After your surgery, what are some of the things that you found out that surprised you

[JohnStone]

Practice some simple hand signals with your spouse/caregiver before surgery. I was surprised how long my husband was awake with the breathing tube (and unable to verbally communicate). We had the “OK” & thumbs up/down, but that was it. Writing was out, as his arms were somewhat restrained to prevent him from messing with the tube. It was very frustrating for him to try and communicate his needs.

 

[Yankeeman2]

Probably the main thing that surprised me was that my life didn't really change that much. (I had artificial aortic valve installed about 15 years ago at Brigham and Women's in Boston.) There were some minor changes in diet and had to take warfarin daily and self test once a week. No big deal. Everybody seems to think the valve makes a noise, but I never really heard anything. I don't even set off metal detectors.

 

[pellicle]

I don't even set off metal detectors.

its likely you don't have any metal in your valve (if you have a St Jude bileaflet its pyrolytic carbon) mine hardly shows on X-Rays (indeed the impregnate the carbon ceramic with material to allow it to show).

Keep on Tickin

 

[CindyBain]

Practice some simple hand signals with your spouse/caregiver before surgery. I was surprised how long my husband was awake with the breathing tube (and unable to verbally communicate). We had the “OK” & thumbs up/down, but that was it. Writing was out, as his arms were somewhat restrained to prevent him from messing with the tube. It was very frustrating for him to try and communicate his needs.

Great idea!! This reminded me... my husband and I have signals, one hand squeeze for no, 2 for yes, and 3 for I love you. He said when I was first in ICU and before I was fully awake, he said I love you to me and I squeezed my eyes tight 3 times!! I still smile when I think of this. I have no recollection of it at all.

 

[Deepak khanka]

Hi All
Need advise / any one has experianced this
8 months post AVR. Now have an On-x valve. I did my echo in July 2022 , 3 months post surgery and by LVEF was 53% . Recent echo done on 01/12/22 showed EF 40-45%. Wondering why ef is going down.
Any advise will be much appreciated. thanks

 

[Dodgy Ticker]

For me, two surprises..
1. I was STILL alive, and
2. My Emotions. Since my surgery, despite being a somewhat bullish and boorish 60 year old, I tear-up at the slightest twinkle. Apparently this is a known side-effect, and in truth its not an issue, but it can get a bit frustrating at times

 

[Uni&Suki]

Hi All
Need advise / any one has experianced this
8 months post AVR. Now have an On-x valve. I did my echo in July 2022 , 3 months post surgery and by LVEF was 53% . Recent echo done on 01/12/22 showed EF 40-45%. Wondering why ef is going down.
Any advise will be much appreciated. thanks

Hi,
This sounds disturbing! I can tell you that Echo (cardiac ultrasound) is a very operator dependant procedure, which means it depends on the person doing the echo, and maybe the machine itself! I would not panic that much especially if you don't have symptoms and request your doctor to repeat the echo in 6-12 months.
Good luck

 

[Deepak khanka]

Hi,
This sounds disturbing! I can tell you that Echo (cardiac ultrasound) is a very operator dependant procedure, which means it depends on the person doing the echo, and maybe the machine itself! I would not panic that much especially if you don't have symptoms and request your doctor to repeat the echo in 6-12 months.
Good luck

Hi A
Many Thanks this really helps. No symptoms by gods grace.
I will repeat echo in 6 months

 

[ashadds]

Hi A
Many Thanks this really helps. No symptoms by gods grace.
I will repeat echo in 6 months

what was you pre surgrey ef ?

 

[Deepak khanka]

what was you pre surgrey ef ?

55%

 

[tom in MO]

For me, two surprises..
1. I was STILL alive, and
2. My Emotions. Since my surgery, despite being a somewhat bullish and boorish 60 year old, I tear-up at the slightest twinkle. Apparently this is a known side-effect, and in truth its not an issue, but it can get a bit frustrating at times

I had the same problem with emotions. It can get you in trouble at work, you get too emotional over things others don't care about. Be careful at weddings and funerals. For me it's subsided but lasted just not as strong.

 

[chebag]

I had the same problem with emotions. It can get you in trouble at work, you get too emotional over things others don't care about. Be careful at weddings and funerals. For me it's subsided but lasted just not as strong.

I had this experience too, 100%. Depression and PTSD-like symptoms are not uncommon after heart surgery and are well-documented in the literature.

I think we all have to contend with the fear of getting opened up again, or of having another heart issue. Talking to somebody about it or coming to a forum like this is a great remedy though. I feel lucky to have it.

 

[Cici]

I was suprised

I was suprised

- I didn't remember a thing between going to sleep the night before my second op and waking up 2 days later back in the cardiac ward.
- To hear about the dramas that went on while I was in ICU. I had to be taken back and opened up again to fix a big bleed. Quite glad I don't remember it.
-At how annoyed I got at people telling me how much better I was looking 3 and 4 days post op when I felt so bad there were times I wished I didn't make it.
-At how absolutely professional all the care I got was, in our often criticised public health system.
-At how well my employer looked after me. They gave me as much leave as I needed on full pay. Blew me away!

