My husband is now home after 7 days in the hospital post op open heart mitral valve repair. He is doing good so far. He says his pain on a scale of 1 to 10 ...Read more
My husband is now home after 7 days in the hospital post op open heart mitral valve repair. He is doing good so far. He says his pain on a scale of 1 to 10 is a zero to 1. He is sleeping in a recliner. I’m wondering how long was it before anyone was sleeping lying down in bed again? Or on their side? I’m nervous that if he sleeps in bed that he will automatically end up sleeping on his side and hurt his sternum. Today he had his first sneeze since the surgery, and didn’t grab his hugging pillow quick enough..ouch!!
Geoff Curtis It took me about 5 weeks to sleep in a bed.
Rose Madura I slept in bed with a wedge for less than a week. I then made a pillow fort in bed and would sleep fo ... Read more
Rose Madura I slept in bed with a wedge for less than a week. I then made a pillow fort in bed and would sleep for a couple hours, then would head to the recliner for the rest of the night. It was several weeks like that.
Pamela Gregory I slept in the chair for about a year (haha but not kidding) I am a side sleeper and it kept me comfo ... Read more
Pamela Gregory I slept in the chair for about a year (haha but not kidding) I am a side sleeper and it kept me comfortably on my back.
Richard Munson Jal, you just never had the use of my double belt hoist.
Melinda Donahue Slept on a 45 degree incline with pillows for 8 weeks, then just pillows and on my back. Finally kin ... Read more
Melinda Donahue Slept on a 45 degree incline with pillows for 8 weeks, then just pillows and on my back. Finally kind of my side - propped up with a pillow supporting my side! Its a process.
J Alexander Lassally No Richard - you should have patented it and sold it... Infomercial from the south shore!
Michael Chaisty I slept on my back in bed right out of surgery. Took about 3 weeks to sleep on my side comfortably. G ... Read more
Michael Chaisty I slept on my back in bed right out of surgery. Took about 3 weeks to sleep on my side comfortably. Good luck, feel good.
katie shaw Thank everyone! It’s been such a help hearing of others experience. My husband started sleeping in ... Read more
katie shaw Thank everyone! It’s been such a help hearing of others experience. My husband started sleeping in bed, with pillows to elevate him, after about 2 and a half weeks. Today we are at 39 days and he has started sleeping on his side again. This happens about a week ago, he just ended up sliding Down almost flat and waking up in the morning sleeping on his side.he said it was only mildly uncomfortable, but not painful. It’s so nice to be getting back to normal. During the first 2 weeks honestly, It felt like it would be such a long road and it was difficult to see the light at the end of the recovery tunnel. I’m so thankful that we are on the other side of this now. Still a ways to go to “normal”, but so much closer than he was. Few weeks ago.
My husband (on the right) is having mitral valve surgery next week. Our primary care Dr. heard something that did not sound right to her at his regular yearly ...Read more
My husband (on the right) is having mitral valve surgery next week. Our primary care Dr. heard something that did not sound right to her at his regular yearly physical in November of 2024. He had ultrasounds every 6 months to watch it, and it was not a problem that needed to be addressed right away. At his last ultrasound in September of 2025, it had progressed to severe, and now needs to be taken care off as soon as possible. He had not had any symptoms, up until the past two weeks where he has been feeling a little more tired than normal. He is very active and healthy. We have been told that recovery pain can be much worse for men who are relatively young and active because of the muscle. Has anyone experienced this?
Susan Lynn I had mitral valve and chord repairs at age 57. I had no problems after surgery. Honestly, waitin ... Read more
Susan Lynn I had mitral valve and chord repairs at age 57. I had no problems after surgery. Honestly, waiting to have the procedure was the most stressful part Everyone's experience is different, but your husband should be fine. Wishing you both all the best!
Rose Madura Your husband is active and healthy. That will help in his recovery. Please keep us posted.
katie shaw Thank you. I will, and I'm sure I will have questions at some point.
Melinda Donahue I was also asymptomatic being checked every 6 months. When at cardiologist in May was sent to surgeon ... Read more
Melinda Donahue I was also asymptomatic being checked every 6 months. When at cardiologist in May was sent to surgeon because it was becoming worse. Saw the surgeon in July and was operated on in September and am 9 weeks post-op. My surgery for mitral and tricuspid repair was successful and am 75% healed. Sternotomy is still a bit painful and get winded waking up stairs. I am 65 and am back to walking 20,000 steps a day and riding the stationary bike. You take one day at a time and every day you see some progress. Wishing you all the best.
