Linda's Journal

Chris Vereb  Not exactly. I just had the aortic valve replaced. The surgeon said my valve area was small and he was going to use a 23mm valve. When he got me open he was able to put in a larger 25mm valve. Basically if they can put a larger one in with out say forcing it, it's a good thing. The bigger the valve the more and easier the blood can flow...☺

Debbie Bentley   Linda Did he patch the root because it's too small ? I had my Aortic valve replaced with mechanical valve and my root was too small so he made it bigger for the valve to fit in .

Lilly Black  My surgeon, who was also awesome, did a similar procedure. My entire ascending aorta was replaced with Dacron. However my surgeon thought that the section that connected to the valve was too tight. So when he removed my natural valve, he then cut into the Dacron to make it wider. He patched it to keep it wide and then placed the 23MM Bovine Valve into the Dacron. This gave me a bigger/wider valve. He specifically did this so that when the Bovine valve is worn out, I can receive the TAVR procedure. He believes my new Bovine valve will last approx. 18 yrs. After 18 yrs, I can receive a new valve with the TAVR procedure. In the meantime, the 23MM valve is providing me with great blood flow.....amazing! I have never had a good valve, so it's incredible how great I have been feeling. Hope this is helpful.

Linda Yaff  Yes I am home. Long week of ups and downs. Now just wondering when this water leaves - I look pregnant again!!!
My sternum feels good. I have some rib pain maybe because of the cardio version mid week last week. I've been sleeping in a recliner - great idea from
evwryone here thanks.

Emily Rowley  Are you taking any tablets for the fluid to reduce? My Cardiologist advised me to limit my daily fluid intake.

Wanda Mroz  It took me well into 3 weeks to loose almost 17 lbs of fluid retention due to the fluids they pump into you. I was on lasik for about 5 days in the hospital .

Barbara Laurie  Linda, imagine, I lost over 45 pounds of fluid!! Took a long time because I had kidney failure. But, some simple things I learned. Don't drink a great deal, limit your salt also, but don't go overboard, just limit. Also keep moving..moving encourages that fluid in your tissues to depart. And, keep an eye out for any extreme weight gain, you'd want to report that😄 Be patient, that last bit can be stubborn, but moving will help a lot. Best Regards❤️

Nap Garcia  I'm two weeks post op, mitral valve repair with full sternotomy. Before surgery, I diligently worked to try to lose about 10 lbs. in combination of diet and exercise, ended up losing 8 lbs. prior to surgery. During and right after surgery, I gained only about 4-6 lbs. and was taking lasix to shed the water weight while in the hospital. They sent me home with more lasix prescription which I'm almost done taking to continue shedding fluid for 10 more days. But I think despite taking these meds you should keep yourself properly hyrdrated, just go to the bathroom a lot. So I've gone back down to my pre-surgery weight of 192 lbs, plus lost another 6 lbs, so at 186 lbs I haven't weighed this light in ages. Given this, I think my goal of 180 or even 175 lbs is within reach once I start cardiac rehab and eating a healthy diet again. Plus I'm off of prescription pain meds now, ever since I got off them, I feel even better, my chest doesn't feel like it's been even split open, I just feel a little tightness as I guess the skin and bone are starting to meld back together, but no pain, and barely any if I cough. The healthy lub-dub of my heartbeat is music to my ears, no more of the wishy-washy leaky heartbeat. I could not be more pleased. I plan to go back to work in two weeks, which is about a month after surgery, given I get the clearance from the doc.

Petey Bello  Linda, I had to continue to take Lasik for a couple weeks after surgery (maybe 3?, even though I lost all my fluid weight by the time I left the hospital)
Are you still taking them?

Linda Yaff  Thanks so much for your comments. For some reason I wasn't able to access my account for a while. I appreciate your comments. This website has helped me so much!

Amy Dorsey  I gained 20 lbs in ICU over two days. By the time I was discharged 5 days later I was down 22 lbs. I'm guessing everyone is different based on what I see on here.

Petey Bello  Use your spirometer!!! I had a dry cough for a while, I kept cough drops & a bottle of water next to my bed once I was home. It seemed to help when I really needed it!

Ron Broadhead  Like you and Petey, I had a small dry cough for a while after surgery. One day (can't remember when) it was gone.

