My mom went in to surgery this morning (Monday) around 7 am. We did not know the extent of what was going to be done prior to that time. The least that would be done was MVR and the most would be MVR, AVR, TVR and double bypass. We were told the surgery would last about 5 hours but it turned into closer to 7 and I was thinking that meant that more was done rather than less.
When we finally were able to meet with the doctor after the surgery we were thrilled to hear that he only had to replace the mitral valve. He replaced it with a St. Jude's Mechanical. He said that the other valves in question were in very good shape with only a trivial amount of leakage and he did not anticipate that they would ever need further surgery. Dr. Glower was also able to do the MVR using port access.
Everything went well during surgery according to the doc and he said she should be his star patient. He did indicate that the two arteries in question did have more blockage than he would like to see but nothing close to warranting bypass. He said that she should be able to avoid a future bypass by following a good diet and exercise program but that he could not rule out the possibility of having to do one sometime in the next 20 years.
She was still out of it when I left the hospital but I will see her tomorrow when she will be a little more alert.
I do have a question for those of you that have been through this. How can we best help her and dad during her recovery?
Thanks,
Jon
When we finally were able to meet with the doctor after the surgery we were thrilled to hear that he only had to replace the mitral valve. He replaced it with a St. Jude's Mechanical. He said that the other valves in question were in very good shape with only a trivial amount of leakage and he did not anticipate that they would ever need further surgery. Dr. Glower was also able to do the MVR using port access.
Everything went well during surgery according to the doc and he said she should be his star patient. He did indicate that the two arteries in question did have more blockage than he would like to see but nothing close to warranting bypass. He said that she should be able to avoid a future bypass by following a good diet and exercise program but that he could not rule out the possibility of having to do one sometime in the next 20 years.
She was still out of it when I left the hospital but I will see her tomorrow when she will be a little more alert.
I do have a question for those of you that have been through this. How can we best help her and dad during her recovery?
Thanks,
Jon
Everyone's recovery is so different, however, that it is hard to say what your mom's unique needs will be. 
