New to here. Awaiting surgery for replacement Aortic valve.

Hi All.

Les here, already found this site useful at first reading. I'm awaiting surgery to replace the bicuspid Aortic valve I was born with (plus a bit of the ascending Aorta)...not done too bad as done 50 years for me, lol. Have been through the anxieties about it and am resolved to having the op done - the alternatives are not an option anyway, it needs to be done. Biggest frustration has been that I've always been a fit hill and mountain walker until this last year, not being able to get up there has brought hard lifestyle change there. Hoping this valve will lead to eventual ability to do that again to some degree in the future. I'm being overseen by one Professor Bonser, so definitely in some of the best hands, if not THE best, in the country.

Interested reading the experiences from those of you already post op, both recent and longer term. Gives me an insight into what to expect afterwards. Going for the mechanical valve to avoid future surgery again cos of my age etc, so reading re Warfarin etc will be invaluable to me :-)

Cheers all, will be keeping an eye here often.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by John French on February 7, 2012 at 18:07

Les - great to see you are improving day by day.

I went through my 4 month post op milestone yesterday and still get the occasional ache from the operation scar but 6 - 8 weeks seemed to be the time when it was the most sensitive for me. Do you use moisturiser on the scar ? My GP recommended I moisturised (hypo allergenic cream) which definitely helped with the tight feeling of the skin at times and reduced some of the aching. Doesn't help with the nerves knitting back together though....

Never had numbness around my knees - did they do anything with the legs as part of your procedure ?

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Permalink Reply by Leslie Champion on February 11, 2012 at 7:36

Hi John.

Thanks for the experience shared. Yeah they took one or two veins from my right thigh for the aortic graft. Might be something in that. Still, knees working 100% so can't complain.

Pacemaker checked and all in good order :-) ... Now for the exercise treadmill test on Monday.

Les

John French said:

Les - great to see you are improving day by day.

I went through my 4 month post op milestone yesterday and still get the occasional ache from the operation scar but 6 - 8 weeks seemed to be the time when it was the most sensitive for me. Do you use moisturiser on the scar ? My GP recommended I moisturised (hypo allergenic cream) which definitely helped with the tight feeling of the skin at times and reduced some of the aching. Doesn't help with the nerves knitting back together though....

Never had numbness around my knees - did they do anything with the legs as part of your procedure ?

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Permalink Reply by John French on February 11, 2012 at 18:08

Luckily I avoided any vein harvesting just the artificial aortic graft was needed in my case.

Sounds like you are making good progress though - so keep heading forward.

Regards

John

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Permalink Reply by Leslie Champion on February 17, 2012 at 23:32

8 weeks post-op today :-) All checks appear fine, pacemaker in situ and perfect working. Fitness just wonderful, although have to regain upper arm strength I already feel fitter than before the op... mechanical aortic valve is very much efficient. First cardiac rehab exercise class today and still here to tell the tale, lol.

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Permalink Reply by Julian on February 18, 2012 at 0:52

Good to hear Leslie, sounds like your on the mend, Im 3 months post op, have they said when they want to check your pacemaker again, mine is 3 months cool little ticker last check said my batteries had 8 1/2 years life but I know they change the batteries every 5 years.
Good luck with rehab exercise its the day after you feel it, know I did.

Regards

Julian

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Permalink Reply by Dawn on March 8, 2012 at 17:40

Hi Leslie,

Was very interested to read your story. I too am under Prof Bonser at QE Birmingham. I had an aortic dissection in 1999 and Prof Bonser operated on me in April 2000 (13 hrs of surgery!). I am now due to go back in and have my aortic root repaired as it is dilated and they might have to replace my arotic valve too (as they are operating so closely to it and might damage it). I would be interested to hear who did your operation as Prof Bonser went off sick before xmas and I am told another member of his team will be operating on me. My surgery is now 1 month overdue. How did you find the new hospital? Last time I was in it was the old one. Look forward to hearing from you.

Regards

Dawn

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Permalink Reply by Leslie Champion on March 8, 2012 at 18:15

Hi Dawn

You will be fine. My op was done by Mr Mascaro, he was excellent. I cannot fault the staff in any way. I was in for 20 days and nothing was too much for them.

I hope it goes well for you. Do come back and let me/us know won't you.

Regards

Les

Dawn said:

Hi Leslie,

Was very interested to read your story. I too am under Prof Bonser at QE Birmingham. I had an aortic dissection in 1999 and Prof Bonser operated on me in April 2000 (13 hrs of surgery!). I am now due to go back in and have my aortic root repaired as it is dilated and they might have to replace my arotic valve too (as they are operating so closely to it and might damage it). I would be interested to hear who did your operation as Prof Bonser went off sick before xmas and I am told another member of his team will be operating on me. My surgery is now 1 month overdue. How did you find the new hospital? Last time I was in it was the old one. Look forward to hearing from you.

Regards

Dawn

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Permalink Reply by Leslie Champion on March 8, 2012 at 18:23

Hi Julian

They say they don't need to see me now for a year. Apparently its working fine. Good luck with yours.

Regards

Les

Julian said:

Good to hear Leslie, sounds like your on the mend, Im 3 months post op, have they said when they want to check your pacemaker again, mine is 3 months cool little ticker last check said my batteries had 8 1/2 years life but I know they change the batteries every 5 years.
Good luck with rehab exercise its the day after you feel it, know I did.

Regards

Julian

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Permalink Reply by Dawn on March 20, 2012 at 16:00

Hi Leslie - how long were you on the waiting list for? I've been on the list since 1st Nov - they told me it would be 3 months but it is way over that, was that your experience?

Thanks

Dawn
Leslie Champion said:

Hi Dawn

You will be fine. My op was done by Mr Mascaro, he was excellent. I cannot fault the staff in any way. I was in for 20 days and nothing was too much for them.

I hope it goes well for you. Do come back and let me/us know won't you.

Regards

Les

Dawn said:
Hi Leslie,

Was very interested to read your story. I too am under Prof Bonser at QE Birmingham. I had an aortic dissection in 1999 and Prof Bonser operated on me in April 2000 (13 hrs of surgery!). I am now due to go back in and have my aortic root repaired as it is dilated and they might have to replace my arotic valve too (as they are operating so closely to it and might damage it). I would be interested to hear who did your operation as Prof Bonser went off sick before xmas and I am told another member of his team will be operating on me. My surgery is now 1 month overdue. How did you find the new hospital? Last time I was in it was the old one. Look forward to hearing from you.

Regards

Dawn