2nd Surgery coming Up

[palmaceae]

I had my first AVR in March of 2009 and the valve lasted 13 years but I now have severe aortic stenosis and symptomatic. So next week I go in to have it replaced with a mechanical valve. My first valve was a bovine tissue valve which in hindsight was probably the wrong decision, I should have went mechanical. So this time I decided to go the mechanical route so hopefully I won't have to do it again. They suggested a TAVR but since that may last only 10 years I would have to have a SAVR in 10 years to replace it, which would make me 70 years old. I am not in the best physical shape now so I could not imagine doing this in 10 years. So fun times next week but at least I know what to expect!

 

[ValveAdmin]

Wishing you a successful surgery.

 

[Croooser]

Best wishes for a successful surgery and a complete and uneventful recovery.

 

[pellicle]

Hi

sorry to read this ... however:

They suggested a TAVR but since that may last only 10 years

at a younger age we have data suggesting 5 ~ 7 years.

I'd be considering your options unless you feel like doing a 3rd later. A point I've noted here is that many seem to (understandably) panic when they hear about their first. Often they are very concerned about even having OHS in the first place (understandably), but then somehow go in to a surgery with expectations against all the known data with a decision to make a certainty to have a 2nd valve replacement in 10 to 15 years.

People don't usually understand what the second will feel like and what other issues will persist from that (you know, like throat damage, infections, requiring a pacemaker). I've had 3 OHS (starting from 10yo, 28 yo then 48 yo) and so I can say you don't want to be going to 3 let alone 4 (thus it was pretty clear to me to pick a mechanical on my 3rd.

Managing warfarin is overblown and as the data shows, as you are down the track with your tissue valve more than 50% of people then require blood thinners anyway.

make sure you have the informed in the "informed consent" (rather than the fulfilling of confirmation biases).

Best Wishes

 

[palmaceae]

At first, I thought warfarin would be hard to deal with but I am not worried about it. I am just happy that I will be feeling much better after I recover, that is what I am looking forward to.

 

[john b]

I had my first AVR in March of 2009 and the valve lasted 13 years but I now have severe aortic stenosis and symptomatic. So next week I go in to have it replaced with a mechanical valve. My first valve was a bovine tissue valve which in hindsight was probably the wrong decision, I should have went mechanical. So this time I decided to go the mechanical route so hopefully I won't have to do it again. They suggested a TAVR but since that may last only 10 years I would have to have a SAVR in 10 years to replace it, which would make me 70 years old. I am not in the best physical shape now so I could not imagine doing this in 10 years. So fun times next week but at least I know what to expect!

I also had a bovine aortic valve 2009, at age 62 it seems ok at resent,could you say what symptoms you experienced prior to your current situation. Having said that the valves been great lived a normal life!!! John b

 

[palmaceae]

My symptoms are shortness of breath, sometimes extreme. Extreme fatigue, dizziness, and chest pain at times. I just have no energy and do not feel like doing anything. So I am praying the new valve will give me back my energy! My other issue is I have had a chronic intractable migraine for 4 years straight, non-stop. I know this valve will probably not help the migraine but at least I hope to feel better.

 

[ValveAdmin]

My symptoms are shortness of breath, sometimes extreme. Extreme fatigue, dizziness, and chest pain at times. I just have no energy and do not feel like doing anything. So I am praying the new valve will give me back my energy! My other issue is I have had a chronic intractable migraine for 4 years straight, non-stop. I know this valve will probably not help the migraine but at least I hope to feel better.

Prayers and best wishes are coming your way. Hope you'll feel great.

 

[Timmay]

I think you're making the correct decision going mechanical. Just my opinion. Minimizing upcoming open heart surgeries is super important (IMHO) when you're still young. I am now 2 weeks post op from my AVR. I'm 50. I went into surgery in good shape. It wasn't easy. The biggest meat grinder I have ever been through in my life. I never want to do that again if I can help it.

I got a mechanical and firmly believe it was the best choice for me. That said, my cardiologist was pushing me towards the Edwards Resilia Tissue valve. I'm active. It would probably have needed to be replaced when I was 60. AND there is no guarantee that they could do a TAVR ... yet everyone acts as if a TAVR is a given and can always be done. It cannot always be done. And even if TAVR could be done then what? Open heart at 75? No freaking way.

Good luck and God Bless.

 

[palmaceae]

Today was supposed to be my surgery day but..... We get to the hospital at 5:00am, wait until 5:30 to register. We register but the person registering us gets a phone call saying they did not have me on the schedule. Talk about being mad and experiencing just about every other emotion you can think of, I was just beside myself, so was my wife. They paged the surgeon to see why my surgery was cancelled and he calls back and says he does not know. So we had to drive back home and wait until the office opens at 8 to see why it was cancelled. We leave a message and about 9:00 the surgeon calls us and apologizes profusely. He said someone in the OR scheduling screwed up and bumped me for no reason. So going to try it again this coming Monday. I am not happy as I am sure you all know how much preparation you have to go through, especially mentally to go through this process. The funny thing is my first surgery in Chicago back in 2009 was very similar, got ready, did all the prep for my surgery on that Monday, but late Sunday night the surgeon calls and says he is stuck in Boston in a blizzard so will have to postpone the surgery for the next day. Can't believe it happened again!!! But at least we were called the day before unlike this time no one called! So back to waiting again.

 

[Timmay]

Breathe my friend. Breath. Let the stress dissipate and focus on positivity from this point forward.

