NEED ADVICEON WHAT TO EXPECT WITH SURGERY

• By purple66
• Reply 3370701
• September 12, 2012 at 11:17 pm
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babybear012,

I didn't have bypass despite the fact it was on my pre-surgery plan. They found my arteries were clear. I did, however, have my aortic valve replaced with a pig valve and then wound up getting a pacemaker after developing complete heart block. This was my second open heart surgery as I had my aortic valve repaired in 1979. Open heart surgery is a HUGE event........but you are in good hands with the surgeon. It is quite amazing what they can do and how they can save/improve our lives.

My biggest surprise was that it took longer to recover than I expected after reading the brochures I had been given. I felt I was lagging behind or slacking in some way. I think they should be more reasonable in the expectations they give us so we don't feel "off track" if we take s lil longer than another patient. It is all very individual from one person to the next. Give yourself time to heal and make sure when your body tells you to rest - you rest. Also, be willing to accept help from others at first.

For the first 2 weeks I couldn't even shower without assistance. I didn't have any appetite for a full 6 months then it mysteriously returned. I needed help preparing meals for a little while and couldn't really clean the house or anything. Believe me........it all came back soon enough and I was back to my household chores. :) I would also highly reccomend you take them up on cardiac rehab if/when it is offered to you. It was such a blessing to learn to trust my body with exercise/acticities again under nurses supervision.

Best wishes and let us know how you are doing when you are on the mend enough.

Jeanne

• By heartlaser
• Reply 3370855
• September 13, 2012 at 1:28 am
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I had bypass surgery in 2004. I was 60 at the time. You should feel pretty good after the surgery. You'll be a bit weak for a while. Usually 2 to three weeks, but you should feel good. The meds they give you can make you feel a bit manic at times. As a matter of fact I told my wife that everyone should have heart surgery if you feel this good. Even my GP asked me if I had manic bouts, but up until then I just thought I was feeling good because of the surgery. It does settle down after about 4 or 5 weeks. Watch your diet, cut out the junk, eat healthy foods, and...walk...walk... walk! The disease symptoms have a habit of returning if you are not careful. I have a friend who is 76 and has had three bypass surgeries, his first at 41 years of age. I have a website about him that many people have found inspiring. It's at http://heartattacklaser.com

Best of luck, and most of all, don't worry!
Jim Boult

• By LADC
• Reply 3371012
• September 13, 2012 at 6:17 am
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I had aortic valve replacement and have tissue valve (bovine). Jeanne is so correct about the brochures--please know that they seem to be exceptionally optimistic regarding hospital/recovery time. That was my experience and the experience of everyone I know who has had that surgery. I did not have a bypass, however. You will likely need help at home for awhile. I had a visiting nurse that my insurance covered. Please remember that recovery takes time--I didn't feel myself for several months. You may (likely will) experience some post-surgery depression. This is normal. Might be smart to make up some small meals ahead of your surgery and freeze them--key word small. Food may be unappetizing for awhile. Best of luck to you. Gail

• By Rudywg
• Reply 3371793
• September 13, 2012 at 11:25 am
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I had a hole in my heart patched when I was 25. Then I had my aortic and mitral valves replaced with mechanical ones.

My advice: be good to yourself. Give yourself permission and time to heal. Feel free to questions, but take notes so you remember all the new info that will come your way. Designate a family member or friend to be your contact initially. You can sign up on a website called: www.takethemameal.com. It creates a wonderful calendar where people can provide meals during the first days or weeks you are home. I also had a signal between my husband and myself that it was time for visitors to leave. It was: "Oh, by the way, Mr. Green returned your call." That meant I was tired and he was to clear the place out. It worked wonderfully and that leads back to: be good to yourself. Give yourself permission and time to heal.

Wishing you all the best. Rudy

• By sol-y-sombra
• Reply 3372300
• September 13, 2012 at 2:05 pm
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Hi. I'm just recovering from an aortic valve replacement 2 weeks ago today. Nothing goes as planned and I ended up spending a couple more days than I wanted in the hospital but I'm fine. Recovery has been going slower than I had hoped, but everyone else thinks I'm doing really well. Try not to be scared. It's a very routine procedure and they've gotten very good at it in the last 20 years. I would suggest you pull in all the emotional and physical support you can. Don't be ashamed to ask! I even called friends I hadn't seen for years. You will also need help when you go home. You should try to have someone stay with you for 2-3 weeks when you get out of the hospital if you live alone. And don't forget the practical little things like PJs and blouses that button up the front. Good luck to you and keep us posted on how you're doing.

