2nd AVR with full root this time on May 7th

[clfhangr]

Hi all,
I am scheduled for my 2nd AVR on May 7th. My last surgery was 7 years ago and all went well with that one. I had a mechanical valve put in last time. Have had a few minor issues with inr therapy. I had a kidney transplant 14 years ago and inr and renal failure kind of mess with each other at certain times.

They found an ascending aortic aneurysm at a size of 4.9 at my yearly echo on April 9th and it is causing leakage across my valve as it is right at the root. I went and saw my surgeon and he and I came to the conclusion to fix this now instead of waiting for something to happen that could compromise my recovery.

I would like to hear from all you re do customers out there and your experiences.
Did you have any complications associated with the suregery being your second one?
Did it go smoother since you knew what to expect?

I know this time knowing what to expect has taken a huge amount of anxiety away. That doesn't mean I am not scared as with other underlying issues it always makes it more complicated.

I am going to have a full bio root put in this time to get away from coumadin. With my under lying renal issues and transplant I think it may make my life a little easier. Any thoughts on this??


Thanks all,
Keith :thumbup:

 

[AgilityDog]

I was better off knowing what to expect. I was also worse off, knowing what to expect. I was so ill the first round, that I was very frightened about the second surgery, despite being in better physical condition. My husband and co-workers insisted I get some anti-anxiety meds this round, and that helped a lot with the pre-surgery stress.
My second surgery was easier all the way around - except for the damn drainage tubes again. I'm one of the ones who has lots of pain from the drainage tubes. Not everyone does, apparently.

 

[Bryan B]

I was like Laurie. I told people "the good news is that I know what to expect, the bad news is that I know what to expect". I was somewhat symptomatic before my first surgery but there was no rush to do the surgery (surgeon said within 6 months). Before the second surgery I had no symptoms but my ascending aortic root / ascending aorta was dilated to 5.2cm / 5.8cm and the surgery was a rush job (3 weeks after consult with surgeon). When he did the surgery the numbers were actually 5.4cm / 6.0cm. Having said that, I was a bit less nervous the second time around and I found the recovery process somewhat easier just from having been through it before. Good luck with your upcoming surgery and I hope this helped. OHS is never easy but overall I found the second surgery easier to "deal with".

 

[neil]

hi keith cant help you with the re op info,as only on my first, but as been said above you will do just fine,

 

[Sarah_Louise]

Hi Keith,
I'm waiting for my 6th lot of heart surgery,
My 2nd OHS was by far the easiest!and was a pulmonary valve repacement & condut replacement
I was admitted on the Sunday, had OHS on monday, in PICU over night, back on the ward by Tuesday dinner time and when physio came looking for me on the Wednesday i was in the playroom (was 8 at the time ) and discharged home by the Saturday
My 2nd AVR was also the easiest, granted at the time it was emergancy OHS but if i didn't have the complications i had i would have only been in a week, my valve was changed from a mechnical to a tissue, as i had lots of problems with blood clots,
Good luck for next month
If i can help just ask!
Love Sarah xxx

 

[clfhangr]

Thanks Sarah for all the info.
So it is official and I am on the schedule for May 7th.
It has been confirmed by the ct that the aneurysm is 4.9 and I will be getting a total aortic root with a new valve and I have chosen to go with a bio this time to get away from my inr issues and clotting that are associated with my renal transplant.
I go in May 1st for a Heart cath for a base line and to see if there is anything else lurking that may need to be fixed.
My PreOp appointment is May 3rd with my surgeon so all final decisions will be made then.
The rest of the week will be spent with my family and playing with my kids . I will head to the hospital on evening of Sunday May 6th.
The difference with this surgery is I made a choice and my cardiologist and surgeon agreed with me to go in early and get it fixed while I am healthy and strong unlike last time when they found it and I was in congestive heart failure.
I am looking forward to a good recovery, but only the Good Lord knows what is in store at this time. I have faith I will bounce back as usual.

Thanks again to everyone and your support

 

[clfhangr]

Sarah the other thing I have to say is holy buckets you have gone through the ringer with your heart.
I can relate to a point with all my kidney issues and transplant and then a valve replacement a stroke and now the next OHS.
Not everyone can say they have had a filter change and valve job LOL.
Take care
and lots of love
Keith

 

[Greg a]

Hi all,
I am scheduled for my 2nd AVR on May 7th. My last surgery was 7 years ago and all went well with that one. I had a mechanical valve put in last time. Have had a few minor issues with inr therapy. I had a kidney transplant 14 years ago and inr and renal failure kind of mess with each other at certain times.

They found an ascending aortic aneurysm at a size of 4.9 at my yearly echo on April 9th and it is causing leakage across my valve as it is right at the root. I went and saw my surgeon and he and I came to the conclusion to fix this now instead of waiting for something to happen that could compromise my recovery.

I would like to hear from all you re do customers out there and your experiences.
Did you have any complications associated with the suregery being your second one?
Did it go smoother since you knew what to expect?

I know this time knowing what to expect has taken a huge amount of anxiety away. That doesn't mean I am not scared as with other underlying issues it always makes it more complicated.

I am going to have a full bio root put in this time to get away from coumadin. With my under lying renal issues and transplant I think it may make my life a little easier. Any thoughts on this??


Thanks all,
Keith :thumbup:

I hear you ..from one messed up body to another WELCOME to our OHS family ......marking you on the community calendar

 

[clfhangr]

Good news all, heart cath was done this morning and there is no cardiovascular disease, my cardiologist said he wish he had my arteries.
I have been leaning toward a bio root and valve but he said that with the absence of any cardiovascular disease at age 46, that if I went with a mechanical and man made root this may well be my last ohs. Now that is something to look forward to. I see my surgeon tomorrow to make this decision. I had multiple issues with my inr and kicked a clot 4 years ago and had a TIA so that is my only reason for going bio.
Got to love these decisions. May 7th is still the day. get er done.

 

[TheGymGuy]

This is great news. A very last OHS always sounds great. I would not want to do it again.

 

[clfhangr]

Well after a long care conference with both my surgeon and kidney specialist attending I have decided to go with the mechanical route once again. The reason being if it helps someone else out in the future are these.
1. 40 to 60 minutes less time on the pump. This is a big issue with a kidney transplant. And according to my surgeon it is easier to stitch the mechanical in.
2. Longevity of the valve and structure.
3. Chance of not doing this again in my life time since the problem area will be fully replaced and there is absolutely no coronary artery disease at this time at age 46. That will be up to me to keep that one from happening.
4. And the possibility of new anti coagulation medications may be hitting the market for the aortic valve replacement population soon. (Pradaxa Not a for sure thing)

So there it is it will now be mechanical for me on Monday May 7th.

 

[Greg~]

Keith,
Great post! You and your family are in our prayers. Please let us know how things turnout.

 

[Roberta]

Keith,
So glad you have a plan in place and have a decision made.

Will be sending tons of positive thoughts and of course prayers for successful surgery and smooth recovery on your day.

Best wishes~!:thumbup:

 

[Buffy41]

We'll all be thinking about you. Enjoy your next few days with your family.

 

[Bryan B]

Keith,

Good luck on Monday, will be thinking about you!

 

[AmandaPS]

Good luck on Monday, Keith. I'll be sending positive vibes.

 

[AmandaPS]

Hope all went well today. Thinking of you from our ICU.

 

[Mpluso]

Hi Keith, hope everything went well for you today!

 

[TheGymGuy]

We were thinking about ya today. Not sure if your significant other will post or if you will post yourself in next several days, but hope everything went perfectly for, hopefully, last OHS