Clare Auten  Glad you made it this far. Those sound like "normal" complications. Your body is healing, fatigue is to be expected. Listen to your body. Take it one step at a time.

Mia Smith  Your body is healing and your heart is trying to figure out how to beat again :) Keep it up-if they have you breathing through a spirometer please use it! I know it hurts but it saved my life in the hospital.

Kate Watson  Glad to hear you are doing ok. The first few weeks are really the hardest and then you'll start to stabilize. Hang in there!

Barbara Laurie  Linda, I think we are all grateful you're here and walking. Don't give up on your rehab of walking, it's hard, but worth it really worth it! Yay!💕❤️💕 As Adam says, keep on ticking🌺

Steven A Husted  yes well wishes and prayers for your recovery take it slow and easy one day at a time time is a healer

Ron Broadhead  Its hard at first but things will get better. As others have said, take it one day/step at a time. One day things will just seem better.

Emily Rowley  I know this is a scary time for you right now, soon you will be on your road to recovery. Sending my prayers to you xx

Tonia Earley  Thinking of you and praying for great results and a smooth recovery. Just remember take one day at a time.

Kate Watson  Hope everything went great today, Linda! I went to Dr Bavaria the first time around. I wonder if he still has his crazy eyebrows :)

Emily Rowley  It is true, I was told that and jewellery. I don't hardly wear it anyway. They will give you antispetic soap to wash in the day before surgery and on the day too. Also good idea to shave, unless you prefer them to do it for you as needs to be no hair except head of course ☺ Hope this helps.

Elaine Cutri  Bare nails can help the healthcare staff see if you have a circulation problem in addition to not harboring germs.

Clare Auten  I didn't remove mine ftomorrow my toes. No one said anything about it. I did leave my wedding ring and other jewelry at home.

Patti Talbot  I had a pedicure the day before - I had it cleared with my surgeons office. I think fingernail polish is a different story though.

Cheryl Ventimiglia  Omg! I just got a beautiful pedicure yesterday and my surgery is tomorrow. I just thought if the rest of me was going look awful at least my toes will sparkle.

Cathleen Weed  The nurses will check the pulses in your feet...they'll usually put an x on the different pulse areas so they can be found quickly...so a pedicure is fine. You'll have a finger pulse oximeter on your index finger almost all the time to check for your 02 saturation (blood oxygen) and your pulse (HR). Removing polish is good if you want them to be able to check your capillary refill time (by pressing on the fingernail and watching the blood flow back) and just to make sure there is no bluish hue. However, technology takes care of most of that now. I'm a nurse and we rely on the oximeter reading but will check manually if anything seems off. Nail polish (including clear) does hold germs. Something to be aware of. I took antibacterial wipes ( a big package of them ) when I had my surgeries. Easy to use and very convenient. <3

Tonia Earley  It is dependent on the hospital and nursing staff I believe. I think nail polish on your natural nails is fine, you just can't have acrylic nails. It is mainly to check your circulation, etc. I didn't have my nails painted...I am a nail biter, so I never have long nails to paint, but I did get a pedicure right before surgery and got so many compliments on my toes...LOL and as far as the shaving part...I shaved my legs, just because I don't like hairy legs, but I didn't have to shave anywhere else and they didn't shave me either :)

Margaret Mugga Sabens  I kept my index fingernails bare. Had a french manicure all other nails and pink toenails with smiley face on my big toenails. Was a hit with the nurses😀

Petey Bello  Linda, I went through the same thing with my husband/family. I would hear: 'oh they do these surgery's all the time, you will be fine' ...I kinda resented it at the time. But realized they really couldn't understand what I was feeling & maybe they were trying to comfort me or themselves by telling me that.

I found so much comfort in reaching out to our heart brothers & sisters on this site. I knew they could understand what I was going through. It was & still is a real Blessing Adam started this blog! It was my lifeline of comfort & support!

Once I was in the hospital, having surgery, being in ICU & then recovery...I think my husband & family finally realized what a big deal this surgery actually was. (& is).

Reach out on this site with any questions, concerns or feelings you might have as you continue on this journey. We are all here for you!

I will pray for God to give you the peace & strength you need as you approach your surgery date!

