Paige's Posts

Get yourself a travel pillow if you don't already have one. Reason? Your head is heavy, and you use a lot of energy holding it up. I used one in my recliner to get some really good rest in the weeks right after surgery. You'll also want some extra throw pillows or bed pillows handy - use them under your armpits/elbows when in your recliner to take some weight off your shoulders when resting. And keep looking forward - soon the waiting will be over and you'll have recovery goals to work on! Meredith Oak Ridge, TN

Dear Paige, I was 33 at the time of surgery, my recovery wasn't that bad, but I saw people here (who were older, btw) whose recovery was much faster and couldn't believe. Each person is different. I took it slowly, went for a rehab 2 months after surgery. Rehab lasted 3 months. After full 5 months I got back to my normal life (back to job, back to cycling 2x a week...). Regarding timing of surgery that one is almost always tricky and one simply can not pinpoint exact moment when it is best to do so. I was in the same dilemma with my mitral valve. So I asked for second and third opinion (all cardiologists). I also did a lot of research and looked at current most recent guidelines on when to operate and made my decision based on all of that. It isn't easy decision. You have to weigh on risks of waiting and having surgery earlier. I wish you a lot of strength, peace and knowledge! This site is precious. Ask anything and people will help. You can do this!

Paige I just had my mitral valve repair and am 34. Minus a few set , I was home in 6 days and am already feeling essentially normal! My left ventricle had just gone from mild dilation to moderate dilation a few months before my surgery and im glad i got it done. Longer you wait as far as dilation goes, its my understanding the harder it becomes to remodel back to normal