after your aortic valve was replaced

[HarleyM]

In the months after replacement, how do you feel compared to before? How has your heart changed after AVR? Do you now feel that you were symptomatic before AVR? Are you very active after AVR? It looks as if a mechanical valve will suit me best because of my age, 35, but not too sure yet because of my activity level and type of work I do(flooring textile industry). I'm sorry for all the questions but AVR is coming soon for me(4/26/06) and I'm trying to make good decisions.

Thanks.

 

[SusanC54]

Hi Harley,

I just read your post and will be thinking about you and wishing you the best. I'm having mitral and aortic replacement on 4/25. I'm going with mechanical because of my age (54).

I can't yet answer your questions about how a person feels after surgery, but I do have a few thoughts on being "asymptomatic". I have thought for a long time that I was in this asymptomatic state, attributing my tiredness, fatigue and occasional shortness of breath to age and lack of conditioning, but I'm really beginning to think that I definitely have some symptoms that have developed so slowly and gradually that I have come to accept them as my so-called normal life. I have had a few instances when I was really out of breath and it took several minutes to regain it, usually when I've climbed a lot of stairs or hiked uphill.

I guess I won't know for sure if how I feel now is what I can expect or if my stamina will increase. Probably won't know for at least 6 months to a year. Maybe we can compare notes a few months down the road!

I don't know about you, but I've been rushing around trying to get all kinds of things done before surgery, such as yard work, painting, house-cleaning, etc. just because I must have a little compulsive component to my personality. I definitely have noticed the fatigue! I think it's time to slow down and enjoy life for the next two weeks! Good luck and I'll be looking for more posts from you.

Susan

 

[HarleyM]

Thanks Susan, I too have found myself trying to catch things up around the house. Tonight I'm off for the rest of the week Turkey hunting with my father and grandfather. Trying to spend some quality time together before surgery. Weird as it seems, I am okay with surgery and quite calm with it. My wife is doing the worrying for me. LOL Now that I'm past the facts that I must have surgery, Just trying to get as much info on what to expect after.

I'll be checking in often to see how your surgery goes as well. I wish you the best and a speedy recovery.

Harley

 

[rbl1999]

Hi Harley, first of all good luck with your upcoming surgery. I am 8 months post op aorta valve replacement and am feeling good, still tire easily but I do feel a lot better than before the surgery. I think it happens so slowly that we do not realize how sick we are. I am now exercising a lot and do not have the lightheadedness and shortness of breath that I had before. I just overall feel a lot better.. Rose

 

[Rivet]

Hello,
I am the same age (35) and just had a mechanical aortic valve replacement.

 

[Dennis S]

Feeling Good

Feeling Good

I am 59 years old, and had my aorta valve replaced in early August. The surgery was a bear for me, and I hope (and expect) that I will never have to do that again. BUT wow, how great it is to have a working Aorta valve. I was pretty active (100 mile/day bike habit) and about 5 years ago just couldn't kep up anymore. I thought I was slowing from age, and knew I was getting heavy as I quit significant exercise.

I feel like that new Aorta valve has moved the clock back at least 5 years. I am losing the weight I added, and look forward to moderate exercise. It has been a long time since I last had the experience of improving my fitness level instead of sliding downhill. I only wish I had done the surgery sooner.

 

[HarleyM]

decisions decisions decisions/ On-X

decisions decisions decisions/ On-X

I just got a call from my surgeon regarding the on-x valve. I am approved to receive one should I decide so. He also told me that trials are trials but at this point they look pretty good. This only creates more questions. Thanks for listening and I would appreciate all of your opinions. I hope that my questions can also be of benefit to others waiting AVR?

 

[KAJ]

Harley,

My AVR was just over a hear ago at age 47. Changes before my AVR were very gradual. I was however tired and could not stand up for long periods of time in 1 spot when singing in church or standing in a long line somewhere. Routiine yard working was tiring. I would have to stop several times. My wife probably noticed more of a difference than I did.After a while, I thougth all of this was normal. Now, I feel "great". My energy level is much higher, my wife tells me my breathing is not labored (she notices these things since she is a RN). I have often heard it said that you never really know how bad you felt until some time after the surgery. Please keep us posted.

Karl

 

[Cooker]

I Feel Better!!

I Feel Better!!

I am only 2 months post-op and had a few bumps in my recovery but when started to improve (rapidly) I could tell that I felt better than before my AVR (mechanical). I seem to have more energy and I seem to be sleeping better also.

My diet seems to have more to do with the way I feel than my activity level.
I have been eating more fruits and grains and I notice that when I over eat or eat heavy foods it realy knocks me down. I guess my diet change has been a byproduct of my AVR.....trying to be nicer to myself . I finally got completely off caffiene and I think that has made me feel better also.

Best of luck. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Happy Easter!!!!!!