Happy Anniversary :)

Linda Yaff  Thank you so much Petey. You are exactly correct. That's what I keep hearing. And I'm like - ok - they are stopping my heart - operating on it and then restarting it. Wow! And yes I'm scared to death. I just don't know why the family doesn't get it!

Clare Auten  My husband still (2.5 years later) says he had to make it "no big deal" so he could handle it. He was scared to death that he would lose me and his way of dealing was to make it "no big deal". He is prone to anxiety anyway, so, I called his doctor in the week between diagnosis and surgery and got him a script for Xanax so he manage. I know how you feel though. I wanted to talk about it, share my feelings, etc and he couldn't handle that. Good luck. Keep us posted. We all know this is a big deal.

Linda Yaff  Thanks Clare... yes - that is exactly how I feel. and I really don't know how he does... so maybe he's the same as your husband and just not telling me

Amy Dorsey  Hi Linda. Yes! I know exactly how you're feeling. I've been getting a lot of cliché sayings from people who have never been through this. Most everybody seems to think that heart surgery is a breeze nowadays so they usually say something to the effect of, "Technology has come such a long way! These are such routine procedures now days!" Or, "you'll be back to better than ever before you know it." I support myself and have to think about planning a hiatus from work and missing income, and keeping up with my bills, and healing properly, and getting through the surgery and wondering how all that is going to go on top of never having stitches in my life and facing this type of major surgery! It doesn't seem like there's anything anyone can say to ease my fears and anxieties which I've been dealing with on my own for the past three months knowing this is coming. It's a good thing I have a belief system and Faith because that gets me through when no one has the right words to help me. So thankful for this site! Ever since I found it I feel like it has been such a comfort to me. It's filled with people who actually understand the emotional and physical aspects of all of this and can offer helpful advice and support. My family and friends are still wonderful in attempting to help me deal with all of this so I don't want to discount any of that. I'm so thankful they will be there for me as I recover. I just don't think a lot of them realize what this process preparing for and recovery entails yet. I'm trying to get everyone to read Adams book. I've passed the link onto everyone in my family however I don't know if they will actually read it. Not to make this the longest post ever, but I'm trying to grasp everything that happens duringOHS and trying not to freak out that there is a heart lung machine involved and stopping of the heart, and a sternum being sawed open...and there have been people around me who thought that my heart cath process was the actual heart surgery…:/ needless to say sometimes I feel like I'm in this alone so I'm really again so thankful for everyone here!

Kevin Shackelford  Hi Linda, going through the same process. My wife does not want to talk about it much. I think it is tough for her. The heart is our life force. Just the thought of stopping it so it can be cut into is traumatic. Anxiety is normal and expected. I would probably be out of my mind if it wasn't for Paxil. I am doing some guided imagery exercises and meditation to help my mind prepare and deal with the trauma. Hang in there...we are all in this one together. My surgery is June 20 so I am looking forward to hearing from you on the other side.

Louise Szabo  They care and they are worried. I had my surgery 10 days ago and my husband told me that when it was over he cried like a baby. No matter how you look at it open heart surgery is a major operation. How grateful I am that we live in this age and not 50 years ago.

Lise Bowles  Hi,
I just read all these posts and can so totally relate! My husband has been compassionate but the depth of his understanding is a bit shallow because he has never been in this position, and I frequently hear, "you'll be fine". Again in agreement to what most have said in this post, I think it's a way of dealing. I try to be understanding that he too is doing the best he can and he really is a loving husband but I don't think any of us could really know until we've been there! I certainly never could have till I heard the words out of my doctors mouth, and even then I was in shock for at least a couple of weeks.
Now that I am scheduled, as of yesterday, I am reaching a whole new level of acceptance myself, and I just never expected this in my life! Thank goodness for this site! We are all in this together!

Patti Talbot  I think you should consider going to whatever home brings you peace and comfort. Either is a fine distance from the hospital, which you WILL NOT NEED!

Joanne Casserly  Something tells me you are near me, we have the Jersey shore and my doctor is David L Johnson and I'm having a repair hopefully on the 1st, he's great...go to the beach and forget <3

Linda Yaff  Thanks everyone. - Yes Joann - it is the Jersey shore (Ventnor). My dr is Dr Bavaria out of Univ of Penn. Good luck this week! I'll be praying for you !

