Kathie's Posts

What I needed when I came home:: I slept sitting up in a recliner for awhile..some people say they can sleep ok with a bed wedge. Those you can buy at Bed Bath Beyond. Cook some meals ahead..there can be lots of Dr appointments..and this reduces stress on you..you'll be driving for a few weeks. Both of you will need rest..and some good humor!!

The bed wedge pillow was very helpful to me after having Aortic Valve replacement 2.5 weeks ago. Also, fluids that are healthy to keep him hydrated will be good to have on hand. Have this website handy so when you get frustrated you can get the support you need. It will be behind you before you know it and recovery will be at hand. Hugs

Hi Kathie, that is a very hard question to answer because it is different for everyone. I had the same surgery 6 weeks ago and It all Depends on your husbands age and physical condition as well as his reaction to the OHS. I would suggest though that if healthy he will probably find the actual sutgery and pain a fraction as bad as his fear of the operation. Needless to say he will need you there for moral support but on the other hand he will orobably also need you to remind him of the limitations on him after the surgery. Once at home he will need you to drive him for 4-6 weeks and do meal prep for him for at least a week. You can read my story if you want but it may be a relief to know that I was sitting on a beach with my wife enjoying a picnic on day 7. He may need a shower seat for a week or two and he will appreciate assistance as it is best he not reach behind his back and can not put the shower spray directly on the incision. I was fortunate in that where I live the surgeon gives you a book that explains what is required both pre and post surgery and other useful information. Other than not being able to lift heavy objects I am the same and better than I was before my valve replacement. All the best to you and your husband 👍PS. I was also able to sleep on my side in the hospital and the would prop a pillow behind my back, when I got home I was able to sleep in my bed from the first day and sleep on both my back and sides, no wedge pillow needed. What did bother me was sitting in my recliner to long, it hit a nerve in my back and often I would have to sit in a chair with no back, but again bed was fine. Again it is different for different people.

I needed some help with showering for the first week as he will be weak and needs as much rest as possible. But, its important to keep moving so make sure he gets up every couple of hours to even walk around the house or more if he can. The bed wedge was also really helpful as I'm not a back sleeper and it helped with trying to be kind of on my side.