Just wanted to share an update. Dr. McCarthy was able to repair my value on 12-18 and I was able to come home after 4 days. All has been going well. I am have ...Read more
Just wanted to share an update. Dr. McCarthy was able to repair my value on 12-18 and I was able to come home after 4 days. All has been going well. I am have able to walk, take stairs and most of the pain is gone. I have not had pain meds for a couple days and that has really helped getting off those meds. When you need them take them. Don't try to be brave, I paid a price by not staying up on those. You also need to be honest when they ask about your pain levels. I was in pain until they finally took the last of my 3 tubes out. That made a big difference, more comfortable.
Not great rest while in hospital but nurses were great. I did have one minor setback. After my surgery, while still in recovery, they made a decision to go back in because they had more bleeding that normal so not a great outcome but that is the less than 1% he shared.
Eating, still not a great appetite and I have lost 12 lbs. The meds to get the fluids off have been very effective.
So best of luck to the rest of you. Have my follow up 1-16 and will make sure I am still on track.
While I was not to nervous, this was my 1st surgery of any type and it was a big one. Take care and let me know if you have any questions.
Steve
John Morales Steve glad to hear your recovering for those for us still waiting every success is a positive for us ... Read more
John Morales Steve glad to hear your recovering for those for us still waiting every success is a positive for us especially me, I just started my journey wishing you the best of luck for a full recovery and back to new...
Dan Baltazor Welcome to recovery. Glad to hear your setback was resolved. Keep grinding out each day.
Rob Sparling Excellent news. Next up: Walk walk walk walk walk.
David Moore Glad to read you are home. David agree's with Rob, walk, walk, walk. David still does laps around t ... Read more
David Moore Glad to read you are home. David agree's with Rob, walk, walk, walk. David still does laps around the house. Prayers for your continued improvement. - Cheryl
Lisa Guinan Great news! Treat yourself to some Avanti’s. That’ll surely help your appetite.
steve pruett Thanks for the words of encouragement. I made it to church today and was nice to get out even for a ... Read more
steve pruett Thanks for the words of encouragement. I made it to church today and was nice to get out even for a short time.
Well went to my consult last week with Drs. Thomas and McCarthy. After the day we determined I needed to have surgery sooner than later as I had an episode ...Read more
Well went to my consult last week with Drs. Thomas and McCarthy. After the day we determined I needed to have surgery sooner than later as I had an episode of AR while completing my Stress Echo.
Good news I was at hospital and came out to normal rythym w/o intervention. Going to talk with Dr. Mc Carthy on Monday and surgery on Tuesday.
Couple questions, how many days post op were you in the hospital. As little as 3 and some more.
How long before you felt normal? Able to excersise, swim, lift weights, golf, fly in airplane?
I plan to discuss with team as I recover, just wondering.
Feel good with plan and Dr. McCarthy doing surgery. Dreading the breaking of my chest open. Feel that will take time to heal and be very painful.
More after I get back home next week-I hope.
Louanna Miller Dr. Thomas and Dr. McCarthy are my physician/surgeon at NM. I had Mitral Valve Repair on August 20. ... Read more
Louanna Miller Dr. Thomas and Dr. McCarthy are my physician/surgeon at NM. I had Mitral Valve Repair on August 20. Dr. McCarthy is excellent. He will fix anything that he determines needs his attention.
I was in ICU for 2 days post op and then moved to the step-down floor. I had a few issues with pain, drops in my blood pressure, etc., so I the respirator was not removed for about 8 hours. I was so sedated, that it was not a big deal at all.
I had other additional issue with a few episodes of AFib, low oxygen level and fluid in the plural sac. All of these took extra time to work out for me, but I do believe I was an outlier from most of Dr. McCarthy's patients.
He shared with me that I would likely go home on day 3-4, but I was there for 10 days. You will go home sooner, I am sure. The patients on this website that also had Dr. McCarthy have been home by day 4.
My son married September 22 in Charleston, SC. Dr. McCarthy agreed I could fly at that time as long as all was good. I saw the surgical team at 2 weeks post op and my valve was not having any leakage, etc. We flew on a direct flight. I was not 100% then by far, but was able to attend all of the main festivities for the wedding with resting in between.
Walking in encouraged in the hospital and the more you do the sooner you feel better and leave. I continued to walk when I was home. I started cardiac rehab at week 8, but most seem to start at week 6. I have learned we are all unique physically and you have to listen to your body and not push beyond what it can handle. Cardiac Rehab really helped me to progress. It was then that I started lifting weights, and walking more and more.
Please ask any questions before or after your surgery. I will be praying for you next week.
I did not feel normal for a good 2 months, and really not like myself until 3 months.
Louanna Miller I would encourage you to take your own pillows. They only have the plastic covered ones, and they ar ... Read more
Louanna Miller I would encourage you to take your own pillows. They only have the plastic covered ones, and they are uncomfortable and don't breath like a cotton pillow case. You likely can't have it in ICU, but can in the step down floor.