Joanne Casserly  I'm Jersey Shore in Neptune but think we are all connected. Thanks Linda cause I'm driving myself crazy, should get the time tomorrow. :hugs

Kate Watson  We sold our house near the beach before we realized I needed surgery so soon, and I will say that I've really missed it during my recovery process. My heart really desired to sit and look at the water there. At the same time, I felt more comfortable being closer to the hospital where I am living now, in the first post op weeks, which turned out best because I did need to be re-admitted. But I think an hour away is a reasonable distance, not that any complications will occur for you! PS I went to Dr Bavaria for my first surgery!

Chris Giunta  I chose to have a tissue valve because I was 58 at the time of my surgery. I simply felt that having a mechanical one at that age meant too many years on coumadin. When I need another replacement, (hoping to get to 73 with this one) I will probably go with the mechanical.

Franklin Wyrick  I too am having a tissue valve for much the same reason as Chris. I am very active and don't want to suffer bruises and the risk of bleeding from Coumadin.

  Same here...tissue. You can read my story about my reason for choosing. Lots of great people with perspective on all kinds of valves. Good luck with your decision!

Cathleen Weed  Tissue valve...started this whole thing at a young age (19) and even the surgeon didn't want me on Coumadin. Have chosen tissue valves and a Coumadin free lifestyle ever since. I'm way too active to be on a blood thinner. New replacement techniques that don't require OHS are being perfected now. I qualified for TAVR last time (August 2015) 😀❤. It's a tough decision. So many personal factors. Without knowing someone you can't really know why they chose a certain valve. One person's activity level isn't the same as another. I can tell you that I am extremely active, very fit, travel a lot, am a nurse, and an actress (16 hour days) (member of the screen actors guild). I dislike all medications. I live an extremely healthy lifestyle so that I can avoid all comorbidities. I'm all about nutrition and fitness. Restrictions of a blood thinner would be difficult for me to follow...not impossible, just undesirable for my lifestyle. xo <3
p.s. my 2nd and 3rd OHS would have happened even if I had mechanical valves...(infection and aneurysm) so I know I made a great choice not to have been on Coumadin all that time. Things happen, no one can predict the future. Do what feels right to you. My last one was TAVR (through the femoral) so no OHS required..yay!

Rita Savelis  I had 2 valves to replace (and a 3rd to repair) and inside scarring due to childhood cancer radiation treatment, so it was a better option for me to have mechanical valves as the 2 valves could wear out at separate times, causing even more surgery. Every decision is very personal. Both options have pluses and minuses. I am young (in the cardiac world) but already have grown children and had an early menopause so mechanical valves were fine. Women have more to consider than men.
Every case is specific. Coumadin has not been a problem for me although I am not a person who likes to take meds. I have no dietary restrictions and haven't changed my lifestyle.

Denise Campbell  I had a mechanical valve and am also on Coumadin. I'm 50. The Coumadin takes getting used to as goes the ticking but I don't want a future surgery. There are very very few failures with mechanical. My surgeon also agreed with my decision. I saw on this site just yesterday two people with tissue who are already needed another surgery. 6 years for one 8 for another. It is a personal choice, but for me , I don't want a guaranteed second ohs. Good luck

Denise Campbell  Also, Coumadin hasn't been too bad adjusting. And yes bleeding in the brain is horrifyingly scary. But as Rita said there is no perfect answer. Monitor your inr. Be smart with eating.

Enrique K  Linda, I got tissue valve not bovine it was a FreeStyle Medtronic Valve (Porcine) from a pig's heart. This is what the surgeon recommended and also it was my personal decision I am 41. I didn't want to have any dietary restrictions at all and continue eating my greens (Spinach and Kale Fanatic) and drinking my Moscow Mules. Read my journal you will find valuable information.

Cathleen Weed  This question always starts a firestorm lol. I updated my post (above) to give more details as to why I made my choice. :) God Bless <3.