• By sol-y-sombra
• Reply 3372303
• September 13, 2012 at 2:06 pm
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Hi. I'm just recovering from an aortic valve replacement 2 weeks ago today. Nothing goes as planned and I ended up spending a couple more days than I wanted in the hospital but I'm fine. Recovery has been going slower than I had hoped, but everyone else thinks I'm doing really well. Try not to be scared. It's a very routine procedure and they've gotten very good at it in the last 20 years. I would suggest you pull in all the emotional and physical support you can. Don't be ashamed to ask! I even called friends I hadn't seen for years. You will also need help when you go home. You should try to have someone stay with you for 2-3 weeks when you get out of the hospital if you live alone. And don't forget the practical little things like PJs and blouses that button up the front. Good luck to you and keep us posted on how you're doing.

• By beachflat
• Reply 3375623
• September 14, 2012 at 4:47 pm
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Yours is a very common surgery. It is big surgery but done so often all over the world. Everyone worries terribly before the surgery, you wouldnt be normal if you didn't but when you are home again you will be here giving others advice and telling them not to worry.

• By cmfic
• Reply 3377687
• September 15, 2012 at 1:06 pm
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Hi, I had quad by pass surgery 8/5/12 and came home 8/10/12. I went in for a 2nd stent ( last one 2004) and came out with a quad. Surgery wasn't easy- I was under for 5 solid hours, recovery immediately after was no fun, but aside from the nerve pain across my chest from my incision- and the fact that I still don't have my energy back yet- I look back and realize that if I can make it through all that, I can make it through anything. They harvested the saphenous vein from my r. leg, and luckily they only performed a tiny incision to remove the vein-my leg still feels numb, but it'll be ok in time.

I have been dealing with some depression, but i know that's considered normal. I am 55, single and have noticed that my "Friends" and Family have all tiptoed away from helping me after the 1st 2 weeks. So It's been up to me, myself and I. I highly suggest you see if you can get some in-home visiting nurse or physical therapist lined up. These two Ladies have been here for me a couple times a week when no one else was, and they answered questions and helped me through some rough spots. Make sure you have some help lined up for yourself after surgery for AT LEAST 2-4 weeks if possible. I wasn't alone for the 1st 2 weeks at anytime, and trust me , I needed the help. I am still sleeping in my recliner, and if you have one, you'll be using it. I can't lay down in my bed just yet, but Doc said this isn't uncommon.

And, make sure they give you GOOD pain meds for after you leave the hospital! I was well medicated for pain IN the hospital, but 10 mg of vicodin did nothing for pain after I came home! And when my chest hurts from the nerves flaring, its like nails on a chalkboard for me- so I had to go back for stronger pain meds or lose my sanity. Good Luck to you, Please let us know how it all goes. I'll be thinking of you.

• By LADC
• Reply 3377859
• September 15, 2012 at 2:20 pm
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cmfic, I work in the field of addiction recovery. I have seen the wreckage caused to individual and their families from opiate addiction, and often it starts with prescribed pain medicaiton. I had aortic valve replacement surgery. You, it seems, were taken apart and put back together like a puzzle. I was placed on 30 mg. Vicodin (hydrocodone) post surgery every four hours as needed. I have a high threshold for pain, but I really did need those meds and I took them even though I was very wary about the possibility of addiction. I weaned from them as soon as I could, but I certainly needed them when I came home. I cannot believe you were prescribed 10 mg. of Vicodin after what you went through. It's outrageous given the degree of pain you must have been in. I hope you are feeling better. Gail

• By cmfic
• Reply 3380090
• September 16, 2012 at 1:29 pm
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hi Gail-
Thanks for understanding about my pain, I too have a high pain threshold-having fibro,and connective tissue disorder all my life...I have taken narcotics on/off for years and clearly in my records they can see I have NEVER been even considered a risk for addiction or abuse...so yes, they should have sent me home with more than a lousy 5 mg vicodin and told me take 1-2 as needed every 3 hours! I don't know what needs them most- my body to stifle this horrific nerve pain- or my mind to numb me from the pain and mental anguish I've been dealing with by BEING in this much pain. I see my rheumatologist tomorrow, and if he isn't willing to give me stronger meds- the cardiologist is right across he hall, and they WILL be seeing me there demanding stronger meds. I just joined this site a couple days back, and already have had more support from here than anywhere else since the surgery!

• By irish-heart
• Reply 3380223
• September 16, 2012 at 2:35 pm
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i had my aortic valve replaced with a bovine valve april 18 of this year, i to expected to jump right back, but it takes time to heal, only now am i going back to work ,(i have a physical job)and i start part time and work my way up... give your self time to heal, i found out if i pushed myself my healing took much longer,and the best thing i did was to have plenty of help when i came home from the hospital, my daughter stayed with me for several weeks, at the beginning she was doing everything in the home then i was able to do little things...also have plenty of rest, sleep when you need too, i watched a lot of movies for the first few weeks, i dont think i ever seen the end of the movie as i always fell asleep, be good to your self . Diane