Aortic Valve Replacement/Maze Procedure

[Jasko]

Hello everyone,

My dad had an aortic valve replacement(Mechanical) as well as the maze procedure done on June 14, 2005. He is 48 years old. The thing I am wondering is how did you guys feel if you had any of those procedures done, my dad has no appetite at all, and its been 5 days after the surgery, mostly he only drinks fluids. Another thing I am concerned with is his heartbeat. The first two days it was normal 60-90 range. However the last three days it sped up, first it was at 160, then the next day after the doctor gave him some medicine it slowed down to 140, the next day to 100-110, however it went back up to 120-130 range, he feels really weak. Can not walk alot even though the doctors stress it. Did anyone experience such high heartbeat rates, if yes for how long? What did you guys try to eat to get your appetite back? How long did you stay at the hospital? Were you able to walk a lot?

Thank you all very much

 

[hensylee]

Welcome to VR, Jasco. First of all, your father has had MAJOR SURGERY. This is not your average, everyday surgery. It is a life threatening event. He will not be up and around like he was before - any time soon, but he will get there like all of us have. Walking and breathing exercises are a big part of recovery but he must take it slow at first - after all, he's just had the surgery. Appetites vary - some have lots of difficulty regaining theirs. Some have no problems at all, but most of us lose weight after heart surgery. Some of us believe that medications administered during and after surgery may have some bearing on our appetites. Please be sure to allow enough time for his to return - it will. His weakness is natural. Right now he should not lift anything over 5#. Soon he can lift 10# - eventually 15#, etc. He can't even drive until about 6 weeks. After valve replacement, many have a problem with heart rate. Just make sure the dr is on top of it, and it sounds like he/she is - keep reporting the heart rate to him/her. You have come to the right place to get a variety of answers to every question you can ask regarding this surgery - and they're coming as soon as they get up. We welcome all questions and are happy to answer. Please be patient with your dad. His improvement is coming every day. Blessins......

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Welcome Jasko,

MANY of us experienced rapid heart rates following surgery. Your father's sound a little on the high side. Medications (Beta Blockers usually) help. The MAZE procedure should also help but it could take several weeks to a few months for everything to 'settle down'. ASK the surgeon for an information sheet on the MAZE procedure which discusses typical recovery and treatment(s).

ALL of us feel weak, especially for the first two weeks or so. Then, day by day and little by little, we typically find that we can do just a little more and a little longer than the day before. By 6 weeks, most are able to get up and around, drive, and often return to work. Stamina will be limited and frequent NAPS go a long way to helping to recover.

The VR.com mantra is
WALK, WALK, WALK,
BREATHE, BREATHE, BREATHE,
NAP, NAP, NAP.

The hospital should have given him an "Incentive Spirometer" which is a Breathing Exercise device. I had some breathing difficulties and was told to use the spirometer for 10 minutes every 2 hours. It made a BIG improvement in my breathing capacity and ability to function.

The road to recovery can sometimes be a bit 'rocky' but the odds are VERY GOOD (98-99%) that your father WILL recover well since he is relatively young and I assume this is his first heart surgery. It just takes time, patience, and persistence.

Be there as much as you can for the first few weeks because he will need some help while he gets rid of all the anesthesia and pain killer medicine in his body.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[ALCapshaw2]

OOPS, I forgot to comment on appetite. MANY have no taste for food at first. It can take a few weeks before food tastes good. Many doctors encourage their patients to eat ANYTHING that appeals to them, just to get them eating again. Fruit juices, popcicles, milk shakes / malted milk, etc. are often reported to be good 'starters' that are well tolerated. Small bites and small amounts several times a day also helps.

Please look through the Pre-Surgery and Post-Surgery Forums for a LOT of relevant discussions and information. Just about everything that can happen has been discussed before. Feel free to ask whatever questions you may still have. We are here to help others follow in our footsteps to recovery.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[liza]

Welcome! We are glad to have you here!

I had surgery 5 weeks ago and my heart rate was running about 125. They had me on a beta blocker, but it made me so dizzy and weak that they took me off of it for awhile, then put me back on it. Last night my heart rate was in the 80's for the first time in a VERY long time! I'm glad that your dad's doctors are trying to keep on top of it all.

After my surgery the only thing that sounded good for a week was fruit! I had my parents buy soo many fruit cups it filled up half a shelf in the fridge. Make sure he ingests anything that tastes good to him right now. Some people said milkshakes are good, as they have lots of calories and protein.

The walking thing will be different for everyone. I am 24, so I was able to get up and about pretty quickly. Is he walking around the house very much? Depending on where you are, it might be too hot to walk outside. He needs to get those drugs out of his system! But it is only a few days after his surgery.