Steven A Husted  there are so many pros and cons for each my first choice was mechanical because of the longevity but then i heard there are no guaranty that a mechanical valve will last any longer and i did not want to take coumadin the rest of my life and the chance of a bleed out and the ticking and the special diet so i chose a bovine valve and now i am glad i did because the ohs was not as bad as i thought it would be and if i need a second ohs it will not scare me as bad i could handle it and by that time i may have a TAVR instead of ohs i am very happy with my bovine valve i am 20 months out best wishes and prayers on your decision

Rita Savelis  I really do want to add that one does not have to change one's diet - one only has to adjust coumadin to what one eats. Most people eat essentially the same kinds of food, so their liver adjusts to processing what they eat plus the coumadin. I eat salads and kale, etc. If one drinks A LOT of alcohol, it's not a good idea to be on coumadin, but drinking moderately is fine. I certainly partake in happy hour, even if it's expensive here in France.

Cathleen Weed  Although I'm not on coumadin, as a nurse I can tell you that what Rita Savelis says is accurate...you don't have to give up dark greens etc completely...you just have to stay on a strict schedule (like you would with a med). So you have to decide ahead of time, and if you want a kale salad (for example) every day then you need to eat it every day as planned because it will be adjusted into your coumadin schedule. If I were to ever be on coumadin I would plan it out like that and stick to it. Steven is right too...pros and cons to everything <3. It seems like no matter what people choose, you just learn to live with it. The thought of another surgery doesn't bother me at all. The thought of coumadin doesn't bother other people at all. I think you just make the best of what you choose! Good luck with your decision! :) xo

Linda Yaff  Thank you all for your comments. I really appreciate them! I am continuing to do my research and will keep you posted! Thx again :)

Tonia Earley  I had my surgery at Cleveland Clinic and they provided one for me...you may want to ask...just in case

Jean Raber  My mom got one at hosp. Totally ticked her off. Said waste like that is what drives up the cost of surgeries. It was a whole thing with her. Offered focus for her negativity that wasn't aimed at me, so bless that pillow!

Denise Campbell  I found the pillow necessary and comforting. I used it at home to sleep with as well. And having the docs and nurses sign is awesome.

Mary K  Physical therapists consider them to be a brace. Perfect to hold the ribs when ypu are coughing or laughing.

Adam Pick  Hey Linda, You are in great hands with Dr. Bavaria. He's a great guy and a super surgeon. Fyi, here's a video I filmed with Dr. Bavaria - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73uZzEZYogE.

Linda Yaff  Thanks Adam - yes I saw this on YouTube a while ago - I mentioned it to him today :)
Thanks for this website - and your book. They have been so very helpful!

Cheryl Shute Walter  Best wishes for your upcoming surgery! As Wanda said, the fear is normal. I am now almost 6 months post AVR, and have a pig valve. The first couple of weeks were tough, as any surgery is. But the pain was not nearly as bad as I had expected. Keep in touch with other people here who have journals, and they can help you by sharing their experiences with you, as you can with them. So many people have gone through this. You are not alone!

Steven Monteiro  Linda if it will help I wrote a Kindle book: Surgery Open Heart ( A Surgical Nurse guides You through Open Heart Surgery) that I always offer for free if anyone on these forums asks for it. I've been a Cardiac Surgical Nurse in the O.R. for 30 years and I wrote this book to help patients understand the journey and what they will encounter from the time they enter the hospital to the time they head home. If interested let me know and I can send it to you for free from Amazon Kindle.

Clare Auten  I do not think there is a "standard" from watching this board for over 2 years. I recovered quickly compared to some and slowly compared to others. I did a total of 10 nights in the hospital but had 2 at home in the middle of that. I ended up being out of work 10 weeks but I am a special ed teacher and the surgeon wanted to make sure I was really ready. Age and physical fitness do seem to play into these things. I was 45 with 3 kids (ages 4,7 and 13). I didn't have the opportunity to wait for anything because of my aneurysm. But life went on and everything got done.

Peter Bergan  Linda -- I was almost completely asymptomatic before having surgery on January 4th. I had severe stenosis and a large aneurysm on my aorta. I had to have my aortic valve replaced and a portion of my aorta replaced as well. Obviously, listen to your doctor over the people on this site; but, for what its worth, I did not exercise after finding out I needed surgery. I was just too worried that something would happen. I did, however, continue normal activities like walking, fishing, etc.

Also, you may think you are asymptomatic because you have had this issue for so long. Before surgery I thought I had no symptoms; but now that I have had the surgery I am amazed how much better my breathing is. It's almost as though I didn't even know how sick I was since I was sick for so long.

Cleveland Clinic is incredible. You are in good hands.

