Buyer's Remorse

[Barry]

Wondering how many folks here upon second, third, and fourth thoughts wish they had opted for a different sort of valve-replacement or procedure.

Myself, I opted to have my mitral valve replaced with a St. Jude's and still think that was the way to go.

 

[Old clicker]

I am happy with the choice I made.

 

[Emma]

I feel very happy with our daughters replacement and I think I HAVE to be happy with the choice we made over replacing Chloe's valve anyway - cos if we decided we weren't, we could drive ourselves mad with no way of changing anything anyway.

Emma
xxx

 

[geebee]

I didn't have a choice with the first valve. My surgeon was positive he could repair it so we did not talk about replacement choices. I woke up ticking.

As far as the last one goes, I decided to go with the St. Jude since I had been on coumadin for 14 years and was used to it. Also, since I was 42 (and it was my 3rd OHS), I really didn't want another surgery. So far, so good. I am hoping for it to outlast me. If I had gone with a tissue valve, I would be facing (or already had a 4th surgery by now).

I am happy with the choice I got to make.

 

[Diane]

I have Buyers' Remorse!

I have Buyers' Remorse!

Talk about Buyers' Remorse! I'm sure everyone will think I'm nuts but I have actually had 2nd thoughts and wished that I hadn't gone through with my PVR surgery in the first place (not that there's anything I can do about it now)! The surgery went very well as has the recovery, but still, I find myself wondering why I even did it.

I was feeling fine before the surgery and I don't feel any "different" or "better" now. I asked the doctor about it on my 6 weeks check-up the other day. He said that this surgery was purely preventative to keep my condition from worsening and that I probably won't feel any "different" or "better" at all. He said that if I do, it will be months, if not years, before I notice any improvement. To me, a flu shot is preventative medicine.....OHS should be something more!

Since I did have the surgery, I have wished that I had asked the surgeon to cut me across instead of up-and-down. My scar from my original TOF repair went across so it was always hidden in my bra. Most people were unaware that I even had a heart condition until I had this surgery. I decided against having the surgeon to cut me across because I was thinking about the fact that the incision would probably be uncomfortable this summer when it is hot and I have to wear a bra. In retrospect, I realize that it would have only been a few months and then by next summer, the incision would be all healed and it wouldn't be a problem. I am having more trouble accepting this "zipper" scar than I thought I would. I don't like my clothes to be close to my neck....it makes me feel like I can't breathe (its a good thing I'm not a man that has to wear ties!). So this stupid scar shows with almost everything I wear. I guess I will get used to it eventually but I do wish it went across instead of up-and-down.

Diane

 

[geebee]

Diane,

You will get used to it. I know it is a shock initially especially to us women who like to wear v-necks or even low cut gowns.

Eventually you will get to a point where you either don't care what people think or kind of enjoy the conversations people start up when they see the scar. It can be a real "ice breaker", especially when you act like it isn't there. It's almost fun to watch people decide whether to say something or not.

I know it sounds trite but try to think of it as a survivor badge.

 

[Karlynn]

The top of my scar is barely visible it's faded so much. Unless the light hits it in just the right way, most people don't notice it. I wear whatever neckline I like.

No buyers remorse here.

 

[Sherry]

I have the same story as Gina. I went in for a repair and ended up with a St. Jude's. Yes, I question it at times, but oh well, I can't dwell on it. I'm alive, and that's the most important thing.

 

[geebee]

I have the same story as Gina. I went in for a repair and ended up with a St. Jude's. Yes, I question it at times, but oh well, I can't dwell on it. I'm alive, and that's the most important thing.

You know the joke that was on here recently about God thinking he was a cardiologist? I think God should have thought he was a heart surgeon. They do think they are "all-knowing". I guess we know at least 2 who were wrong.

 

[Rich]

At that time I really didn't know much about it.
There were no forums like this.
Although I did ask about a tissue valve my surgeon said I was too young for one(58 at that time).
I also didn't know anything about Coumadin until after the 'job' was done.
While I could due without the Coumadin issues I wouldn't trade any of it for a second surgery.
Hopefully the surgeon was right when he said I will most likely die of something else before this St. Jude's quits.

 

[INRtest]

Zipper

Zipper

Buyer's remorse? Yeah, I wish I didn't get sick, spend almost 5 months recovering and now deal with Coumadin for the rest of my life. On the other hand, I have a life so it's all good.

I was also going to say that it's a war wound & I'm proud of it. Most of us, I suppose, wouldn't be alive without this zipper down our chests, so it is what it is. On the other hand, I haven't had the opportunity to take my shirt off (in public) yet since my life-altering surgery. I think I'll feel a little self-conscious at first, but then it will just become a part of me (of most of us on this site).

 

[lance]

Surgery--sooner better than later

Surgery--sooner better than later

Talk about Buyers' Remorse! I'm sure everyone will think I'm nuts but I have actually had 2nd thoughts and wished that I hadn't gone through with my PVR surgery in the first place (not that there's anything I can do about it now)! The surgery went very well as has the recovery, but still, I find myself wondering why I even did it.

