Good morning. New to the site and looking for info about waking up in ICU after open-heart surgery. I have an asymptomatic aortic root aneurysm (5.2) with mild ...Read more
Good morning. New to the site and looking for info about waking up in ICU after open-heart surgery. I have an asymptomatic aortic root aneurysm (5.2) with mild aortic regurgitation. Age 67, active and rarely sick. Surgery scheduled with Dr. Lars Svensson at Cleveland Clinic in early 2026. Modified David procedure. Haven't had surgery since childhood and that was pretty traumatic. Am looking to connect people with people who have come through this and what it's like after waking up. Also, dealing with the fear of the unknown going into surgery. Best of luck to everyone here. tfabriziofl@gmail.com.
Jyll Welte I had aortic aneurysm & root surgery with the David procedure back in 2004. I was 33 at that tim ... Read more
Jyll Welte I had aortic aneurysm & root surgery with the David procedure back in 2004. I was 33 at that time. Even though I said I would accept bio-valve, they ended up doing a “valve sparing” procedure once they got in there, and dacron for the root repair. Happy to say it has held up all these years with no current regurgitation. As far as ICU, it was rough for a bit, and you’ll be “out of it” for a while, but that’s to be expected. Just take it slow, and do your breathing exercises. I know Cleveland clinic is one of the best!!. Best of luck with your surgery!
Dan Fouratt (Aortic valve replaced) When I woke up I was restrained. That was because I woke up an hour before a ... Read more
Dan Fouratt (Aortic valve replaced) When I woke up I was restrained. That was because I woke up an hour before and when right for the breathing tube. That tube was the hardest for me to deal with. Other then that memory most of the first day in ICU is a blur due to the drugs. Good luck you will do well.
Valerie Allen I had the same surgery at Cleveland Clinic and I just woke up groggy and hooked to several machines. ... Read more
Valerie Allen I had the same surgery at Cleveland Clinic and I just woke up groggy and hooked to several machines. Nothing unusual, nothing scary. No pain. They took the breathing tube out at a time I was too groggy to know. Cleveland Clinic runs like a well oiled machine, that’s part of the beauty -they’ve got ithe whole process down!
Jyll Welte Yes! I was restrained for a bit too because Apparently I was grabbing at my “picc” line and other ... Read more
Jyll Welte Yes! I was restrained for a bit too because Apparently I was grabbing at my “picc” line and other lines in my neck. I had a few complications and was a bit grumpy. 😳
J Alexander Lassally I was restrained also and very agitated and would not follow commands. I have noticed that many peopl ... Read more
J Alexander Lassally I was restrained also and very agitated and would not follow commands. I have noticed that many people express no issues - smooth sailing - and others like myself, do need support. It is all about the timing and the sweet spot of when they choose to extubate. The thing is - you are quite helpless, so you just soldier through it until you are more awake. I would say Cleveland Clinic did a good job of keeping me safe - and I had no express pain during the process. There was a choking sensation, but they sedated me further. The nurse told my family that those with Type A personalities - or Alpha types have more trouble! Interesting.
Some on the forum express "the smooth sailing" as though it is universal and that is a disservice. It just depends... I wish you well.
George Gardopee Tony - I’ll second what Valerie posted above. I had mitral and tricuspid repair 4 years ago at CC w ... Read more
George Gardopee Tony - I’ll second what Valerie posted above. I had mitral and tricuspid repair 4 years ago at CC when I was 69. I was terrified (but resigned) going into it, especially about the breathing tube. I was very pleasantly surprised at how well it all went - very little pain, excellent care, great outcome. I checked out 4 days after the surgery using only Tylenol.
The CC really has it down. I can recommend a YouTube video that helped me with the terror I had about the breathing tube. Like Valerie said, you will be quite sedated while the tube is in so it is not nearly as distressing as you will expect it to be. Good luck. Ask anything here - everyone is very knowledgeable and willing to provide advice and support.
Tony Fabrizio Thank you, everyone. That was helpful, though not as comforting as I'd hoped, lol. George G, will you ... Read more
Tony Fabrizio Thank you, everyone. That was helpful, though not as comforting as I'd hoped, lol. George G, will you send or post the link to the video you referenced?
J Alexander Lassally Tony - it makes no sense not to stick to facts and sadly there are grey areas to cardiac surgery we m ... Read more
J Alexander Lassally Tony - it makes no sense not to stick to facts and sadly there are grey areas to cardiac surgery we much live by. One surgeon totally lied to me about this process in my consults and I did not appreciate that... We're all adults!
Valerie Allen I also recall the absolute terror I felt in reading some detailed stories prior to surgery. For some ... Read more
Valerie Allen I also recall the absolute terror I felt in reading some detailed stories prior to surgery. For some of us who tend to catastrophize, it is better to deal with things when and if they happen instead of becoming even more fearful beforehand.
This video explains, step by step, the things that you can expect to be happening around you and the feelings you may experience as you are waking up from yo...
Rose Madura Tony, I also had the breathing tube in when I finally woke up. And I was restrained as well although ... Read more
Rose Madura Tony, I also had the breathing tube in when I finally woke up. And I was restrained as well although I think it was a precaution. As soon as I was able to breathe on my own, the removed both. The worst thing was the incredible thirst. When they finally give you ice chips, you will start feeling better.
Tony Fabrizio Thank you so much, George. And everyone else.
Patricia Miller Tony- I had the David procedure 1/2024 at Cleveland Clinic. Excellent care. So grateful I had my se ... Read more
Patricia Miller Tony- I had the David procedure 1/2024 at Cleveland Clinic. Excellent care. So grateful I had my second OHS there. I have memory of being extubated, but nothing before it. I remember getting instructions to breathe out and the tube was pulled quickly. It wasn't painful, and I was not in any distress that I remember. These days/weeks leading up to surgery can be unnerving. Deep breaths. You are going to do great.
It is all about the timing and the sweet spot of when they choose to extubate.
The thing is - you are quite helpless, so you just soldier through it until you are more awake. I would say Cleveland Clinic did a good job of keeping me safe - and I had no express pain during the process. There was a choking sensation, but they sedated me further. The nurse told my family that those with Type A personalities - or Alpha types have more trouble! Interesting.
Some on the forum express "the smooth sailing" as though it is universal and that is a disservice. It just depends... I wish you well.
The CC really has it down. I can recommend a YouTube video that helped me with the terror I had about the breathing tube. Like Valerie said, you will be quite sedated while the tube is in so it is not nearly as distressing as you will expect it to be. Good luck. Ask anything here - everyone is very knowledgeable and willing to provide advice and support.
https://youtu.be/U_lTF2ozUY0">https://youtu.be/U_lTF2ozUY0