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I understand your concerns. I had my surgery last year and chose a health plan with a high deductible and a Flexible Spending Account. However, after reaching that deductible all costs were covered. So if you can time your surgery and have such an option available to you this could be cost...

Thanks for providing this update. It would be great to hear back over the coming months how things are and how the valve is working for you. I think you are one of the "youngest" patients that received TAVR on this forum - definitely a trend to watch which could change future treatments...

Protimenow - I cannot confirm or dismiss the "pump head" or bypass brain. However, there is in my mind no doubt that the type of surgery that we went through is life altering and something that we will not forget. We all process this differently but I don't think anybody will go back to normal...

Thanks for sharing - I just sent this to my youngest son who will start medical school at the Oregon Health and Science University (where I also had my surgery) this fall.

Bonbet - I hope you will find out very soon after surgery how much better you will feel. I saw that you travel from Oregon to Rochester. I had my surgery 9 months ago at OHSU by a really great surgeon (Jay Raman) with a lot of experience. I got a On-X as well and only had to use heavy pain...

If you buy the meter yourself it is about $550 and you can get 48 test strips for about $170. Other supplies are also fairly inexpensive. This is what I did and it turned out to be the most cost effective solution.

Listening to you it sounds that you are ready - go for it. It has to be done and - based on my experience - you will feel better and will be in top shape again.

I think our heart has a great capability to compensate which is also part of the problem as it damages itself. I did a 30 mile bike ride the day before surgery - and the same ride 6 weeks later post surgery. I did not feel bad before surgery but could tell that I was doing immediately better...

I wish you all the best. The good thing is that you will feel much better in a few weeks time - you might be amazed how much the defective valve has slowed you down.

I use on my Iphone the Medisafe app which works great and always reminds me to take my dose. It also allows to enter a more detailed dose that might change day by day plus I track if I changed my dose after my INR self test. What is probably the greatest feature is that you can choose whether...

Pellice - thank you for your contributions, explanations, data and facts that you are providing to this forum. This in combination with other postings has helped me a lot over that past 9 months since OHS. I am testing my INR at home and have no trouble staying in range - it is really not...

Gustav - thanks. That is good to know. I might now also consider to adopt Aspirin. Juergen

Interesting discussion. I have an On-X since mid-2016 as well but nobody suggested or recommended Aspirin. However, from On-X patients in Europe I learned that this is quite common. So - I am not sure what the right course for the treatment is - I am a little bit worried that Aspirin - even at...

Thanks - I am wearing a FitBit - but I am not so convinced that it would pick up Afib events at all. At least I have a good idea what my heart rate is - lately it is often times below 60 and I feel my valve (it is a mechanical). Have no problems though with any activity. Glad you shared your...

"Afib is interesting, I didn't even know I had it and I found out it is VERY common." How did you find out and what were the symtoms? Thanks - Juli

Hearty - I already had a hunch that you are on a fast track - keep it up. Now you put me to shame being in the office after just two weeks ;-). But: I did my first 30 mile bike ride after 6 weeks post OP - will you beat me here as well? Juergen

Hearty - great to read about your progress. It is truly amazing to experience the advancements in modern medicine and the professionalism of the hospital staff. I am 20 years older than you and had my surgery a little over 6 months ago. Since you started the bragging - I was able to return to...

Gocubs, I have on On-X now for 6 months and based on my experience can only recommend to go for a mechanical valve. You have been through a lot and also have a lot of experience - but I can only assure you that managing the INR - I test at home - is not that difficult. Good luck!

I did a lot of walking like you for 1-2 hours after leaving the hospital and started riding my road bike after 6 weeks (first ride 30 miles) and mountain bike after 8 weeks. I had a partial sternotomy and my sternum was closed with plates. I think that helped with stabilizing the sternum and...

Matty - I had a very similar experience with my mini-sternotomy. Was on pain killers for one day only and then switched to just Tylenol. First half day at work after 10 days, back at work 2.5 weeks post op. Was able to walk for 1-2 hours 6 days post op, back riding my bicycle after 6 weeks...