I was feeling fine before the surgery and I don't feel any "different" or "better" now. I asked the doctor about it on my 6 weeks check-up the other day. He said that this surgery was purely preventative to keep my condition from worsening and that I probably won't feel any "different" or "better" at all. He said that if I do, it will be months, if not years, before I notice any improvement. To me, a flu shot is preventative medicine.....OHS should be something more!

Since I did have the surgery, I have wished that I had asked the surgeon to cut me across instead of up-and-down. My scar from my original TOF repair went across so it was always hidden in my bra. Most people were unaware that I even had a heart condition until I had this surgery. I decided against having the surgeon to cut me across because I was thinking about the fact that the incision would probably be uncomfortable this summer when it is hot and I have to wear a bra. In retrospect, I realize that it would have only been a few months and then by next summer, the incision would be all healed and it wouldn't be a problem. I am having more trouble accepting this "zipper" scar than I thought I would. I don't like my clothes to be close to my neck....it makes me feel like I can't breathe (its a good thing I'm not a man that has to wear ties!). So this stupid scar shows with almost everything I wear. I guess I will get used to it eventually but I do wish it went across instead of up-and-down.

Diane

Hi Diane,

My scar did bother me at first, but now I never think about it.

If given the choice I would have opted for MVR sooner before my condition worsened--out of breath in less than 5 steps. Recovery was longer and harder and there were complications from A-fib.

However, it's done, I'm glad and I have a life to enjoy. As someon else put it--there's a pulse at the end of my arm.

Best wishes for your future.

 

[jeffp]

I'm 4 weeks out from MVR with St. Judes mechanical. Still kinda weak and achy; thought I'd be "up and at 'em" by now. Each week is much better then the one before. Went in as emergency heart failure case with valve totally blown out. Tried to repair the valve, but was not possible. We discussed tissue vs mechanical, but as a physician myself and at 50 y/o, I'd rather live with the rat poison than go through this again. Let me tell you, being on the patient end sure has given me a new outlook on patients!

 

[Nancy]

Joe has two mechanicals. The old one has been in place for 28 years, so no complaints there. He's happy to be alive.

He hardly even mentions Coumadin, just goes and takes his test and then changes the dose per doc. We could self-test him, but he prefers to have someone else do it, fingerstick in his Internist's office. A few other meds have to be adjusted periodically as well, so we just go with the flow.

By the way, he goes every week since he has many medications and conditions which interfere with his INR.

 

[beccaslp]

Can understand this feeling

Can understand this feeling

Talk about Buyers' Remorse! I'm sure everyone will think I'm nuts but I have actually had 2nd thoughts and wished that I hadn't gone through with my PVR surgery in the first place (not that there's anything I can do about it now)! The surgery went very well as has the recovery, but still, I find myself wondering why I even did it.

I was feeling fine before the surgery and I don't feel any "different" or "better" now. I asked the doctor about it on my 6 weeks check-up the other day. He said that this surgery was purely preventative to keep my condition from worsening and that I probably won't feel any "different" or "better" at all. He said that if I do, it will be months, if not years, before I notice any improvement. To me, a flu shot is preventative medicine.....OHS should be something more!

Diane

I can relate to this. I went in for a yearly checkup and they said the numbers showed severe aortic stenosis and some thickening of the ventricle. however, I FEEL FINE! It has been hard for me to reconcile in my mind the fact that I am going to have this major surgery, but I don't feel bad. People ask me how I am feeling and act like they don't believe me when I tell them that I feel great. I think that they think I am just in denial and that I really do feel bad.

I know there is a fine line between doing this surgery too early and waiting too late. I guess it is better now than later when I might be bed ridden because of my heart.

Just wanted you to know I feel the same way about my up-coming surgery. BECCA

 

[Barry]

Regarding feeling fine...

My severe mitral valve prolapse was spotted over 30 years ago, when the sort of valves available weren't very good. I felt fine, no symptoms. Doc told me that so long as I was asymptomatic to avoid docs, since they'd all be wanting to cut on me - that so long as I wasn't aware of any symptoms to hold out until good valves were developed.

Now, there is wisdom in what he said, and a couple of years ago I recognized myself as going into CHF and went in for a valve job. But I should have kept up on the advancements in technology and not waited quite so long, because I did do some damage to my heart by waiting until it was literally do-or-die. Feeling fine isn't all it's cracked up to be.

 

[wpribyl]

buyers remorse

buyers remorse

I got the valve I wanted, the Edwards Magna Valve, however, from the website, all I saw was the new treatment that was 44% better. That sold me. What I didn't know was that they also made Magnas without thes Therma Fix. Everything I read kept saying the Magna with therma fix. 4 Months after I got the valve I find out that I got the Magna 3000 that does not have the new treatment.

I am happy with the valve and only having to take an aspirin a day. but really fell misled by the website.

 

[lance]

Cause for celebration not remorse

Cause for celebration not remorse

I got the valve I wanted, the Edwards Magna Valve, however, from the website, all I saw was the new treatment that was 44% better. That sold me. What I didn't know was that they also made Magnas without thes Therma Fix. Everything I read kept saying the Magna with therma fix. 4 Months after I got the valve I find out that I got the Magna 3000 that does not have the new treatment.

I am happy with the valve and only having to take an aspirin a day. but really fell misled by the website.

Just an aspirin a day--go and celebrate your good fortune. Hope it remains that way foever.

Cheers