Make sure you are there for him and cheer him on! The recovery isn't always as smooth as we'd like it to be, so be patient. He is lucky to have such a caring son or daughter (not quite sure by your nickname "Jasko"). Feel free to ask any questions! I hope your father's recovery is uphill from here!

Liza

 

[Big-Chuck]

post surgery

post surgery

I had surgery on June 6th and I didnt get any appetite because of the morphine and then vicodin they had me on. Once I got off of them, approx. 2 days, I was up on my feet walking and the next day I started to eat regularly. They gave me an injectable pain medication called tortal, not sure of spelling. It took away all the queasy, stupid in the head feelings I was having. Life improved for me immediately.

 

[Mary]

Hello everyone,

My dad had an aortic valve replacement(Mechanical) as well as the maze procedure done on June 14, 2005. He is 48 years old. The thing I am wondering is how did you guys feel if you had any of those procedures done, my dad has no appetite at all, and its been 5 days after the surgery, mostly he only drinks fluids. Another thing I am concerned with is his heartbeat. The first two days it was normal 60-90 range. However the last three days it sped up, first it was at 160, then the next day after the doctor gave him some medicine it slowed down to 140, the next day to 100-110, however it went back up to 120-130 range, he feels really weak. Can not walk alot even though the doctors stress it. Did anyone experience such high heartbeat rates, if yes for how long? What did you guys try to eat to get your appetite back? How long did you stay at the hospital? Were you able to walk a lot?

Jasko,
Where did your dad have his surgery done? I had mine at Mo Baptist with Dr. Kouchoukus on June 7.
I'm 53, and until today I have had some problems with heartrate, but nothing like the numbers you're quoting. Mine ran 100-110 the first week with very little exertion. The way it was explained to me, the heart is a muscle, and because it it working so hard to heal itself after surgery, there are no cardiac reserves--everything he does in these early days has to be dealt through the heart's cability at this specific time.
However, I don't think the heart will strengthen, and the heart rate be lowered, until he is able to walk. I have set aside times to get my walk in, and I've learned to make that a priority. Maybe if you can concentrate on only his walk time, and then suggest that he rest the remaining time, the heartrate will improve.
This morning, before I started my walk, my heartrate was 90. I walked a level surface at a pretty good clip for 15 minutes, then rechecked the HR. It was 110, but at 3 minutes it had dropped back to 94.
Hopefully your dad will feel better in a few days, but I would stay in contact with the doctors. Please make sure he uses the incentive spirometer and
maybe try giving him smaller portions. I find that I only eat about half of the food I'm given.

 

[Jasko]

He had it done at Forest Park Hospital/Beaconeasse Hospital, the problem is that when he gets up he feels weak or even he gets dizzy sometimes when starting to walk. Did anyone experience that as well? The doctors were talking of giving him some more blood into his system? He also was a big smoker before the surgery, smoked about 2 packs a day, and he is a small person, about 135 lbs.

Thanks

 

[McCln]

I am sure that there has been the dicussion that it normal to have a lack of appitite for a few weeks. As for the walking, a little distance at a time. He has to build the walking up slowly, not a whole lot yet. In the meantime, he will tire easily as the doctor probably to you and the patient. It takes time to heal from major surgery. And he is needs to follows doctor's orders. He will be back to his own self in due time. Do not rush the healing process. For some people heal quicker than others. For the chest, it take up to a good year for the muslces to heal from the trauma. Just take it easy, do not rush the healing and he will feel better soon enough. Just do as the doctor says in the meantime. If your father has problems, bring them to the doctor. You are a good person to take care of your parent. Take care. And come in often. Ask question. We only answer from personal experience only. Have a great day.

 

[Mary]

He had it done at Forest Park Hospital/Beaconeasse Hospital, the problem is that when he gets up he feels weak or even he gets dizzy sometimes when starting to walk. Did anyone experience that as well? The doctors were talking of giving him some more blood into his system? He also was a big smoker before the surgery, smoked about 2 packs a day, and he is a small person, about 135 lbs.

Thanks

Did they have any trouble weaning him from his oxygen? He might be anemic; they were watching that with me. Anemia would cause the feelings of faintness and dizziness along with the lungs trying to compensate from the smoking.
Why don't you call them and see what they say?

 

[Jasko]

Well they said his blood oxygen level is 96%, which is normal, anything from 90-100% is normal.

 

[CCRN]

Eating and dizzyness

Eating and dizzyness

Well they said his blood oxygen level is 96%, which is normal, anything from 90-100% is normal.

