Allisoninoz
Well-known member
Hi all,
I saw my surgeon, Peter Skillington, on Monday. He is happy with my progress. He wants an echo in six months, and then another 12-months post-surgery, to check if there's any leakage in either the new aortic or pulmonary valves.
Now, I think I have this right: his data shows that of his 300 Ross Procedures, only four have required re-operations. Of these, all showed leakage by the 12-month mark, so he considers that first year echo a good indicator of the success of the surgery.
As I posted the other day, I'm feeling really good most of the time. I am more tired at night that I used to be, but that may well be simply that I'm getting back into more normal activities - and am exercising more. I do forget sometimes that I had major surgery only two months ago and my sternum is not even fully healed yet. I haven't taken painkillers for more than two weeks. My neck and back are still occasionally sore but a massage usually sorts that out.
I'm trying to walk at least 40 minutes a day, although sometimes I'm a bit slack. The rehab people advise that it's beneficial as long as you do it in at least 10-minute batches - so 4 x 10-minutes, 2 x 20 mins, 3 x 15 min etc. I have two more weeks of formal rehab and then they give me a discharge exercise plan.
Happy Easter to all ... don't eat too much chocolate ...
Alli
I saw my surgeon, Peter Skillington, on Monday. He is happy with my progress. He wants an echo in six months, and then another 12-months post-surgery, to check if there's any leakage in either the new aortic or pulmonary valves.
Now, I think I have this right: his data shows that of his 300 Ross Procedures, only four have required re-operations. Of these, all showed leakage by the 12-month mark, so he considers that first year echo a good indicator of the success of the surgery.
As I posted the other day, I'm feeling really good most of the time. I am more tired at night that I used to be, but that may well be simply that I'm getting back into more normal activities - and am exercising more. I do forget sometimes that I had major surgery only two months ago and my sternum is not even fully healed yet. I haven't taken painkillers for more than two weeks. My neck and back are still occasionally sore but a massage usually sorts that out.
I'm trying to walk at least 40 minutes a day, although sometimes I'm a bit slack. The rehab people advise that it's beneficial as long as you do it in at least 10-minute batches - so 4 x 10-minutes, 2 x 20 mins, 3 x 15 min etc. I have two more weeks of formal rehab and then they give me a discharge exercise plan.
Happy Easter to all ... don't eat too much chocolate ...
Alli
