Hello, 2 months post-op VA San Diego

[DinkyDau]

Hi, I'm a 61 year old patient of the VA Medical Center Las Vegas. I was sent to the San Diego VA Medical Center for the actual surgery and post-op recovery. Las Vegas has a new hospital, but still don't have the facility to do the procedure, they will shortly. I had the OnX valve replacement. No real problems, other than Sternal pain from the incision site. The VA San Diego team was fabulous, and were very professional. I'm starting my cardiac rehab in a week. I'm in fairly poor health, as I'm also an insulin dependent diabetic with pretty good A1c, and control. At any rate, just putting it out there and giving a shout out. Dave

 

[Duffey]

Hey Dave, welcome! It's good to read that you're doing well post-op, and I bet the cardiac rehab will be of real benefit to you. Best wishes for continued recovery and keep us updated on your cardiac rehab. For some reason, my insurance wouldn't pay for cardiac rehab following my replacement, and I've often wondered if that was the reason it took me longer to feel 100% recovered.

 

[Paleowoman]

For some reason, my insurance wouldn't pay for cardiac rehab following my replacement, and I've often wondered if that was the reason it took me longer to feel 100% recovered.

My insurance wouldn't pay for cardiac rehab either so I paid privately and had one to one sessions with cardiac specialist nurse (who is also an ironman (?spelling) sportsman).

I'm in the UK and my cardiologist said that the NHS rehab wouldn't be suitable for me as it's basically not for people with congenital heart problems like us valvers, but for people who've had heart attacks or are very elderly and really not very fit to begin with. I have private health insurance but they wouldn't pay for the rehab so I paid myself. It was a bit expensive but I thought worth it as I'd gone through all that valve surgery.. As it was one to one, when I finsihed several sessions, the cardiac nurse gave me a program that I could continue to do at home as I have a stationary cycle and weight lifting equipment. I have a heart rate monitor too to monitor things.

So there's always hope for anyone who can't get their rehab paid for.

PS Duffey - I'm 8 months out and still not 100% recovered despite rehab !

 

[DinkyDau]

Thanks for the welcome folks! I'm starting to feel like a human being again. Next I have upcoming cataract surgery on October 8th.

 

[DinkyDau]

I'm very fortunate, as I go to the Veterans Administration Hospital and get all my surgery, and follow up treatment for free. This includes all my medications Despite all the news about the VA and it's poor treatment of Veterans, I have never had poor medical care through them. It was just a few bad apples in some facilities!

 

[epstns]

DD - Thanks for speaking up about the good care you've gotten from the VA. My daughter used to work at the Hines VA facility near Chicago (in the psych section). She has since moved out East, but she was very disheartened to hear all the bad press the VA was getting because from her own work experience, the folks at those facilities are not only among the best and most caring service providers, but they also have a very large soft spot in their own hearts for those who have served in uniform.

Since your user name and your use of VA facilities tell me you're a vet (Viet Nam?), may I be the first to offer to you OUR SINCERE THANKS FOR YOUR SERVICE. Without folks like you, who were and are willing to risk it all in service, we would not have the lives we live today.

 

[DinkyDau]

epstns You're dead on right! Vietnam, 69-70, 71-72 beaucoup DinkyDau I'm glad your daughter felt that way,and she had every right to feel that way. I love the VA.

 

[DinkyDau]

☆☆☆ Update ☆☆☆
I am now 4 months post-surgical from the San Diego VA hospital. With an OnX valve,and I feel like a million bucks! I still have some sternal pain, which is negligible. I have since had cataract surgery, and am going in for an endoscopy with a Lovonox bridge,starting tomorrow.the whole process has left me feeling 15 years younger.I am 62 years old and feel like I'm only 40.
by the way, I was treated very very well, at the Veterans Administration Hospital with no feeling of being slighted, as some unsatisfied veterans same to feel.