I will be having mirtal vavle replacement and internal mammary artery graft on Dec 30th I am 37 years old what can I expect?
Susan Lynn Terry - You're definitely young and, like all of us, naturally wondering what's ahead. First, are... Read more
Susan Lynn Terry - You're definitely young and, like all of us, naturally wondering what's ahead. First, are you sure you're having a mitral valve replacement rather than a repair. More than 90% of mitral valves are repaired by experienced mv surgeons.
Do you know what type of entry you're having? Sternotomy, mini-sternotomy, mini-thoracotomy, full robotic? Not that this makes a huge difference in recovery (because the surgery itself is the same), there are some restrictions unique to some of them.
I had a minimally-invasive, mini-thoracotomy mitral valve and chord repair and had a pretty easy procedure and recovery. I felt tired for awhile, but didn't have any pain. Within two weeks, I felt 95% healed. That last 5% does take some time, but the whole process was very tolerable.
Try to relax on the day of surgery - it will feel like a one minute nap and it'll be over. As soon as they will allow you to get up and walk, do it. Take your time. Rest in between your strolls of the hallways and you'll be out in no time.
If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask. There are lots of mv heart warriors on this site!
I am from: Pine Knot
Do you know what type of entry you're having? Sternotomy, mini-sternotomy, mini-thoracotomy, full robotic? Not that this makes a huge difference in recovery (because the surgery itself is the same), there are some restrictions unique to some of them.
I had a minimally-invasive, mini-thoracotomy mitral valve and chord repair and had a pretty easy procedure and recovery. I felt tired for awhile, but didn't have any pain. Within two weeks, I felt 95% healed. That last 5% does take some time, but the whole process was very tolerable.
Try to relax on the day of surgery - it will feel like a one minute nap and it'll be over. As soon as they will allow you to get up and walk, do it. Take your time. Rest in between your strolls of the hallways and you'll be out in no time.
If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask. There are lots of mv heart warriors on this site!
We'll be here cheering for you!