A week ago today Aortic valve replaced

[jessemac]

Well I got a bovine pericardial valve to replace the one that wasn't working. I was worried. I'm 60 and the surgeon offered me the choice between pig and mechanical. It took my own research to come up with this one and now the surgeon is thrilled with it. Says it's nice and large opening. Why didn't he offer this one as a choice? My blood pressure is high after years of being low will it return to normal in time? Is it from the trauma of the surgery? I'm real sore and afraid of the pain killers and tire easily. Any advice?

 

[BAVD John]

Don't forget that your heart just went through the trauma of surgery. It will take some time for your heart to mend itself. I'm taking 250 mg a day of lowpressor to control my blood pressure and heart rate. I am 3 weeks post op myself. Fortunately I didn't have much pain once I got home. I'm only taking the pain meds at bed time. Why are you afraid to take the pain meds? I actually tired easily before surgery and already notice that I don't tire as fast as I did before surgery, but then again I'm not doing much during my recovery. Hang in there, with time you should start to feel better. I feel much better today than I did a week ago.

 

[njean]

Wow, a week ago today & you're already posting! That is fantastic!

Give your heart some time to heal --- you've been thru one big ordeal so don't get discouraged if you feel fatigued & weak still. You will regain your strength little by little. Everyone's recovery time is different. Some bounce back within a short time, while others take months even up to a year or more! It took me a year & 1/2 to start feeling human after my last surgery.

Your blood pressure should improve over time as your heart mends. As for the soreness, that too will start minimizing as time goes by. If you were sent home with pain killers perhaps you can take one at night so that you can get a restful sleep & then grin & bear it thruout the day.

Take care & take it easy. You've survived the worst of it already; things will get better!

 

[Eva]

Congratulations on good surgery. Do not worry about tiring easily...it is VERY NORMAL! In my humble opinion, I would encourage you to take the pain killers if you need them! As for blood pressure, it will normalise...mine went way up after surgery.

Take it easy, rest as much as you can, walk daily, and eat healthy, and be patient with yourself.

 

[DebbyA]

Welcome to the forums! Everything you describe sounds normal, and will improve. I was 60 when I had my surgery, too. The first couple of weeks, breakfast and a shower wore me out. Don't be afraid of your pain killers--they will help you move around more easily. I'm convinced some of my soreness was hunching to protect my incision, and it improved when I stopped clutching the pillow to walk around.

Keep us posted on how you're doing.

 

[Cooker]

Welcome to the zoo ... It will take time for things to get settled down ... your body has been through a lot

 

[skeptic49]

Congratulations on your successful surgery! Sounds like your surgeon is really pleased with the outcome. Give yourself some time to heal and take it easy.

Best wishes,

Jim