Lisa Guinan Everyone is different. My surgery was on Tue. morning and I was home Sat afternoon. I’m 54 and had ... Read more
Lisa Guinan Everyone is different. My surgery was on Tue. morning and I was home Sat afternoon. I’m 54 and had mitral valve repair. If you participate in cardiac rehab, they’ll monitor you and tell you how much exercise you can do. It’s 12 weeks before all lifting restrictions are removed. My sister also had MVR. She was able to start water aerobics after 8 weeks. It’s 4 weeks before you’re allowed to take a bath. Again, lots depends on the patient and the dr. I was allowed to drive after 3 weeks. I know a lot of people have to wait longer. Best of luck to you.
steve pruett THANKS FOR ALL THE INFO. I KNOW EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT AND HOPE THAT MY EXCERSISE PROGRAM WILL PAY OF ... Read more
steve pruett THANKS FOR ALL THE INFO. I KNOW EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT AND HOPE THAT MY EXCERSISE PROGRAM WILL PAY OFF AFTER SURGERY.
Louanna Miller I think exercise prior to surgery is beneficial, I had to stop all of mine because of my symptoms.
Willie Radl I had a mini sternotomy for AVR, was out of hospital in 4 days. I'd say the typical recommendations o ... Read more
Willie Radl I had a mini sternotomy for AVR, was out of hospital in 4 days. I'd say the typical recommendations of 4 weeks to driving, 3 months for full recovery of sternum is pretty accurate. I was at cardiac rehab my 3rd week out and felt I could have done much more than they had me doing, they wouldn't let me jog until 8 weeks but I felt like I could have sooner. I would say don't worry too much about the sternotomy, they give you enough drugs after surgery that it's definitely managable, but you'll feel sore. After surgery just focus on healing first, worry about getting your cardio back 2nd.
Rob Sparling Steve, beside Louanna (above) Dan Vechiola will chime in here soon we can be sure. He had NW and Dr ... Read more
Rob Sparling Steve, beside Louanna (above) Dan Vechiola will chime in here soon we can be sure. He had NW and Dr McCarthy and had a great outcome. I had full sternotomy with AVR and was in the hospital 6 nights but the last one was due to a slight fever the afternoon before scheduled discharge. They kept me longer to be safe while waiting for bloodwork, etc to prove I was ready to go. I am three months out and began driving again at 8 weeks. Sat in backseat for first six weeks. Lifting restriction removed at week six as well. You will do great!
steve pruett Thanks, looking forward to moving on from surgery and getting ready for golf season. Thanks for all ... Read more
steve pruett Thanks, looking forward to moving on from surgery and getting ready for golf season. Thanks for all your feedback and words of encouragement.
Heather Brown I had Mitral Valve repair done by Dr McCarthy in October. I was in the hospital for five days.....I s ... Read more
Heather Brown I had Mitral Valve repair done by Dr McCarthy in October. I was in the hospital for five days.....I stayed an extra day because my blood pressure was low and I felt faint. I was able to drive at 4 weeks post surgery, and I just went back to work last week. I still don't feel like myself, but that will take time. I also dreaded the idea of a sternotomy, but it was really not bad at all. Just stick to the precautions they give you.
Anyone have this condition. Going to see Drs at Northwestern Hospital for consult.
if you had surgery were they able to repair vs replace valve.
Thanks. ...Read more
Anyone have this condition. Going to see Drs at Northwestern Hospital for consult.
if you had surgery were they able to repair vs replace valve.
Thanks.
Carmel Power Hi Steve. I have Barlow’s Disease. In February this year I had a mitral valve repair minimally inva ... Read more
Carmel Power Hi Steve. I have Barlow’s Disease. In February this year I had a mitral valve repair minimally invasively.
Louanna Miller I didn’t have Barlow’s disease, but had Mitral Valve prolapse with severe regurgitation and other ... Read more
Louanna Miller I didn’t have Barlow’s disease, but had Mitral Valve prolapse with severe regurgitation and other issues. My surgeon at Northwestern was Dr Patrick McCarthy. He’s very reputable with an extremely high success rate. He performed my mitral valve repair surgery in August 20.
If you have any questions about tests, surgery, recovery etc. please ask. I’ll share my experience.
Susan Lynn I also have Barlow's disease. I had a minimally-invasive repair a year ago. If you have any quest ... Read more
Susan Lynn I also have Barlow's disease. I had a minimally-invasive repair a year ago. If you have any questions, you've come to the right place.
Lisa Guinan I had a Barlow’s mitral valve repaired by OHS. My surgeon told me ahead of time that would make it ... Read more
Lisa Guinan I had a Barlow’s mitral valve repaired by OHS. My surgeon told me ahead of time that would make it a little more complicated but not unfixable. He was 90% sure going in that he’d be able to repair and he did. Do you live in Illinois? I’m near Spfld.
Adam Pick Steve, Hopefully this can help you learn a little more. I'm guessing that Dr. McCarthy will be able ... Read more
https://www.Heart-Valve-Surgery.com - See why Sophie Marsh traveled from the boat yards of Connecticut to the operating room of Dr. David Adams at Mount Sina...
I am from: Bloomington
I need to walk more.
Happy New Year everyone.