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Aortic Valve replacement on June 5th

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Posted 5/18/2013 10:29 AM (GMT 0)
Hi,
My name is Lis and I am scheduled for an Aortic Valve replacement on the 5th of June. It has been a long time coming. I am very scared since my Dad died at age 72 on the operating table having heart surgery in 1980. I am 70.
Praying everything goes well.
What is the recovery time for a valve replacement? After getting back home when can you go up and down stairs?
If there is anyone here that can tell me I would appreciated it.
I'm having it done at UPMC in Pittsburgh and Dr L. Wei is doing it.
Thanks for all the information you can give me.
Lis

Edit - I gave your thread a title.  :)

Post Edited By Moderator (stkitt) : 5/19/2013 12:27:25 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/19/2013 6:25 PM (GMT 0)
Lis,

Welcome to HealingWell and I understand your fears and need for more info re your upcoming surgical procedure.  You have every right to be fearful as anytime we have surgery we are full of "what if?" questions.

I have not had the surgery but I do have a good link for you to check out that will provide you with information:

http://www.thirdage.com/hc/p/103224/aortic-valve-replacement-what-to-expect

Also I am going to encourage you to be your own best advocate and be sure to write your questions down to talk with your Drs. about prior to surgery.

Often our fear is much worse than the reality so stay strong and I will add you to my prayer list.

Blessings to you,

Kitt

Posted 5/20/2013 1:11 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, I suggest you check out the valvereplacement.org forum, as they have a ton of information. There is some good information in the post-surgery section. Here is a current thread started by someone post valve replacement. Sounded like he was getting around quite well after only 5 days.
http://www.valvereplacement.org/forums/showthread.php?41576-My-official-post-op-thread&p=537183#post537183
Posted 5/20/2013 1:43 PM (GMT 0)
I can give you my experience. I'm a 38 year old female. I was born with a heart defect, bicuspid aortic valve disease. I had my aortic valve replaced last May. I was healthy going into my surgery and moderately active.

I was in the ICU for about 24 hours post-op, extubated around 10 hours after surgery. I was out of bed at the 24 hour mark and walked to my wheel chair to move to the cardiac step down unit. Was mobile after that, using the rest room on my own and taking small walks.

I went home 4 days post op. I climbed my first flight of stairs about 2.5 weeks post op. Started driving and went back to work at 5 weeks and I ran my first mile at 7 weeks.

I hope this helps.
Posted 7/8/2013 9:43 AM (GMT 0)
Hi,
If somebody can help me :-) ) ?
I am a doctor and a patient, too...... and..... i am very scared.
I have congenital heart condition- coarctation of the aorta and bicuspidal valve ..................one operation at age of 9............never remembered it till now- 52, but need a new operation. I decided not to go.....hm, will die without........will die with it, too. don,t know what to do. You know more, i was avoiding this subject for so long.

Edit: I remove comments in your post that are against the rules. I deleted your other post completely as you were seeking personal info from our members.

7. Do not post offline personal contact information (ie. your home address, phone numbers etc.) and do not ask for personal information from others. This is to protect your security and identity.

Also do not point out the fact that you are a Dr. and follow it with asking for personal info from members...................... I would like to see you remove Dr. from your user name and if you want to talk in the forum with members please do it on a peer to peer status.

Thank you for understanding and please read the rules and guidelines of HealingWell.

 

Post Edited By Moderator (stkitt) : 7/8/2013 8:33:50 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 7/11/2013 8:52 PM (GMT 0)
I have had two aortic valve replacements due to a congenital defect. I had them both at St. Luke's hospital in Houston. You will be fine. It takes about 6 weeks to recover - little by little each day. You should probably be able to drive in about 6 weeks as well. Overall, I was completely back to normal and feeling great within 6 months. Exercising, etc. I had the first valve replacement in my 30s and opted for a porcine valve - I did not have to take Coumadin. The problem with the animal tissue valves is that they wear out and you may be subject to a second operation - which is why I later had the mechanical valve surgery. Now I take Coumadin daily. Overall, though, you are in a good hospital that performs these operations all the time and you will be fine!
Posted 8/6/2013 5:58 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone! I need a new aortic valve asap. Mechanical or bovine were my choices. I'm 53 y/o healthy female. Suggestions?
Posted 8/9/2013 5:56 PM (GMT 0)
I had my AVR almost 7 years ago, and I went with a mecanical valve. While you will hear some ticking, but it should last a lifetime.  A tissue valve will last 15 years tops, then you will need more surgery to replace it. The other thing to consider is with a mechanical valve you will need to be on coumadin. It's manageable though, I do home testing and haven't had any real concerns.

 

Posted 8/10/2013 3:00 PM (GMT 0)
I went bovine as I can't handle the blood thinners (that come along with the mechanical valve) because I also have Crohn's disease. I'm 37. I'm expecting at least one more in my lifetime, but am hoping for more options by my next surgery, making it my last.
Posted 8/17/2013 9:54 AM (GMT 0)
My sister had a bypass surgery July 31 they replaced her Aortic Valve and two arteries that were 80% clogged and she is a diabetic .Has anyone been given a double dose of blood pressure medicine. While she was in the hospital they were giving her a double dose of blood pressure medicine .That caused her blood pressure to drop to a danger low .She has only yesterday gotten to where she can walk down the hallway at home .But her heart is still skipping beats like before she had the operation. Me and my sister both have mytrol valve prolapse After being took of of blood pressure med she is making a little progress. They almost killed her with medicine she should,nd have had to take mad
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