I had to be taken back in again, too. I had cardiac arrest in icu. First one was a mini, 2nd one was a full Sternotomy. Got the massage and shocks before second avr.
I remember very little of pre- surgery or icu. …
Made it to step down, sent home and returned with Heparin induced thrombocytopenia presenting with transient global amnesia.
2 1/2 years out and all is well.
Reading my charts, I was surprised after the mini first surgery, they had to paddle me 3 times to restart. An ominous beginning.
High praise to my surgical and nursing staff who could handle issues when things went south.

 

[Cici]

A lot of memories here and also a lot of lacking memories due to medication and post op Trasient Global Amnesia…from my records it appears I had to be jumpstarted 3 times after 1st surgery of the day (a mini avr)
Then I had cardiac arrest in icu, with chest massage and 3 shocks, then they had to handpick thrombus out of my left ventricle, then a full Sternotomy avr. Sent home after a few days. Returned with Heparin induced thrombocytopenia. Platelets at 60,000. I presented with memory loss (What happened to my chest?)
Then ivs to reverse that, then sent home.
I remember much of the pain and procedures you all speak of. I have quite a few memory lapses either due to medicine or the TGAs.
Two things I remember well is the moment I realized I could put my undies back on and when I was speaking to my surgeon, apologizing for messing up his numbers- since that is one of the criteria’s I chose him for. (He is also affiliated with The Cleveland Clinic)
After I apologized he said, don’t apologize, it’s all about survival. He was very caring during my experience. The hemotologist said I should buy lottery tickets since I was going home whole and well. He had never seen anyone walk away with HITII and no long term issues or death. 2 1/2 years out I am doing great. 64 yo and now swim 4 days a week.
This all happened in Sept 2020. My other special memory was getting my first Covid vaccine JAN 2021. I absolutely bawled like a baby from relief and emotional cleanse. First time I cried since the surgery.

 

[Kmac]

I’ve always been sooo thirsty in ICU and we only get ice chips. Then, I couldn’t have too much ice so was given a gauzy lemon tasting thing to suck on. Yumm.
My 3rd surgery I awoke feeling like I could walk the halls. I’ve always been amazed when I wake up that it’s over and I’m alive! It never seems long but my last surgery I was out for 12 hours.

They held me three weeks before valve replacement to get everything where they wanted it. The dehydration was the worst part. Restricted to 1,000ml per day was torture. Having my tounge glued to the roof of my mouth, and how it began to consumed my thoughts. I would have drank/drink from the hospital bathroom sink if I could have managed it. The worst for sure. But it definitely beats the other option!

 

[Kmac]

For me, two surprises..
1. I was STILL alive, and
2. My Emotions. Since my surgery, despite being a somewhat bullish and boorish 60 year old, I tear-up at the slightest twinkle. Apparently this is a known side-effect, and in truth its not an issue, but it can get a bit frustrating at times

I could not watch Little House on the Prairie without crying before my surgery, now it is worse. Also having short legs erm memory issues. Beats a dirt nap I reckon.

 

[Superman]

I could not watch Little House on the Prairie without crying before my surgery, now it is worse. Also having short legs erm memory issues. Beats a dirt nap I reckon.

Y’all want to get a bit choked up, try giving “100 Years” by Five for Fighting (it’s just one guy , but he’s Canadian so it’s a hockey name). Turning 50 this year, this song really gets me.



He’s also got a song called “Superman (It’s not easy)” - so there you go.

 

[Rebecca]

1) was that my aorta was nicked with the saw when my chest was open up.
2) how thirsty I was and you can't drink for x number of hours after.
3) how weak I was, by the time I took the paper off the straw and silverware and them remove the lid off the plate of food I had no energy to eat.
4) all the drugs they give you make you constipated. DO NOT GET CONSTIPATED.

 

[BionicBuddy]

Practice some simple hand signals with your spouse/caregiver before surgery. I was surprised how long my husband was awake with the breathing tube (and unable to verbally communicate). We had the “OK” & thumbs up/down, but that was it. Writing was out, as his arms were somewhat restrained to prevent him from messing with the tube. It was very frustrating for him to try and communicate his needs.

Other than Ok/Not OK, Yes/No, both with the thumbs up/down motion, what other hand signals/ types of communication would have been helpful? Blinking the eyes x # of times, let's say, but for what?

Edited: Oops, I just had to read further down to see Cindy Bain's fabulous post!

 

[Chuck C]

Blinking the eyes x # of times, let's say, but for what?

The two of you could learn Morris Code and use blinking to communicate.

Kidding. That would be a little over the top.