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A very good friend of mine is looking at having his Aortic Valve replaced. His main concern is his age - 82 yrs. He was also questioning valve choice. I have both mechanical and bovine but I'm 42 yrs. So I was wondering if anyone has any words of wisdom that may have been through this. He is...

leine leine My tricuspid valve is bovine and my mitral and aortic valves are St Jude Mechanical. I'm two years out and unless I told you or you saw my scar you would never know I had OHS. I feel outstanding:)

leine, I had my surgery at Mass General Hospital. Dr Gus Vlahakes was my surgeon and he is also the Chief of Cardiology there. He is awesome:)

Hey Rob, Two years ago (I am 42) I had OHS at Mass General Hosp in Boston. My tricuspid valve is now bovine and my mitral and aortic valves are St. Jude mechanical, I also had a little hole patched. I have never felt better. My surgery was 9 hrs long. I was in the ICU for four days and five...

My friend just told me that her husband who had a stent put in 10/07 (first one and only heart issue) is back in the hospital not feeling well. The Dr. told her if a stent was going to have a problem it usually occurs in the first 6 months. Has anyone ever heard of this ?:confused:

Like Phyllis said, Boston is a great place for valve surgery. (if there is anything great about it) I had three valves replaced 2 yrs ago at Mass General. I had OHS not minimally invasive so I was in the hospital for nine days. Dr. Gus Vlahakes is a great surgeon:) I have never felt better...

I brought my own warm PJ's that had buttons in the front. I would also suggest a small donut shaped pillow for your tailbone. Mine was really sore after being on it for nine days. I also had my long hair cut to below my shoulders. It was much easier to brush and put up.:)

Hi Caroline, I am 41 and had OHS 2 Yrs ago. My aortic and mitral are St. Jude mechanical valves and my tricuspid valve is bovine. My surgeon told me my mechanicals should last my lifetime and my bovine valve about 20 yrs (maybe longer). I guess I just don't want another OHS for at least 20...

I sometimes get what feels like a cramp in my heart. I explained this to my cardio and he said it is probably a muscle spasm. When it happens. it is kind of scary:eek: My sternum only feels weird if I move the wrong way too fast, but it is not painful.

Does anyone know if it is OK to tan with mechanical and bovine valves:confused: I just wanted to ask before I call my cardio. I'm going away in a few weeks and rather not be lily white. I went pre-OHS, and yes, I know it is frowned upon by many:rolleyes:

Welcome Dcat96 Welcome Dcat96 I am from the Boston area also. I have only been a member for a little while but these people are the best. They know everything. I had my open heart surgery 2 yrs ago at Mass General. I had three valves replaced. What kind of surgery are you looking at? If...

clicking clicking I have two mechanical valves which make for very loud clicking. People tell me they can hear it across the room. Some people have told me that my watch is very loud. It is quite a conversation piece though. I often wonder if a person sitting next to me on a train or plane...

Three Valve Replacement Three Valve Replacement Carolrai, My OHS was to replace three valves, aortic, mitral, and tricuspid and also patch a hole. I can totally understand the panic issue. It seems like a lot to have done at once, but I feel so good now that I feel it was all worth it. I am...

Hi Bob, I have two St. Jude mechanical valves, Mitral and Aortic and my tricuspid valve is bovine. They are no problem at all. I take coumadin everyday and that's not a problem either. I am 41 and had the surgery 2 yrs ago. I chose the mechanical because I am hoping to skip another OHS in...

Someone just asked me if it's OK to shovel snow with valve replacements or if that only applies to people with stents and/or a history of heart attacks. I am not very clear on that. I thought it applied to anyone that has a heart issue.

Hi Mb, I have mechanical aortic and mitral valves and a bovine tricuspid valve and I feel great. Hopefully they will only have to repair your husband's valve so that the pacemaker can be placed properly. I am 41, that is why they just replaced my valve while they were in there fixing the other...

Length of Surgery Length of Surgery 12 hour surgery deserves bragging rights ChuckVSP I imagine your surgeon and his team were exhausted. I often wonder what it would be like to watch such a procedure for so long:eek: I guess they are right when they say slow and steady wins the race!! I...

Three valve replacement story Three valve replacement story Thanks for the welcome !!! I have always been in very good health and very athletic growing up. I was a skater and gymnast. When I got too old for that stuff I went to the gym and did a little weight training and cardio. (Still go...

Hi everyone, I am new to this site and find it very informative. I wish I knew about it two years ago after my OHS. I am curious to find out if anyone's surgery was 9 hrs long like mine. I had three valves replaced and was also in the hosp. for 9 days. Is this common?

What is INR home testing ? What is INR home testing ? I have been on coumadin for 2 yrs and no one has ever mentioned home testing.