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I heard the cardiologist doing the echo that if you have a mechanical valve, it is tougher to see everything because of the shadows. He was narrating my echo for his medical interns. Don't know if that helps or not. :cool:

The day of surgery is day one over the mountain. It is all downhill from there hopefully. Enjoy the ride.

I had the A-fib after my surgery which was Nov. 8, 2007. The incidents were multiple times a day and then spread out longer and longer. The hopefully last one I had was 74 days after surgery and I am now 49 days A-fib free. The cardiologist told me this was the most common for valve...

Excellent news - Hope Hubby's recovery road has no speedbumps! :cool: I am no help on the INR tester; my cardiologist insists on lab work so far. I would feel so much more in control if I had the home tester. :mad:

I was cold after I came home and my taste buds were not working right. In a few weeks though, both the appetite and internal temperature came back to the voracious appetite and running hot temperature that I had before the surgery. It continues to be a struggle keeping the weight down...

More Pictures! More Pictures! I think we all echo Lorie and Debbie's comments - so straight to a few more pictures........... Debbie and Lorie Debbie (Debbie), Jim (Starrman), Deanne (BriansMom), Susan (SusanBAV), Mike (resqrn), and Lorie (harleygirl) Mike (resqrn), Debbie (Debbie)...

Looks like everyone has had this thrill. I actually had pain that would go down both my arms to my hands and just throb for about five minutes at a time......on top of the shoulder and neck discomfort. Cardio says it is from moving around the nerve groups during surgery and slicing through...

I am fifteen weeks post op and last week reached the point where the cardiac rehab class now has me doing some 2-4lb......yes 2 to 4 lb. weights as part of the program. I should probably add that my sternum was cut in two; so I got the full deal. I was healthy too except for the bicuspid...

I am 15 weeks post-op. I am in the midst of a cardaic rehab program of 24 sessions and I have completed 19. The rehab facility is at the hospital where I had my surgery and across the street from my cardiologist's office. The sessions are scheduled for up to a hour each in a small group (<5...

I will be there on the leap day. I have cardiac rehab in San Diego from 2-3pm so I will start driving up after that. You know the traffic is pretty bad at that hour but I should be there before 5pm. Unless it rains, then who knows when I will show up. Californians cannot drive when it...

Congratulations - a two day trip home. Man, I had a tough time with just 10 miles. As for the incision, the surgeon wanted me to wait until the incision was completely closed - so I did. :cool: Unscented soap and water and pat dry until then.

My cardiologist cleared me to drive after four weeks because I was off the pain medicine. I found it uncomfortable in making turns, turning my head, and transferring in and out of the car. I know everyone is different so I would defer to whatever your doctor tells you. He knows your case...

Escondido works for me; Debbie, I look forward to seeing you post-op! I will keep my eye out for the time and place. - Jim P.S. My first driving experience post-op was a tough one for my shoulders on turns. Take it easy and let yourself heal !!!

Wow - that is very fortunate. No cracking of the chest and a repair instead of a replacement. It does not get much better! Best of luck for an uneventful recovery! :cool:

Absolutely nothing wrong with a boring recovery......no need for uniqueness on this road! Mothers are wonderful and I am happy yours performing up to the task; mine did too along with my wife. I could never thank them enough. :cool:

Great news and all the best for a smooth and uneventful recovery. Take it easy - slow and steady! :cool:

I started my cardiac rehab program at the hospital after week eight as my cardiologist suggested. I think all doctors have a different view on this. I go three times a week. I just had session #11 and feel much stronger and the endurance is slowly building up. The smiling slavedrivers have me...

Mine is six and a half inches long nicely coupled with two lower horizontal scars from the lung tubes. It is a battle ribbon of life and I am glad to have it....considering the alternative. I'm not sure if size really matters with this; the important thing is that we can all still talk and...

I am 12 weeks post-op with an aortic valve and root replacement. The first few weeks I slept in a recliner and woke up off and on all night. Then I moved to the bedroom and had and still have lots of issues with falling asleep - this may endear you with your spouse but probably not. I was...

Not a runner and I had my AVR and root surgery a week before yours. After 8 weeks, I started rehab and am on session #11. I currently have a total of 37 minutes of exercise with a targeted heart rate of 20% above rest. With that said, I have had unusual increased pulse rates off and on since...