Hi Everyone!
I had my six month post op appt with my cardio yesterday. Everything seemed to go just fine. He told me everything sounds just like it should and he hears nothing that would indicate a problem. He doesn't want to see me for a year. I asked him about exercising because ever since the surgery, I have had a hard time getting back into shape (my confidence). I keep thinking something may still be wrong in there and something may happen if I start working out again. My cardio told me that since they don't know exactly what caused my dissection, that I should be careful and not do too much. That includes heavy weight lifting, running in races etc...where you really push your body. He told me that I could do normal cardiovascular exercise. I just need to be careful and not over do. Listen to my body. This is all just a precaution because they don't know if there is a connective tissue disorder or if it was just one of those flukey things that happened. He seems to think it is just one of those flukey things that happens. He also told me that extreme weight lifting etc...isn't good for anyones heart, whether you have had a problem or not. He kept telling me that there was nothing there to indicate to him that there would ever be a problem, but he is just being extremely cautious. He said that in about ten years or so they will probably have some tests that can be done to determine whether there is a connective tissue disorder. Well, I have to go pick up my little girl at preschool. Talk to you all later.
Take Care!
Gail
I had my six month post op appt with my cardio yesterday. Everything seemed to go just fine. He told me everything sounds just like it should and he hears nothing that would indicate a problem. He doesn't want to see me for a year. I asked him about exercising because ever since the surgery, I have had a hard time getting back into shape (my confidence). I keep thinking something may still be wrong in there and something may happen if I start working out again. My cardio told me that since they don't know exactly what caused my dissection, that I should be careful and not do too much. That includes heavy weight lifting, running in races etc...where you really push your body. He told me that I could do normal cardiovascular exercise. I just need to be careful and not over do. Listen to my body. This is all just a precaution because they don't know if there is a connective tissue disorder or if it was just one of those flukey things that happened. He seems to think it is just one of those flukey things that happens. He also told me that extreme weight lifting etc...isn't good for anyones heart, whether you have had a problem or not. He kept telling me that there was nothing there to indicate to him that there would ever be a problem, but he is just being extremely cautious. He said that in about ten years or so they will probably have some tests that can be done to determine whether there is a connective tissue disorder. Well, I have to go pick up my little girl at preschool. Talk to you all later.
Take Care!
Gail
I guess I'll see how things go and if I continue to be a little hesitant about it, maybe I can talk to my cardio about writing something to the insurance company. It can't hurt to try. Regarding the pulse monitor, no, I don't have one, but it sounds like a really good thing to have. I'll check into it. Thanks! 