Bob Fessler  Hi Linda...I have severe stenosis and am also asymptomatic. My doc said to do what I always do and he will see me in 3 months unless I develop symptoms. He told my wife that this is not a 911 worry, it's more of a keep track of how I feel thing. I personally would consider surgery without symptoms if the next echo show deteriorating readings that alarm me. I'll play it by ear.

  I was in moderate/severe stenosis and my cardiologist said to listen to my body when I exercised. Another told me not to have my heart rate above 145. If you feel like it is too much, it probably is and I wouldn't go run a marathon or anything like that.

Roger Birch  Good luck, I'm sure they will point you in the right direction. This is a wonderful place to read and share.

Adam Pick  Linda - Dr. Pettersson is not only a great surgeon, he is an amazing person. I have been lucky to know him now for many years -- since starting this website. Congrats on finding one of the gurus. To learn more about Gosta, click https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/surgeons/dr-Gosta-Pettersson-Cleveland-Ohio.php.

Elaine Cutri  I was very glad that I had my surgery at the Cleveland Clinic. My recovery was smoother than I expected. It was my 4th OHS and I needed an excellent surgeon and a great team to support my operation and recovery. I hope all your questions are answered and helps bring you comfort. It's a big decision, but being on the other side is a big relief. Best wishes tomorrow.

Jacqueline Cook  I had my mitral valve repaired at CC on November 11. I was really impressed with the hospital and staff. I couldn't be happier with the care I received while I was there.

susan kotansky  I had a mitral valve prolapse with severe regurgitation for most of my life. I had no symptoms, at least none that were different from what I had always experienced (pvcs). In the last six months my cardiologist suddenly said have surgery (it had never been discussed before). The surgeon said I could be monitored every three months but surgery was inevitable. He said best to do it while my heart was strong and healthy, even though I had no symptoms. I decided to go ahead and on October first I had surgery. It's over and I'm happy I didn't wait. Turned out my valve was in worse shape than it appeared on the echo. The worst part of the month before surgery was anxiety.

Emily Rowley 
This Friday will be exactly one month to my Surgery. I'm trying to prepare as best I can (any tips?). I have experienced anxiety and severe symptoms these last few months, so I'm looking forward to having the Operation & being on my road to recovery. What does your Surgeon or Cardiologist think?

Gary Stripling  I went from moderate mitral regurgitation to severe in about 7 months (from December to July earlier this year). It got so bad my cardiologist sent me to the surgeon and within 2 weeks I was in OHS for 6 hours. The last month before surgery I was constantly out of breath, no energy and had mild chest discomfort because of the mitral valve issue. Glad that's all over and I'm feeling so much better!

Wanda Mroz  I had mitral valve prolapse also and while they were in the heart they fixed a tiny tricuspid valve leak and did a maze procedure to prevent afib. I am 4 months post surgery, going through rehab and just back to work. The closer the surgery got, the more nervous I became. But at the same time I wanted it over and done with. My valve went from moderate to severe in the span of two years and I was having palpitations and was feeling tired but I walked almost every day. My heart otherwise was healthy so when they said fix within 6 months I went ahead and did it. I think the worse part most refer to is the anxiety rather than physical symptoms. Now that I'm fixed I realize how poorly my heart was beating and how often I felt lightheaded. Those symptoms are gone. If they say do it, I wouldn't wait too long. It's not a piece of cake but you can do it... It is doable, truly.

Emily Rowley  Whoa both of your stories Gary & Wanda are scary but it's great you got it fixed up. Fear is the one thing that holds me back but on the other hand I hopefully & know I can get through this (for the 2nd time!) with all the lovely support esp on here. And you too Linda can get through it, we are here for you 😊

You must've had a great Surgeon Wanda to pick up small leak in another valve. When I went in for mitral valve repair +1 hole, my amazing Surgeon found another hole to fix at the back wall of my heart-so he must've took my heart out, turn it around.

Steven A Husted  i agree with the others if the doctor said it should be done soon i would not wait to long i was told in january for the first time that i had a heart murmer and severe aortic stenosis and needed a aortic valve replacement and a bypass this scared me to death i did not want ohs but every one around me said i should have it done after reading adams book and posts on this website i met with my cardiogist and he sent me to the hospital to see my surgion right away three days later i had ohs they replaced my aortic valve and did a bypass i am glad i did not wait any longer i feel great and i am over one year out i have a bovine heart valve moo moo ha ha i hope this may help you or someone elce best wishes and prayers for you

Eddie Patton  Most will say the waiting is at least as bad if not more so than recovery. For me having to just wait without being able to do anything to help sucked. At least after there were things I could do to be proactive.

