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Diagnosis: Mitral Regurgitation

Member Since: January 2, 2018

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Gina Fiorentino posted an update

8 years ago (May 3, 2018)

Tomorrow will be 8 weeks since my lower sternotomy mitral valve repair. Overall I am doing well, but my sternum is quite sore still and Ive got some deep muscle soreness, especially on the left side. I know that returning to normal tasks and lifting 15lbs here and there more... Read more.

👍 Mark Wilbur, Helen Daw and reacted to this

Helen Daw

I am 13 weeks post op and still feel stiff sometimes. I asked and was told it is normal. We just have to wait I guess.

Heath Knight

Totally normal. The pains you feel may even come from somewhere else, as I have learned from my massage therapist. You'll get over it soon enough. Good luck and heal well.

Willie Radl

I'm a month post op and still feel the sternum/muscle tenderness, I had a mini sternotomy so my right side rib muscles are the most tender near where the horizontal cut was made. At my cardiac rehab they have me doing a series of arm stretches that my rehab specialist... Read more.

Felix Cherny

Gina! My surgeon said that my full sternum opening will take 3 months to heal and no more than 8lb should be lifted during that time. I'm at the 7 weeks mark now, and just yesterday stopped taking the pain meds. But, the chest is still very tender and when... Read more.

Gina Fiorentino

Thanks for the reassurance and feedback. I'll definitely ease up on lifting/pulling in general since it is making me so sore, but will soon invest in some light hand weights, since I am not in rehab. Until then I will co tongue my daily, hour-long power walks up the SF... Read more.

Melissa A

I'm almost 12 weeks out from surgery and I have been having pain on my left side in the front and left back pain that sometimes feels cool or like something is super tight... I'm meeting with my surgeon next week because I also read that it should be healed... Read more.

Gina Fiorentino

I saw a friend today on the street who also happens to be cardiologist, and asked her my question as well She said the healing and soreness sensations often go on for 3-6 months, even though the bone has technically healed. This gave me a little reassurance!

Melissa A

Thanks for that update! That information makes me feel a lot better about the pain I'm having :)

Carolyn Newell

Thanks Gina! This helps. I too have soreness on my right side and thought it was from doing too much too soon. So I'm back to doing basically nothing to see if the soreness goes away. Glad to hear it can take 3-6 months to heal. I've been wondering if... Read more.

Gina Fiorentino posted a photo

8 years ago (April 26, 2018)

Seven weeks ago today, I was taking my first assisted walk with nurse Shannon at Sequoia Hospital. I'm happy to report I'm feeling very well these days, and have graduated to taking long, daily walks through the hills of SF. Sending prayers and well wishe

👍 Mark Caswell, Barbara Wood and reacted to this

Helen Daw

Hard to believe how far we have come. Glad you are doing well!!

Marie Myers

What a difference 7 weeks can make...Congrats on your graduation from the School of Open Heart Surgery!

Michael Eichhorn

That is great Gina! Congratulations!

Anna Jones

I'm so happy for you Gina. Wonderful news that you are doing so well.

Beth Mchugh

Great news, Gina. So happy that you're doing well.

Civita Fahey

Glad to year you are doing well Gina

Lilly Black

Gina, so great to hear! Great pic ✌️

Susan Lynn

Amazing! Great progress, Gina!

Wanda Blackwood

Congratulations Gina!!! Thankful all is going well for you 😁

Carolyn Newell

So great Gina!! Happy for you. XO

Liz Gephart

Inspiring! Great pic too!

Gina Fiorentino posted an update

8 years ago (April 26, 2018)

Hi Heart family, Carolyn Newell's daughter Courtney texted me today to share the update that Carolyn is recovering well from her mitral valve repair surgery yesterday. She doesn't have her laptop, but asked me to post on her behalf... and she also requested I share that she has already transitioned... Read more.

👍 Barbara Wood, Rose Madura and reacted to this