 

[Rush20]

The only symptom I had looking back at it was that I was always tired. I didn't realize it at the time as I had a lot going on and just thought I wasn't getting enough sleep. I would wake up in the morning feeling like a Zombie as though I didn't get any sleep.

The first thing I noticed post op was that I would sit down to watch a ballgame without dozing off. Plus, the six week mandatory rehab helped me get my strength and endurance back.

I'm 43 and had my surgery close to 3 years ago and also have a mechanical valve.

Quite honestly, my surgery was a shock and with the exception of the above mentioned fatigue, I haven't noticed any other changes.

Even with the minimally invasive procedure, there are times my sternum still hurts when I reach or stretch in an awkward way. A couple weeks ago, I reached behind the passenger seat in my car and I felt sharp pains in the sternum. I guess I will always have these subtle reminders of what I went through...

 

[Natanni]

Hi Harley

My husband is 34 and had his valve replaced in Sept. He has a physically demanding job, with repetative heavy lifting up to 100 lbs, and went back to work January 4. He was pretty darn tired for the first 2 months. I felt bad, talking to him one day after he had just hauled 4 50 lb bags of dog food to someones house...we was very winded. Sometime in Feb or March, things started to turn around. He literally came home from work and said, "Hmmm....didn't really get winded at all today" Now, when we go on walks together---7 months post op----he leaves me in the dust, huffin' and puffin'

He leads a very active life, and nothing has changed as far as his activites since having AVR, or considering he has a mechanical valve. I worry more, but I am kind of a chronic worrier.

Ann

 

[aussigal]

Hi Harley...

I get my new valve this week...

I didnt really get to chose but was told the St Judes would be what I would receive and I also have an aneurysm which is the more pressing-problem they are fixing me up for. I trust my Cardio and Surgeon with my life which is why I am happy to let them make the choice...after all my other research I did , I couldnt be bothered trying to figure out if the valve they chose was the right one for me.

I will be sending good wishes your way from hospital for the 26th...

Gees April has been a busy month for new valves...and a good month of sucesses.
God Bless

 

[Randy & Robyn]

Harley,

I had my On-X implanted eight weeks ago and I'm feeling great. Of course, I am one of the few who felt good before my surgery as well. But I am just beginning to notice telltale signs that I might have been a bit more symptomatic than I had thought. Multiple flights of stairs don't leave me winded and my aerobic capacity is increasing rapidly.

All of the current mechanical valves are excellent choices that can possibly last a lifetime. I pushed for the On-X for myself because I have hope that the lowered anticoagulation trials will work out. However, at this point, I have had no problems with the coumadin and would likely not even bother switching to Plavix if the trial succeeds. Why tempt fate and change what is working just fine?

Randy

 

[OldManEmu]

I feel great

I feel great

I had Endocarditis for many months before it was discovered. After it was treated I waited 4 months till surgery. I collapsed in class 4 heart failure in the weeks before surgery it was so bad surgery had to be delayed 1 week. I didn't have any other health issues other than the valve. The change after surgery was amazing. In the last few days, 6 weeks after surgery I did all the work in the garden I was incapable of doing in the previous year. I even lopped several trees. I couldn't believe what a difference it made. I chose a tissue valve after it was determined I was in to bad a condition to receive the Ross that was planned.

 

[carista]

Hi Harley,

I definately noticed a change in how I felt after surgery. I don't think it was really noticable for me until about 3 months after (I'm only 4 months post-op now) but the main change was no more fatigue! I sometimes wondered if the fatigue was in my head or because I wasn't eating right, sleeping well, etc. But now I KNOW it wasn't in my head. I wake up now and actually feel refreshed! Other than that the only symptoms I had before surgery was palpitations and shortness of breath. Hardly ever have palpitations anymore and I can sing in the car without getting short of breath now (not sure if that's good thing or not....)

Carista

 

[john New Zealand]

I had a st jude vr done 4 months ago. Im now feeling much better than before. I have been exercising (bike riding etc) and i have much more stamina than before

 

[BDMc]

Thought I had Mono

Thought I had Mono

before the surgery. That's how they found the bad valve, and aneurysm. My heart had doubled in size by the time I had my surgery, but a year later was back to normal! Three months post op I felt as good as I ever have, running regularly, and even downhill skiing! Going on 22 years later I'm quite out of shape, but still active. Wishing all you soon to be vavers a smooth surgery, and speedy recovery. Brian PS: Tonia, Thursday is my birthday, so I'll be sure to think of you, and send some positive thoughts your way!

 

[RossGurlie]

I had AVR at 13

I had AVR at 13

My surgeon went with the Ross. I think it's the best because I ran 20 minutes in P.E. my first week back at school (5 weeks post-op) with no problem. So, if you're active and all, this is good. Also, I'm now on NO medications!! WOOHOO! So, I think the Ross is a pretty good choice!