From Joe 718---To all The Pretty people:

[Ross]

To all The Pretty people:

My name is Joseph and I reside on Long Island in New York. I'm also a 61 year old male, very active whom has recently become a candidate for an isolated AVR. Having been an athlete my entire life, tennis being my passion, I was told by my Cardiologist last November, 2009 subsequent to winning a tennis singles tournament in my division that I had a severely calcified bi-cuspid aortic valve. And, that I should start the process of interviewing prospective surgeons for OHS. MY GOD!!!!! Talk about hitting me in the face with a pale of COLD water. Or was it a Bat?

I've met with many; from Manhattan to Cleveland. I like Paul Stelzer at Mt. Sinai the very best. He being the only surgeon that I've met with that exemplified a humanistic patient centered approach to this horrible endeavor. What say any of you at there?

Can you share with me some of your experiences? Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Joseph in New York

 

[MarkU]

Joe,

I also had been an athlete all my life prior to my AVR in Dec 2000 at age 47.

I chose a mechanical valve at the recommendation of both my cardiologist and surgeon, primarily to reduce the probability of future repeat surgeries. Having been through it once at age 47, there's no way I'd want to do it again if I could avoid it. I've been on Coumadin since my surgery, but it really hasn't been much of a bother.

My surgery went well: Had the surgery on a Friday morning and was discharged the following Tuesday morning. Spent a couple of weeks at home and then went back to the office 1/2 days for a couple of weeks.

I was back at the gym in three months, spending my time on the treadmill and doing some light circuit training. Although I made steady progress, it still took almost nine months before I felt completely normal again. I would tire easily and learned to take naps.

I had been an avid weightlifter prior to my surgery, but my cardioloigst urged me to pursue more aerobic exercise post-op. One thing led to another and I ended up doing my first sprint triathlon three years after my surgery. Still at it six years later. I also did my first half marathon this past year (I'm slow, but steady).

FWIW, I had also been an avid tennis player most of my life, but a chronic tennis elbow has kept me off the court for more than 12 years, going back before my heart surgery. I got tired of taking cortisone shots and elbow surgery didn't seem to offer any assurances. I miss it, but it wasn't worth the pain anymore.

Good luck,
Mark

 

[tprice54]

It may take awhile, but you can be as atheltic as you want post op, especially if you were before surgery. I went with a bovine valve, but it really doesn't matter which type you get as far as being athletic. As far as doctor's, you've chosen the gold standard, from what I've read and heard. Good luck and keep posting!

 

[sylviayasgur]

hi joseph!
welcome!!!!! so glad to see you here, at last!
forgot to ask you but have you considered any surgeons at st. francis hospital (right in your backyard)?
my father had his avr done there about 12 yrs ago (st. jude mechanical valve). they have wonderful surgeons there and the hospital is fantastic.
just a thought...
take care of yourself,
sylvia

 

[spartangator]

Hi Joseph,
My introduction to this was similarly shocking in terms of being an athlete and then hearing the need for surgery at a surprise time. That being said, I just completed my two-year check-ups, and for the first time ever, my heart functions normally. In the two years since surgery, I've run a bunch of distance races, a marathon, and will be doing some triathlons this year. Point is, there's no reason you won't be winning a ton more tennis trophies after some recuperation.

Dr. Stelzer seems to get wonderful feedback on here (I've never met him); a search will show lots of positive stories so you have a solid option there.

The people on here are the best so make full use of their experiences. Everyone's happy to help.

 

[Philip B]

Pretty People?

Pretty People?

Hi Joe,

Who are the "pretty people?"

I grew-up knowing that I had a bad valve which would eventually need to be replaced. It was more of a real downer rather than a shock when the verdict about needing replacement came in.

My defective valve never placed restrictions on the activities I pursued other than I could not pass the physical to get my pilot's license (I learned to fly anyway and just did it without a license). I did some high school sports and college intermural sports activities. I was a serious rock and mountain climber until a fall broke both of my knees. I worked federal fire suppression crews for fourteen years and never had any problem meeting required fitness qualifications despite having a defective valve. Working and playing hard has pretty much been the norm for most of my life.

Aortic valve replacement surgery became a reality for me in March 2007. My valve was still working, but my aorta had developed a 5.8 cm aneuryism. I spent the week before surgery in Mexico playing golf.

I took a week off to have surgery and returned to work 1/2 days the week after I got out released from the hospital. I was back to my normal schedule the week after than.

Recovery went really well. My cardiologist dropped me into a cardiac rehab program at two weeks post-op to slow me down. I did the program for about six weeks before dropping to pursue outdoor activities that I enjoyed more. I'm back to doing all the activities I enjoyed before having AVR surgery. I have developed a passion for distance cycling events to support medical researh (Parkinsons & cancer). I survived a hit and run while cycling last June. Broken bones and road rash healed. Despite being on coumadin, the TBI I received did not result in any major brain bleeds.

Overall, life after surgery has been good. Unfortunately, everyone who has AVR surgery does not always have the same experience I have had. Often, others report more challenges.

-Philip

 

[ARGreenMN]

Will sound like a broken record after those posts...

Will sound like a broken record after those posts...

But my experiences have been very similar so far. I'm only 2 wks post-op right now so can't speak for what's down the road further, but based on these last 2 wks, it's truly been a breeze compared to what I feared. I constantly find myself forgetting I had the surgery 2 wks ago - until something brushes across my chest (still a little tender) or until I cough unexpectedly (that hurts a bit).

I've always been fairly athletic and am expecting to not only be as good, but better than before surgery. I've always had symptoms (shortness of breath) that slowed me down on the basketball court, and they got much worse in the last year or two (I'm 49 now). So hoping I'll be better than ever soon. Looking forward to weight-lifting again at 3 months post-op. I'm told that'll be ok, and I seriously feel like I could start right now, but I'll wait 'till 3 months, so I don't set myself back.

Bottom line, like all the others have said - you'll be back on the tennis court in no time, and be no worse for the wear (maybe even better). Best of luck, and keep us posted!

 

[Kathy McCain]

Hi Joseph,

Can't say that I was an athlete, but I was very active and physically fit. Gym workouts, serious walking. It was a SHOCK to say the least, when I was officially diagnosed with aortic stenosis at 52yrs. I did however know from the age of 23 that I had a heart murmur. At 56 I had my AVR. I had some complications, effusion with a pericardial window, and pericarditis. I'd like to be able to tell you that I had a fast and easy recovery, but that is simply not the case. Everyone is different though. Two yrs and 3mos later I am doing well!

Good luck Joseph. I'm sure you will do well!

 

[dick0236]

Welcome Joseph. OHS is a big deal, but it is not THAT big a deal. You have been forunate to make it to 61 before surgery was needed and I assume you are talking about a valve replacement. If you are like the majority who undergo this surgery, you will be able to return to your lifestyle with little notice of the OHS. Read and ask questions. This is an area where "knowledge is power" and this is a good forum for knowledge. Good luck !

 

[Luckyguy17]

Welcome joseph,

am a recent AVR and MVR recipient and yes like you and many others, was active at 56 and in denial when told i needed OHS.

I did not believe i was sick enough to require open heart surgery, but now have the education to know we made the right decision in doing the surgery.

Follow the coaching of the cardio and surgeons and ask the questions on the forum

Good luck with the journey

Gil