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I’m so sorry for your loss. I lost my mom 3 weeks ago suddenly at age 70. The surgeries were a piece of cake compared to how difficult this has been. I hope you’re able to take the time you need to grieve and hopefully find some peace. Best wishes to you and your family.

Congrats ****!! Cheers to another year. I’m 9 weeks today so I’ve got a ways to go to catch you.

Thanks! I will take you up on that.

I got a St. Jude mechanical valve. It was the valve my surgeon typically uses and it has a long track record so I was comfortable with that. Others here can speak more intelligently about the different mechanical valves but it is my understanding that the ones on the market today are all very...

Welcome! And also sorry to hear that you are needing surgery. I also had a BAV and had it replaced at 31. I chose tissue at that point because I wanted to avoid blood thinners, but that valve only lasted 8 years and I had it replaced 5 weeks ago at age 39 (turned 40 two weeks after surgery). I...

I was an avid runner prior to my first aortic valve replacement at age 31, running 5:50 minute miles in a half marathon and 6:25 miles in a marathon a few months before I found out I needed surgery. I gave up racing after surgery but still never got anywhere close to those times again. Really I...

Thanks! I am doing well at two weeks post op, mainly just tired and still a little sore at this point. I have been walking a few times a day and my wife took me out to lunch yesterday for my birthday while the grandparents watched the baby. I know I’ve still got a ways to go but recovery seems...

Did they keep you on any medication after discharge for the afib? I am on 200 mg of amiodarone for 30 days but fortunately haven’t had any episodes since the one. I’m hoping it was just a one time thing.

Second this. Undesirable outcomes can and do occur of course but good heart programs really do have a solution for just about anything that comes up. Some of my neighbors this week were 80+ years old, so literally double my age. I’m sure their recovery will take longer but from what I could see...

Just another quick update. Still in the hospital waiting for my INR to get to where it needs to be. I feel good and just taking Tylenol for pain/soreness. Recovery has been smooth except for an episode of afib Sunday night. I had never experienced something like that before so it was quite scary...

Surgery was a success and so far so good in recovery. I will post more as I get some energy back. Thank you for all the well wishes!!

Tomorrow’s the big day, getting my bovine valve replaced with a new mechanical valve and (likely) mechanical conduit. I appreciate all of the responses and helpful information along the way. **** was gracious enough to meet me for coffee several weeks back since we are in the same city and he...

Great to hear! Hopefully the complications get worked out and you get to go home soon.

Congrats!! I hope you were able to enjoy it and many more years to come. I remember going for a run on my 1 year anniversary as well. I was actually in the Bahamas on a work trip at the time so it was perfect scenery for a 1 year anniversary run. I remember being on the run and thinking how...

Best wishes on a smooth operation and recovery. Be sure to keep us posted on your progress.

Well, so much for the "watchful waiting". Surgery is scheduled for June 16th. Not looking forward to the operation and immediate aftermath, but definitely looking forward to getting it behind me.

Button up shirts were key for me for the first few weeks. T-shirts were difficult to get on and off with limited arm movement. Also a wedge pillow may be helpful to sleep propped up in bed. For me laying flat on my back was too uncomfortable and I couldn’t sleep in a recliner. I would recommend...

Welcome! Sorry to hear you have to go through another operation but it sounds like you will be in good hands. We are close in age and I am in a similar boat looking at a second operation in a few months. Also similar to you, dynamics have changed since my first operation both in terms of...

Just a follow up. I met with the surgeon a few weeks ago and there was some discrepancy with the pressure gradient numbers between my most recent echo and TEE, so he ordered a cath diagnostic test to get the most accurate reading. The cath test came back with a mean pressure gradient of around...