To post operative mitral valve repair patients......I am about 9 weeks out from robotic mitral valve repair. I still have episodes of severe chest pain that ...Read more
To post operative mitral valve repair patients......I am about 9 weeks out from robotic mitral valve repair. I still have episodes of severe chest pain that my docs say is inflammation from the procedure. It will mostly go away for a week or so then return. Anyone else experiencing this? How long does this go on?
Nancy D I wish I could answer that for you- my MV replacement didn't involve the robotics, was minimally inva ... Read more
Nancy D I wish I could answer that for you- my MV replacement didn't involve the robotics, was minimally invasive- no sternal incision. I am about the same post op point as you. Recovery is so individual -some smooth and easy course and others have lots of problems. I am hopeful my issue with low B/P and fast heart rate levels out eventually. Each day is better than the last.....hope your pain just goes away quickly!!!
I am nearly 3 weeks post op for robotic mitral valve repair. Curious about these symptoms I never had before surgery...... Light headed ness - like I have taken ...Read more
I am nearly 3 weeks post op for robotic mitral valve repair. Curious about these symptoms I never had before surgery...... Light headed ness - like I have taken sinus meds, dizziness, migraine like auras but no severe head ache. Anyone else experience this?
Elaine Martin Yes! I have. My surgery was in January. I have auras a lot, get dizzy (vertigo) which I never had, an ... Read more
Elaine Martin Yes! I have. My surgery was in January. I have auras a lot, get dizzy (vertigo) which I never had, and light-headed probably because my bp is so low. My heart rate is way fast too - often 90-100 at rest. Did your auras improve with time?
Hi,
I am one week out of robotic surgery for mitral valve prolapse repair. I truly believe my surgeon to be among the finest. However, getting advice from ...Read more
Hi,
I am one week out of robotic surgery for mitral valve prolapse repair. I truly believe my surgeon to be among the finest. However, getting advice from his office post operatively has been difficult.
Therefore I am seeking info in regard to some of the recovery symptoms I'm experiencing. Has anyone had severe bruising from the IV' s etc. on their arms? My bruises cover the majority of my inner arms (12 inches) and my arms ache especially when I am lying down. Has anyone experienced this? Also, how long until it's easier to find a comfortable position to sleep in?
My surgeons office just says, "everybody's different". Very frustrating. Any feedback is appreciated!
I had lots of IV bruising and arm discomfort too . I think a lot of times it has to do with how they ... Read more
I had lots of IV bruising and arm discomfort too . I think a lot of times it has to do with how they put it in and how long. If it doesn't start clearing up soon though, it's always best to have someone check it . I'm 5 months post op and there's certain ways I'm still not comfortable sleeping, especially on my pacemaker side . It really takes awhile and yes each person is different. The whole recovery process takes longer than they tell you . I think some people it is faster . Patience with your body and paying attention to the pain is the key. One week is not a long time . Read some of the former journals of people and that might give you a better idea. Take it slow though. It just takes time .
Eleanor R Hi, Lynn. I came home from the hospital covered in bruises, both arms, underarms, belly (from hepari ... Read more
Eleanor R Hi, Lynn. I came home from the hospital covered in bruises, both arms, underarms, belly (from heparin shots) and of course chest and neck. I described it as looking like the result of a capture by Alien Bodysnatchers. It took forever for the bruises to go away, but then I generally bruise easily. I could guess it was week 3 or 4 before some of them faded. Now at week six/seven, no signs remain, thank heavens. I rented an electric lift recliner and have been sleeping in that. I tried my bed on week 3 and that did not work for me at all, since I am a side sleeper. On my side, it felt like I was crushing my chest, and on my back it felt like I was stretching my chest too much. Someone else here described it as being like a turtle on its back. Since I still have the recliner, I've not tried the bed again, but I think I probably could do fine now, but why mess with success? I see such a difference with each week, and I wish you the same kind of progression in your healing. Best wishes, Eleanor.
Yes Eleanor... I slept in my recliner for the first 4 months and then on the couch for the next 2 or ... Read more
Yes Eleanor... I slept in my recliner for the first 4 months and then on the couch for the next 2 or 3 , propped up. Couldn't actually lay on my back or on my side for at least 3 months! But everyone is different but we all love those electric recliners for at least the first month!!! Lynn Quast
Michael Meyer Lynn:
Michael Meyer here and like the others I did have much bruising with IV's and the heparin shots ... Read more
Michael Meyer Lynn:
Michael Meyer here and like the others I did have much bruising with IV's and the heparin shots. I used lots of pillows for sleeping and had to sleep on my back the first couple of weeks sleeping on my side was out of the question. I did find that putting a pillow between my arm and and incisions on the right side was both helpful and comfortable. The turtle analogy is pretty correct as I would have to "roll" up out of bed to keep from hurting my chest. I kept good control of the pain so there was no pain keeping me awake. I am 6 weeks post op and the pain has subsided substantially. The pectoral area is still numb but there was a big change from week 4 to week 5.
Lynn Bush I am laughing at the alien analogy. My daughter also has robotic atrial septal defect repair. We both ... Read more
Lynn Bush I am laughing at the alien analogy. My daughter also has robotic atrial septal defect repair. We both refer to our surgery as alien abduction. So weird it strikes others that way too. I have had major surgery several times but never felt like this.
Michael Culpepper Lynn -
My mitral repair was via minimal invasive (right thoracotomy) so likely similar to your roboti ... Read more
Michael Culpepper Lynn -
My mitral repair was via minimal invasive (right thoracotomy) so likely similar to your robotic incision. For the week in hospital, plus about 7-10 days after coming home, I could only rest/sleep flat on my back. Gradually, I was able to get comfortable on my left side, then could lay on the right side after another week or so.
About the bruising, mine was in the thighs. My right thigh looked like a rainbow about 10 inches in diameter for nearly 3 weeks. The left thigh was not as extensive (heparin shots twice a day), but still took nearly 3 weeks to fade. Neither was severe enough to be painful, though.