J Alexander Lassally Hi ! Depends on what surgery type he is having how that might play out. I had a sternotomy, but if you have a thoracotomy, acute pain for a period of time may happen - not sure if age matters.
Certain things do seem to track with younger patients. Pericarditis - for instance - does happen more in younger patients, or at least as frequently.
Other things seem better, so it really depends... Most hospital teams do a great job managing pain - but here is pro tip ... Read more
J Alexander Lassally Hi ! Depends on what surgery type he is having how that might play out. I had a sternotomy, but if you have a thoracotomy, acute pain for a period of time may happen - not sure if age matters.
Certain things do seem to track with younger patients. Pericarditis - for instance - does happen more in younger patients, or at least as frequently.
Other things seem better, so it really depends... Most hospital teams do a great job managing pain - but here is pro tip
Do stay ahead of the pain on day 0 to 1 - and be really communicative with nurses so they can dose appropriately. Regardless - it is a super stressful time, and I wish your family well...
Hi everyone, my husband (66 yrs) is scheduled to have open heart mitral valve repair/replacement surgery one week from Thursday. I found this group when I was ...Read more
Hi everyone, my husband (66 yrs) is scheduled to have open heart mitral valve repair/replacement surgery one week from Thursday. I found this group when I was looking for more information on what to expect after he has the surgery and recovery and such. It has been such a help, reading the stories of everyone who has just gone through the same surgery. I know everyone is different, but it is still helpful. Thank you. I’m sure we will have questions over the next several weeks/months.
Shaun Bloodworth Your husband will be fine, make sure he goes into the proceedure with a positive attitude and he will ... Read more
Shaun Bloodworth Your husband will be fine, make sure he goes into the proceedure with a positive attitude and he will get the best outcome. I am 14 weeks post op today and I feel great. The best thing I have done. I have my life back.
Melinda Donahue I agree with Shaun. I am 9 weeks post op and getting better every day !! Every day after surgery yo ... Read more
Melinda Donahue I agree with Shaun. I am 9 weeks post op and getting better every day !! Every day after surgery you will see an improvement.
katie shaw Thank you everyone! Today is day 39 since my husband had his open heart mitral valve repair. The firs ... Read more
katie shaw Thank you everyone! Today is day 39 since my husband had his open heart mitral valve repair. The first 2 weeks post surgery were tough, but now he is doing amazing and most people who have seen him cannot even believe he had open heart surgery just over one month ago.He started back at work this week (desk duty, still no lifting over 10 pounds) he’s wearing a 30 day monitor since Saturday to watch for AFIB. He had AFIB after the surgery, but his HR returned to sinus with IV amiodarone. Hoping to come off of that next in a few months if all goes right. Most days I notice that his heart surgery recovery is not consuming my thoughts all day like it did for the first few weeks, because he is doing so great. He’s been able to come off of several of the meds they put him on in the hospital, yay! He also started cardiac rehab yesterday. His energy and stamina has not returned to normal yet, but from what his doctor tells me, that can sometimes take several months. Anyone have any experience with the energy thing, and how long it was until you felt close to your normal self again, energy wise? I know everyone is different. Reading everyone’s stories has been so helpful to us during this journey. Thank you!
Shaun Bloodworth Great to hear your hubby is doing well. AF is not uncommon after OHS, I had a little one a few day... Read more
Shaun Bloodworth Great to hear your hubby is doing well. AF is not uncommon after OHS, I had a little one a few days after and I have had nothing since. I am now 5 months post Op and do I feel like my stamina has returned..... yes and no because I have always been exceptionally active and fit. I am definitely 100% much better so things will only improve with time. I am training at the Gym a little harder each week including bench press etc.
Melinda Donahue I am not 💯 yet but am improving a little each day. Am starting cardiac rehab next week. Sought out ... Read more
Melinda Donahue I am not 💯 yet but am improving a little each day. Am starting cardiac rehab next week. Sought out a new cardiologist and she believes this will help as I am a bit winded when I walk up stairs. I also am nervous about how to exercise and what is too little and too much. My chest still hurts around the incision too. I also was out on a holster monitor due to ventricular tachycardia which was thought to be afib but is not.
He will see a little bit of improvement each day. Good luck and best wishes on this journey.
I am from: New Hampshire
Thanks, I figured it will be awhile.
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