Living with a Mechanical Heart Valve: Click.Tick.Thump. Love It!

Artificial Heart Valve Surgery & Living with Warfarin: UK Info Support Group

New to here

Hi all....found this site more by accident while surfing for info on my upcoming surgury.

 

I was born with a heart murmer that was later diagnosed, when I was 30, as being caused by a bicuspid aortic valve defect. This year I turned 50 and now after monitoring the valve for the last 20 years, my specialist has recommended that it get replaced as soon as possible. I have run the gauntlet of all the pre op testing....Echos, CT scan, MRI, Angeogram etc etc. and all else is peachy keen except for the valve. They said it is severe stenosis with 70-75% leakage I do believe. They are recommending a mechanical valve because of my age and activity level.

 

I am on the list to get the valve replaced between March 15th and April 30th.

 

Needless to say, I am nervous about getting the procedure done, but the alternative of leaving it is not that good, so we, the wife and I, have decided to go ahead.

 

Any info or advice you can give me about the surgury, recovery, when you wake up, etc etc would be greatly appreciated.

 

Regards

Curt 

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Permalink Reply by Graeme on February 9, 2012 at 9:33

Hi Curtis.

 

In answer to your question - take a really good cruise around the site - its got lots and LOTS of info that wil lbe of great help to you as lots of other members have asked the same questions and info. Altough everyone op is different the basics are not.. if its a convetional chest crack - it hurts! However after two weeks or so you are pretty much over it and its up to you and nature as to how quickly you heal.. I think it was about 6-8 weeks with me b4 i felt completely over it apart from the odd twinge or so. Anyway - have a good look around and ask any specific questions you like - we are all here to help you!    

 

cheers

 

Graeme

Permalink Reply by garrydunning on February 9, 2012 at 19:30

hi curtis i had mine done on the 20/01/2012 and all i can say is listern to the doctors and nurses and do as they say.when you wake up the pain meds they have you on you wont feel a thing.when you get back to the ward out icu dont over reach and try not to lift anything.I know it sound daft but i tried to reach i little to far for a glass of juice and it hurt like billyho.that another thing drink lots cause you wont feel like eating.

all in all i promise you will feel better for this when done

regards

gary

Permalink Reply by John French on February 9, 2012 at 20:44
Curtis - this thread has a few personal accounts of the procedure and the stay in hospital which you might find useful.

http://www.mechanicalheartvalve.co.uk/forum/topics/new-to-here-awai...

Regards

John
Permalink Reply by Curtis Huebner on February 10, 2012 at 4:18

Hi guys, thanks for the replies and support...yes it is the conventional chestcracker so I am expecting some discomfort and pain for sure. This is my first major surgury, actually first surgury of any kind, so I am not 100% sure what to expect, so I have been surfing the net and this site gathering all the info I can. Also found some info I didn't want to know too!

 

Please keep the info and personal experiances coming, good or bad, all the info I gather now will help prepare me for my journey ahead.

 

Regards

Curt

Permalink Reply by Madeleine M on February 10, 2012 at 9:30
Hi Curtis,
My surgery was almost three months ago and was also my first operation. I was really nervous, and still do not like anything medical being done to me.

The actual surgery and recovery was not as bad as I had anticipated. My op was to replace my BAV and aortic root. It was a 4-5 hour procedure, and I was awake in ICU a few hours after surgery had finished. I woke up with the breathing tube in, but it didn't cause me any discomfort. The nurse gave me a pen and paper to communicate with her. I think I must have bugged her with my questions, because I wanted to know everything that was being done to me. The breathing tube was removed a few hours later because I had woken up and was alert. Before the tube was removed, it was suctioned, and that was the only discomfort that I felt. I was not in any pain when I awoke, and have not had significant pain during my recovery. Perhaps a little back and side ache, but not really soreness around my chest wound.

The next morning, I was given breakfast and got out of bed. I have to say, I would have preferred to have stayed in bed, but sitting upright gives a better recovery. Later that day, my surgeon said I was well enough to be discharged to the normal ward. I had my chest drainage tubes out. Their removal did not hurt me, but there was a peculiar pulling and tugging sensation.

The main blip in my recovery was that I became dependent on my temporary pacemaker, and so a week after surgery needed a permanent one put in. This meant that my hospital stay was 12 days, rather than the typical 7.
Permalink Reply by Neil Buckland on February 14, 2012 at 13:13

Hello Curt,

Just like to say that I'm in exactly the same boat. I got a lot of comfort from this site knowing that I wasn't alone, which I felt at the time. I, like you, are extremely nervous about the op but realise that if I leave it the outlook is not good. I don't have a date yet but am on the list. The waiting is the worse so in a a way I'll be glad when that hurdle is over and then its just concentrating on recovery. There is some great advice on this site that certainly made me feel a whole lot better.

Best of luck with the op and keep me posted as to how things are going. Best wishes,

Neil

Permalink Reply by Curtis Huebner on March 4, 2012 at 11:37

Hi all....have been absent from the site for a bit getting some personal things done before surgury. My tentative surgury date has been set for Wed, March 7th/2012. Being an elective surgury, I could still be bumped if another emegency comes in that needs priority, but as of yet, that is the surgury date.

I want to thank you all and the site as I have found a lot of answers to questions/concerns I have had and now feel better prepared for my journey ahead.

I will report back in when I am feeling better after the surgury and let you all know how it went.

 

Take care and thanks again

 

Regards

Curt

Permalink Reply by Neil Buckland on March 4, 2012 at 11:46

Hello Curtis,

Keep us posted about your recovery. I look forward to reading about how you got on.

I'm still waiting for a date and the anxiety is killing me. All the best and a speedy recovery.

Best wishes,

Neil

Permalink Reply by John French on March 4, 2012 at 21:04
Curtis - hope everything goes well on Wednesday and you don't get bumped by an emergency.

Let us know how you get on when you are feeling up to it.

Al the best

John
Permalink Reply by step_by_step on March 5, 2012 at 21:35
Hello, my name is Joana, I am from Cyprus, I am 32 years old. I had three heart operations. Over the last put of mechanical heart valves. one years, when I changed my date of birth and life  move in a different rhythm.
There are very good to meet the same fate friends. Share tips, experiences and enjoy happy momments.
Good luck for everybody. With love J....
Permalink Reply by Curtis Huebner on March 6, 2012 at 1:00

Well, it happened......I have been bumped just as I feared......they said probably before the end of March yet though....here is hoping as I really hate the waiting!

Permalink Reply by step_by_step on March 6, 2012 at 11:17



Curtis Huebner said:

Well, it happened......I have been bumped just as I feared......they said probably before the end of March yet though....here is hoping as I really hate the waiting!

For me also operation always delayed.The hardest part is waiting.

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