the plane ride back to SC. Just something comfy, won't care what I look like then, lol. Hope this helps a little, get the pillow...that is the biggest complaint about pain, neck and shoulders.

Linda Dixon

Hi Chris, I am the very next day! I will carry you into my prayers for a speedy recovery. We can share post-op excitement. I know once it's done my new life begins. Watch out world, I may just do some crazy things! Your fellow valver Stephanie Cole

It is very hard and scary leading up to surgery. I was very thankful that my surgery was right after Christmas and all of the activities in December kept me focused on good things,,,,decorating, cards, wrapping and shopping, kids coming for the holidays...it was a busy time but I think it was very distracting for me, I found out the Monday before Thanksgiving....did not tell 2 of my 3 kids till after their college finals 12.20.11 I just didn't want them upset and failing their tests!! Our son who is out of college I told right away...I promise you...once you get to pre-op and start going down the hall to surgery...the next thing you know it will be over....and then the healing begins. Try to look at things as....Thank God we can be fixed and that sure helps!! Drop me a note anytime and I will encourage you if you are anxious or answer questions now that I am on the other side!! Jamie Todor

Hi Chris....I ordered the Shield and didn't use it as much as I thought I would. Did use it once I got home from the hospital for a couple of weeks. I was lucky, my clothes didn't bother my incision much. You may find it different....I still say, better to be prepared. Adam's book is awesome at that...I am still looking at it to compare at 9 weeks post surgery!! You will do great...think positive thoughts...it is a scary time while you wait I am soooo glad to be on the other side of surgery:):)...soon you will be too!
Jamie Todor

You are going to do great Chris. I am old has-been now (4 months post AVR w/ aneurysm repair) but it seems like it was just yesterday I was getting ready for surgery. Nervous, anxious times, filled with questions. Just know that everyone here is going through the same thing or has gone through it, so ask questions and you will find a ton of great advice and encouragement.

Stay positive and take this challenge head-on and with confidence.

JH Mattingly

Oops! Forgot to leave my name. That was me Jeff Shebovsky

I ordered the shield and will let you know after tomorrow :)

Chris, Cindy Kenward used the incision shield and said it was great! You might want to contact her.

Linda Dixon

my hvj is good too !!!!! boo hoo and I even have jeff's and mitch's pix on there. !! so there. nancy friedman

Chris. Im right behind Mitch 4 weeks post.

I had wanted to buy the shied; and didn't GLad I didn't not necessary for me. there are no nerves in that area. so very little pain. at least for me. right down the boob line. ! not a horrible waste of $$ but I didn't need it. good luck to you. my recovery has been super. and I wish you the same.

Nancy Friedman, St Louis MO (2`9`2012)

Hi Chris, welcome to HVJ. I am 47, will be 5 weeks post op on Thursday and had AVR and aortic root repaired with a Dacron graft to fix the aneurism I did not know I had until my first surgical consult. Fun, fun, fun!!!!

This site is truly amazing. We have all been in your shoes and know what it is like. Read some journals, definitely look at Jeff Shebovsky and Chris
Dixon, who bob decided to do the Ross Procedure in NYC. Chris went last Monday and Jeff goes on Weds. Also, check out my journal, folks have said they fond it helpful.

Lean into this site, hard and often. The more you put out there the more you get in return. Good luck. And one more, thing, you CAN do this!!!!!!

All the best,
-Mitch Friedman

Hi Chris, welcome to the HVJ site. You are in great company. We "valvers", as we like to call ourselves are here to share it all! I will be having my aortic vavle replaced and also possible aneurysm repair on March 13th at the Cleveland Clinic. It has been a long time coming, but suddenly we have gone into "speed mode". Little bit anxious, but glad to get it over with.

I haven't been there yet, so I can't speak to what the surgery/recovery is like, but everyone who has been says the waiting is the hardest part. I'll let you know about that after next week, lol.

I know you will find great support and encouragement here, sometimes I think it is what has kept me sane the last few months. Just don't get addicted...that is a serious possibility, lol.

Take care and welcome!
Linda Dixon

Hi Chris, lots of good info and different points of view on here. I think you'll find lots of help and tips. You'll be pleased to read of the recoveries and how quickly many of us are healing. Mitch Friedman, John Lund, Linda Dixon always post some inspiration, just to name a few. I had sternotomy for valve repair, home alone at 2 weeks, driving at 4 weeks and walking 2 miles ever since. I am 54. I am 9 weeks post op and doing very well. Sending good thoughts and prayers your way. I look forward to your updates and recovery. All the best, janis kielbasa

Chris,

Welcome to HVJ. I too was told I'd need a valve job when I was young. I'm also 44 and am going in on March 20th. However, I'm going mechanical.

We have Jeff Shebovsky undergoing surgery right now having the Ross procedure done. We also have Chris Dixon who recently had the Ross procedure done. Check out their journals for more information.

If you have questions, ask them. This is an incredible site for real information from people like you an me, coming up to surgery, and those like Mitch, Nancy, Chris, and a bunch of others that have already been through the surgery. Soon to be Jeff & Jan as well who are having their surgeries today.

God speed in your recovery.

Chuck Holmgreen