Oh - if you get a chance to talk to the surgeon again, find out which mech valve they anticipate installing. I have the On-X and it is a bit bulkier than something like the St. Jude's valve. That's important because of "Patient Prosthesis Mismatch". They need to put a reasonably sized valve in you. With me, luckily, my surgeon did an aortic root expansion in order to fit a 23mm On-X. And I'm a small guy at 5' 9-1/2" and 165lbs

 

[Deepak khanka]

Breathe my friend. Breath. Let the stress dissipate and focus on positivity from this point forward.

Oh - if you get a chance to talk to the surgeon again, find out which mech valve they anticipate installing. I have the On-X and it is a bit bulkier than something like the St. Jude's valve. That's important because of "Patient Prosthesis Mismatch". They need to put a reasonably sized valve in you. With me, luckily, my surgeon did an aortic root expansion in order to fit a 23mm On-X. And I'm a small guy at 5' 9-1/2" and 165lbs

Hi Timmay
I have got a 21mm On-x I am 5.8 and 75 kg is this is a ok size of valve. What information you have regarding valve size and how does it affect the durability
This time around was my second surgery and I suppose root expansion was abit difficult due the complexity following my first surgery

 

[Timmay]

Hi Timmay
I have got a 21mm On-x I am 5.8 and 75 kg is this is a ok size of valve. What information you have regarding valve size and how does it affect the durability
This time around was my second surgery and I suppose root expansion was abit difficult due the complexity following my first surgery

I'm looking for recommendations that are super easy to understand but can't find any. It seems as though it depends on your internal morphology prior to the surgery with a determination of your area/flow prior to the major stenosis.

That said, I still even question my 23mm size. There are quite a few people with size/weight similar to me that have 25mm+ valves.

Tim

 

[user 15848]

>> That said, I still even question my 23mm size. There are quite a few people with size/weight similar to me that have 25mm+ valves.
Tim
[/QUOTE]

My OnX is also 21, and i was 200 pounds at surgery time, now around 190 pounds, so far so good, but i have not seen a cardiologist since the "Virus" arrived....

 

[Deepak khanka]

I'm looking for recommendations that are super easy to understand but can't find any. It seems as though it depends on your internal morphology prior to the surgery with a determination of your area/flow prior to the major stenosis.
Thanks Tim
That said, I still even question my 23mm size. There are quite a few people with size/weight similar to me that have 25mm+ valves.

Tim

 

[carolinemc]

>> That said, I still even question my 23mm size. There are quite a few people with size/weight similar to me that have 25mm+ valves.
Tim

My OnX is also 21, and i was 200 pounds at surgery time, now around 190 pounds, so far so good, but i have not seen a cardiologist since the "Virus" arrived....
[/QUOTE]
You need to be seen on a regular basis to keep up with your condition. Not good to ignore heart health. You need to go every 6 months to a years. Please see about going to a cardio soon for at least a checkup.

 

[user 15848]

You need to be seen on a regular basis to keep up with your condition. Not good to ignore heart health. You need to go every 6 months to a years. Please see about going to a cardio soon for at least a checkup.
[/QUOTE]

Probably a good idea, but here, since the VIRUS-x arrived Cardiologist do not see patients, only phone calls, as per yesterday it seem institutions will start to ignore the presence of the VIRUS and everything is moving on that direction, so , will see a Cardiologist as soon as they start working as before the VIRUS

 

[DebraB]

Today was supposed to be my surgery day but..... We get to the hospital at 5:00am, wait until 5:30 to register. We register but the person registering us gets a phone call saying they did not have me on the schedule. Talk about being mad and experiencing just about every other emotion you can think of, I was just beside myself, so was my wife. They paged the surgeon to see why my surgery was cancelled and he calls back and says he does not know. So we had to drive back home and wait until the office opens at 8 to see why it was cancelled. We leave a message and about 9:00 the surgeon calls us and apologizes profusely. He said someone in the OR scheduling screwed up and bumped me for no reason. So going to try it again this coming Monday. I am not happy as I am sure you all know how much preparation you have to go through, especially mentally to go through this process. The funny thing is my first surgery in Chicago back in 2009 was very similar, got ready, did all the prep for my surgery on that Monday, but late Sunday night the surgeon calls and says he is stuck in Boston in a blizzard so will have to postpone the surgery for the next day. Can't believe it happened again!!! But at least we were called the day before unlike this time no one called! So back to waiting again.

I had my valve replaced on May 27th.
First I was scheduled for May 3rd but insurance hadn't approved one test yet.
Rescheduled for May 23rd. That was postponed due to the surgeon having a lot of emergency surgeries that day.
Next up was May 24th. Nope, surgeon had personal issue and told me it was ok to have his associate do the surgery.
Had to do pre testing again, covid test again and meet new surgeon.
Finally was scheduled for May 27th.
And I wonder why I am not feeling so good mentally
I have to remind myself that this surgery is a lot on the body and mind.
Hoping for the best for all of us!

 

[Timmay]

…
I have to remind myself that this surgery is a lot on the body and mind.
…

I had mine replaced on May 25th. Your comment above, I vote as understatement of the year. Lol.

No matter how much you think you know, no matter how much you’ve researched, and no matter how many people you’ve talked to … OHS with full sternotomy is pretty darn tough.

Lotsa love to everyone who is still pushing through! It gets a little better every week.

Tim

 

[Deepak khanka]

The nurses started shaving my legs and had completed both my legs when the surgeon came and told me that the surgery would need to be cancelled. There is a women who would drop dead if he didn’t operate on her. But I was pleased that I got to meet my surgeon again and discuss the plan of action . Confirm the valve choice etc. And I just laughed and went back to work for a week and finally had my surgery on the 22nd April . There is nothing I could do so just didn’t bother myself. Take it easy.