Hi guys, last June my boyfriend Marc underwent heart valve surgery
(he had the ross procedure.) He is 25 years old and before surgery he was very fit. He would ...Read more
Hi guys, last June my boyfriend Marc underwent heart valve surgery
(he had the ross procedure.) He is 25 years old and before surgery he was very fit. He would run 3 miles or more without problem at a face pace, play basketball daily, lift weight, and was an avid cycler. It has been about 5 months since surgery and he still is no where near his physical ability before surgery. He goes to the gym to ride the bike and run about a mile but he has shortness of breath and basically this low level of physical activity takes a lot of out him. He is becoming very frustrated with his progress because outdoor and physical activities really kept him happy entertained. I was wondering if there is anyone out there who also had the Ross procedure who is in Marc's age realm (mid twenties to early thirties.) No one can really give us answers if he physically is where he should be 5 months post surgery. What types of activities could you guys do 5 months after surgery? Could you run a mile at a moderate pace without stopping? Did you have shortness of breath while running? Basically how where you physically 5 months after surgery? And how long did it take you to get back to high physical activity? If anyone has any info it would be greatly appreciated! Thank you! Hope to hear from you guys soon!
D. Carol Moore Kathleen: When I underwent heart valve surgery in 1976 (mitral) 29 yrs old at the time and DVR (mitr ... Read more
D. Carol Moore Kathleen: When I underwent heart valve surgery in 1976 (mitral) 29 yrs old at the time and DVR (mitral and Aortic) in 1994 (47 yrs old), it took me a year to get back to my normal routine. Please know that the body has gone through a traumatized experience and it takes time to heal. Walking is a very good exercise to do. Start slowly and build himself up to more miles. Our bodies are so different in all aspects so tell him to be patient with his recovery progress. He can still enjoy outdoor physical activities just slow the pace down. Walk and admire nature... it's fall and the leaves are so beautiful now.
For me, after OHS at the age of 29 in 1976, it was about a change in my attitude. I hope this helps him. Others in the community may want to add to this. I'm 67 years young and still enjoy life to the fullest and yes, I do have limitations!
Daniel Spurgeon Kathleen, I am riding a recumbent gym bike as I type this, and I am also not up to my pre-op cardio ... Read more
Daniel Spurgeon Kathleen, I am riding a recumbent gym bike as I type this, and I am also not up to my pre-op cardio yet. I had OHS in late August 2014. I don't know of any one single reason that recovery of cardio stamina is gradual, but when you consider the overall nature of the surgery it is understandable that the body needs time to adjust. Your boyfriend is not alone.
Hi Kathleen. Welcome to the site and I hope you can find what you're looking for in regards to recov ... Read more
Hi Kathleen. Welcome to the site and I hope you can find what you're looking for in regards to recovery. There are several educational videos Adam has posted that can shed light on the subject but remember no two people are alike and each one heals at different rates. Healing is not linear in that it doesn't progress in an orderly fashion. A few questions for you:
1) Does your boyfriend know that you are a member of heartvalvesurgery.com?
2) Is there any reason he can't speak for himself?
Looking forward to hearing his "story" on the site. Bob O.
Nancy D My surgeon said it is often the younger healthier active patients that take longer, as their previous ... Read more
Nancy D My surgeon said it is often the younger healthier active patients that take longer, as their previous level of activity is so much higher than other older, and more compromised patients. We just have further to go. Not saying there isn't older more active patients also finding it harder to get back to their level, but patients of any age who are also troubled with other big diagnosis tend to not have as far to go to achieve their pre-op status. I am told it happens eventually, hope he gets there soon and isn't too impatient with himself!
For me, after OHS at the age of 29 in 1976, it was about a change in my attitude. I hope this helps him. Others in the community may want to add to this. I'm 67 years young and still enjoy life to the fullest and yes, I do have limitations!
1) Does your boyfriend know that you are a member of heartvalvesurgery.com?
2) Is there any reason he can't speak for himself?
Looking forward to hearing his "story" on the site. Bob O.