Eddie Patton  Was the same for me. I just listened to my surgeon. Even though I was asymptomatic he said after surgery it was really bad.

Eddie Patton  Oh and I only thought I was asymptomatic as few weeks after surgery I realized that was not the case, I was just used to the decreased blood flow.

Tina Maroon  Who are you seeing at the Cleveland Clinic?? I had Dr. Soltesz do my Open Heart surgery on June 9, 2015. I had an Aortic Aneurysm and 2 holes in the heart and 2 valves repaired. I was born with a ventricle Septal Defect such as you describe as well.I am 48 yrs old.

Steven A Husted  you can read my story i was scared to death of ohs now i am over one year out and i dont know what i was so scared of it was not that bad at all and if i really had to i could do it again with out being afraid i had mine done at my local hospital i had severe aortic stenosis and a blocked artery they replaced my aortic valve and did a bypass i am doing fine oh and welcome to our heart valve family

Charles Haas  I had mitral valve repair at the Hospital of University of Pennsylvania 39 days ago, and was very pleased with the surgeon, the staff, and the ultimate recovery.

David Augustus  Linda, I was born with the same condition and had my aortic valve and root replaced in May 2014. You can read my journal and don't hesitate to ask any questions that you may have. Knowledge is power when you are facing heart surgery. Dave

Tammy Pilcher  Hi Linda, welcome to the group! I had my BAV replaced Oct. 31, 2014 and have done really well. You are welcome to read my surgery experience post in my journal and if I can answer any questions, I will. It wasn't as bad as I had thought it would be. Prayers and best wishes, Tammy

Eddie Patton  I am not quite 5 months out and doing great. In the last 6 weeks I have done a 3.7 miles obstacle course and a 5k. I have been in the gym starting at 8 weeks. I had never done a run before surgery.
My point is once this has been done you can be as good as you are now and likely better. You are having this because your circulation is compromised so better circulation could mean better physical performance. Good luck.

Terrie Syvertsen  Hi Linda. Don't forget to check your My Guestbook for messages from people too as well as the My News section! (Don't want you to miss any
messages from the community or friends/family!

Mindy Currence  Linda, Welcome to the family!!!! We are all scared, but I will say you will never find any better support than here. Since I joined a few weeks ago, I have had all of my questions answered. It also helps me to focus on supporting others than worrying about myself. I encourage you to ask any specifics on your mind. Everyone is great about helping you.

  Welcome, Linda and good luck with your decision. Cleveland Clinic offers wonderful web chats on valve replacement. I am due for surgery myself in a few weeks although have a strong family history of BAV and family experiences with tissue and mechanical valves. Pros and cons to both. Thinking of you on your journey.

Jackie Owens  I am 8 weeks post op double valve replacement and a stent. I'm 38 and in great physical condition. I was pretty much asymptomatic until a month before surgery. My Aorta was too at a critical stage, even though I never felt it.

This was my 4th open heart surgery. From my experience the worst part were the pains in places I didn't know could hurt. The first couple weeks after surgery my worst pain was not my sternum but my shoulders, ribs and upper back. You will be physically exhausted for a while, especially that first week or so at home...(get a recliner as it will be your saving grave!) But, by the third week I felt pretty good. I was walking up to three miles a day by week 3. Now, at 8 weeks I'm still tired at times but back to work full-time as of this week and last weekend I was able to snowshoe 10 or so miles. It's very scary to think about, but with technology today it's amazing what heart surgeons can do. I chose a 71 year old surgeon out of UCLA who has 45 years experience. Get many opinions...it's like buying a car...when you find that right "one" you'll just know! ;).

Good luck! I'm a survivor of 4 of these ...if I can do it, anybody can! :)

Ginger Marine  Linda, it is natural to be scared, but I can truly say it is worth going through because you will feel much better in every way when it has been done. I thought the doctor was rushing it, but now that I have had the surgery I cannot believe how bad I was feeling and didn't realize it! Best wishes!