M
mbfleth
Leah,
I have to second the comments of RossGurlie and baldstuart.
My natural aortic valve failed three years ago and needed to be replaced rather urgently. Blood clots were coming off of my old calcified valve.
I was taken to a university hospital where I was given to choice of mechanical, bovine, homograft and Ross. Due to my age (40ys old at the time) and otherwise excellent heart condition I was a candidate for the Ross. In fact, it was in my hospital room two days before surgery that I heard about the Ross for the first time.
My mother had mechanical aortic valve(s) for ten years. Her first valve needed a re-operation after three years due to scar tissue before it was replaced in a third operation seven years after original insertion. After watching her struggle with coumadin the Ross option seemed like a really cool "organic" alternative. Coumadin may be OK in some cases, but you need to consider that it is a life sentence that could come back to bite you as you age.
I decided on the Ross because I wanted to keep my heart as real as possible. I had two young kids (three now) that I wanted to enjoy without restrictions. I am also an active person with no desire to click...although it would be interesting to have an audible heart rate monitor.
I am now three years post-op and in my best shape since college. I am still medication free and running 30+ miles per week. There is nothing about me or what I do that remind me I even had the surgery...except for the scar.
If you do vote for the Ross, remember that you get out of it what you put into it.
Really, with no matter what valve you choose lifestyle will play a huge role in long-term success. You will need to work at recovery. It is not easy the first week or two. You will wake up with a new valve and a broken sternum. The valve will be fine but the sternum will be a royal pain. Add the effect of the long operation causing fluid build-up in you lungs and you will discover how hard it is to cough with a broken sternum. Sleeping will be uncomfortable and you will have a weight restriction on lifting objects (children) to allow the sternum to heal. The recovery really will pass quickly but be prepared for the first 7-10 days. The affects of the anesthesia and the sternum will be the main things that drag you down. I found that the more walking and moving around I could do early in the recovery seemed to shorten the prescribed down time.
Looking back three years, it really was a cool experience and challenge. I am glad that chose the Ross.
Good luck to you and God be with you!!!
This is a life changing period for you. Attitude really is everything.
I was reminded during rehab of Bill Murray in the original Ghostbusters when he said "We came, we saw, we kicked their a&&" It was a fitting motto to adopt.
Attitude really is everything
I have to second the comments of RossGurlie and baldstuart.
My natural aortic valve failed three years ago and needed to be replaced rather urgently. Blood clots were coming off of my old calcified valve.
I was taken to a university hospital where I was given to choice of mechanical, bovine, homograft and Ross. Due to my age (40ys old at the time) and otherwise excellent heart condition I was a candidate for the Ross. In fact, it was in my hospital room two days before surgery that I heard about the Ross for the first time.
My mother had mechanical aortic valve(s) for ten years. Her first valve needed a re-operation after three years due to scar tissue before it was replaced in a third operation seven years after original insertion. After watching her struggle with coumadin the Ross option seemed like a really cool "organic" alternative. Coumadin may be OK in some cases, but you need to consider that it is a life sentence that could come back to bite you as you age.
I decided on the Ross because I wanted to keep my heart as real as possible. I had two young kids (three now) that I wanted to enjoy without restrictions. I am also an active person with no desire to click...although it would be interesting to have an audible heart rate monitor.
I am now three years post-op and in my best shape since college. I am still medication free and running 30+ miles per week. There is nothing about me or what I do that remind me I even had the surgery...except for the scar.
If you do vote for the Ross, remember that you get out of it what you put into it.
Really, with no matter what valve you choose lifestyle will play a huge role in long-term success. You will need to work at recovery. It is not easy the first week or two. You will wake up with a new valve and a broken sternum. The valve will be fine but the sternum will be a royal pain. Add the effect of the long operation causing fluid build-up in you lungs and you will discover how hard it is to cough with a broken sternum. Sleeping will be uncomfortable and you will have a weight restriction on lifting objects (children) to allow the sternum to heal. The recovery really will pass quickly but be prepared for the first 7-10 days. The affects of the anesthesia and the sternum will be the main things that drag you down. I found that the more walking and moving around I could do early in the recovery seemed to shorten the prescribed down time.
Looking back three years, it really was a cool experience and challenge. I am glad that chose the Ross.
Good luck to you and God be with you!!!
This is a life changing period for you. Attitude really is everything.
I was reminded during rehab of Bill Murray in the original Ghostbusters when he said "We came, we saw, we kicked their a&&" It was a fitting motto to adopt.
Attitude really is everything
