Rose's Journal

Steven Kantor  Rose, welcome to this wonderful community. I’m 53. I was 45 when I was in your exact position. By the way, nobody told me about the clicking noise when I was evaluating my options. I opted for a tissue valve at 45. It’s lasted 8 years and has to be replaced. Standard guidelines would say get the mechanical and I pray every person that gets one has the best possible outcome. This time I’m getting a Ross Procedure. You must do research and ultimately have to use only an extremely experienced surgeon at specifically performing the Ross.
My surgery is coming up on 12/9.
You’re welcome to go to my journal and message me if you’d like.
Do your homework and do what feels right for you. In the end, we can be fixed. Wishing you health.

Rose Mortensen  Thanks for sharing your experience and the helpful links in your journal Steve. It sounds like you don't regret your decision, even though you need a replacement now.
I completely agree about the research, it would just be easier if there was an obvious right choice :)
It seems like they only use the Ross Procedure in very special cases here in Denmark where I live, but I'll definitely ask the surgeon about it when I have my first consultation next week.
I wish you all the best for your procedure!

Steven Kantor  I believe I’ve heard of hospitals in Europe that perform the Ross procedure. Please don’t give up that pursuit. Also, from what I’ve read the only surgeons to consider have performed many. Again, do the research. It’s your life.

Steven Methot  Rose... time IS on your side. If the valve lasts 15 years, consider what medical technology will be like in 15 years! I know of two people here in Calgary who have had to have their valve replaced and each one had an easier time of it the second go-round with minimally invasive surgery.

Rebekah Schuster  Hello Rose,
I would agree that time is on your side. It is good you have time to think and research your options. I have two mechanical valves placed when I was 12 (mitral and aortic) they have lasted me 18 years, the only reason they are being replaced is they didn't know the size of the valve my heart would need as an adult. They do have the possibility to last for a long time depending on circumstances.

One thing I would also suggest looking into is the medications you would take after surgery, anti reflection for biological valves or blood thinners for mechanical. I have been on blood thinners my whole life due to mechanical valves and it can be tricky sometimes, I would suggest looking at the pro and cons of the medication side as well.
To be honest when I got my valves I did notice the noise, but I got just to it and it just blends in with everything else, the only time I can really hear it is when in a very quite room. I don't know if I would consider myself noise sensitive, but at night if you have trouble sleeping a white noise machine may help.

I hope this helps, good luck with your research and reach out with any questions!

Rose Madura  Its definitely a tough choice. I was 59 so my choice in tissue valve was a little easier to make. But it was still a difficult choice. I'd do research and get more than one opinion. Hope this helps.

Meredith Bray  Hi Rose, I was diagnosed with BAV and AS at age 33, and got a mechanical valve at age 43. I thought I was noise sensitive too - I count things in my head (steps, dashes in the road, breaths...) and thought the ticking would drive me NUTSO. It took some getting used to, and sometimes now I really have to concentrate to hear it. The anti-coagulation isn't bad either. I take warfarin, and while there is an adjustment period, the only issues I have had is increased bruising, and that only lasted for a few months just after surgery when I was struggling to get my med levels correct. I'm always walking in to doors, falling off curbs, "playing with knives" as my husband says. Haven't had any bleeding issues!
All that being said, choosing bio or mech is an intensely personal decision, and whichever you choose will be perfect for you!

Meredith
Clearwater, FL

Rose Mortensen  Thanks for sharing your experiences and your advice -It's really helpful to hear from people who have been in similar situations!