Hi

I had my surgery on the 7th of june and, even though I knew I should eat, I couldn't. I just was put off by just about anything offered. I'm just now begining to get my appetite back. The pain meds have some to do with it but your body is also telling you it's just not ready. Food served on a smaller plate helped me and I have been eating something fairly healthy every 3-4 hours while awake. I've started the dizzy thing too. I get up from lying down slowly or I get real dizzy once standing up. That's something I'm going to report tomorrow. Be sure his physician knows about the dizzyness. He might tweak his meds a bit and make a difference. This surgery is big time stuff. I went to the mall last week to walk and a little old lady passed me twice! Real ego buster for someone who used to run a couple of miles before work in the morning.

 

[hensylee]

could be he's still anemic. I recall that my local gp dr spotted me in the hall, stopped, and said 'you look anemic'. When we got in the examining room, he looked closer, said 'yes, you are' - gave me a shot, sent me for blood tests and his eyesight proved correct. Your dad's dr may, as you say, take further measures to correct the anemia, if that's it. The surgery weakness also must be taken into consideration. It'll get better, given time.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Be sure to tell the DOCTOR(s) about his dizzyness and/or nausea. I second the suggestion that he be checked for anemia.

One thing that may help is to first just SIT UP on the edge of the bed for a minute or so, then Stand UP for a minute or so, then walk as far as tolerable. Keep doing this as often as possible / recommended. Getting up and walking will help get the medicine and anesthesia out of his system faster.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[Jasko]

Thank you all for your replies. He started to eat today more . He even was walking a little today. Is it true that even though the aortic valve has been replaced that it can leak again? What about your hearbeats is it pretty much consistent? Also I want to get a heart rate monitor (like a watch or something that does it) so we can measure his heartbeat at home. Any suggestion on what kind of brand, where can I get it?

Thanks

 

[Karlynn]

How wonderful of you to get on and find information for your Dad!!!!

The problem with home heart rate monitors is if he has arrhythmia (irregular beats) the monitor just gets confused and you don't get an accurate reading. If he's not having arrhythmia, you can get some fairly inexpensive monitors. I would check sporting stores. I think I even saw a few at Walmart.

Just keep in mind that the heart really hates being messed with and valve surgery is a whole lotta messin'. The fact that your Dad was a pretty heavy smoker is probably one of the reasons he is wearing out so quickly. Although we ALL wear out quickly 5 days post-op.

It sounds like the doctors are on top of his heart rate and related areas. Don't let them be in a rush to discharge him if any of you feel you haven't received solid answers or feel his issues are not resolved to the point you feel somewhat comfortable having him at home.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Re: Heart Rate Monitors

Our local Walmart carries Polar (BIG exercise equipment mfr) for around $50 and a knockoff copy around $35.
These consist of a Chest Strap and wrist watch readout.

Readings can be erratic until the strap is positioned properly. The contacts do not pick up the signal very well until the subject begins to perspire. I 'jump start' the strap with a drop of saline solution applied to each pad on each side of the chest. Be sure to inspect the battery / terminals for rust if you use this trick. People with VERY hairy chests report poor sensor pickup and may need to shave the pickup areas.

I also recommend getting a Blood Pressure Cuff (or automatic BP machine) AND a separate Stethoscope. With a stethoscope and watch, he can count out his how heart rate AND learn to identify different types of arrhythmias (PVC/PAC - irregular heart beat with two closely spaced beets followed by a longer pause, Atrial Fibrilation - Fast and irregular Heart beat, Atrial Flutter - fast regular heart beat, etc.).

'AL Capshaw'

 

[Jasko]

Well my dad got out of the hospital on Tuesday , June 21. He is feeling much better now, he is taking Amiodrone for his heart as well as Coumadin. He got his appetite back . So far his heart has been working normally, we bought him a heart rate watch to monitor his heart rate. The only problem he has now is he can't sleep? Did anyone of you have that problem?

Thanks

 

[Mary]

I think everyone has that problem-- at least for a little while.
I had to sleep upright in a recliner until a few nights ago. I kept waking myself when my head would move around.
I also read that once you start walking, if you walk more than the recommended amount, it will negatively impact your sleep. I cut back to the recommended amount, and yes I did sleep better.
I'm getting 7-8 hours of uninterrupted sleep now, so it does improve.

I'm glad your dad is feeling so much better.

 

[Georgia]

Glad your dad is doing better.

A couple of things -

He's still going through withdrawal from smoking, and as I recall, that can cause a real problem sleeping. There are meds that help a bit (not nicotine however).

Lack of sleep can also result from depression - and depression is very common after open heart surgery (after any heart problem, actually). Your dad's young for heart trouble, and could be having a depression problem. If you suspect it, get him to the doc; many many of us were on antidepressants after surgery.

Good luck; your dad's lucky to have you.