I am a proud owner of a new valve

[DavidMac]

I have just found this amazing website and want to say hello (G'day) to all you hearties out there. It is Day 18 post op for me today and I am glad to be alive! I had a valve replacement done in the Prince of Wales, Sydney, Australia. Things are going well so far. I see my cardiologist for a follow up appt tomorrow. I also started my physio program today. Didn't realise how weak you get...

Any tips on what to look out for for the next 2 months of recovery? Lows and highs? I am still working out my INR levels too. So everything is new!

All the best - this site has inspired me to write my story up!

 

[Ross]

Hi David and welcome to VR

There isn't a whole lot to say at this point. Walk, nap, excercise etc. Perhaps be watchful for signs of too much water gain in the heart or lungs. If you have difficulty breathing and the like, go get checked immediately. Outside of these things, just recover as best you can. I'm assuming that your feeling better and better everyday? One thing does come to mind-Post surgical depression.
Watch out for that. You'll bounce back and forth somewhat. All perfectly normal, but if depression sets in, seek help for that.

Read around and ask questions for those things that you don't have answers for and we'll help you sort them out.

Again, welcome to the group. I look forward to reading your posts.

 

[Nancy]

Hi David-

G'Day to you! I'm happy that your surgery is behind you and now you just have the recovery phase.

You'll have some ups and downs, and fatigue, so don't make judgements on a day by day basis, just a week by week basis. Before you know it, you'll be feeling much better than you did before surgery.

For some folks, the full recovery doesn't come soon enough to suit them. It can be annoyingly slow. But remember that your body has had a major insult and will heal cell by cell, sort of like trying to download a large picture file that is almost to large for the available space on your computer. It goes so-o-o slow and pixel by pixel. Eventually, it all gets downloaded.

So stop by often and let us know how things are going for you.

Take care,

 

[Jan]

Hi David

Wecome to the most amazing site you will ever find on Valve Replacement,

as you recover from your surgery take it steady and don't try and do too much too soon

Take care

Jan ( from across the pond ) Liverpool England

 

[EVELYN]

G'Day mate!!!

Welcome aboard what you will find to be an amazing place. I truly believe this site "knows it all" when it comes to replacements, etc. You will grow to love it as much as we do. I'm Evelyn whose husband, Tyce had AVR last June.....I know I would have been lost without the wonderful, caring people who are on this site. When you get a chance, look over all the old threads, they contain a wealth of information.

Again, Welcome!!!!

Evelyn

 

[McCln]

Hi Dave

Hi Dave

Welcome to the board. Like everyone else here, just take it easy, don't push yourself and walk abit. You have come to this right place for advice. We are here to help. I have a St. Jude's Aortic valve myself. It may take your chest up to a year to heal completely, so you have good days and bad. But you seem to have a good outlook on your recovery, so don't strain yourself. Just take it one step at a time and do what you feel after the initial recovery has taken place. Take care and be good.

Caroline
09-13-01
Aortic valve replacement
St. Jude's valve

 

[ALCapshaw2]

G'day Mate David !

One caution is to resist the urge to return to being a Macho Aussie Lad, especially where it comes to overdoing use of your arms and LIFTING. For the first 6 weeks or so, most doc's advise not to lift more than 5 or 10 lbs. Then for the next 6 weeks, no more than 40 lbs. You may want to get specific recommendaitons from your surgeon if he hasn't already cautioned you. You DO NOT want to break your healing sternum !

In the mean time, go through the Post Surgery posts and you should find many more recommendations and experiences.

It sounds like you already have a POSITIVE MENTAL ATTITUDE and that is one of the BEST medicines you can have during your recovery.

Best wishes,

'AL'

 

[Georgia]

Hey, David

Hey, David

Glad to have you. We'll just never quite know what day it is when you post (not that it's important, it's just that I've never been able to figure out time zones going in that direction).

I found this site at about the same stage of recuperation you did. Wish I could have found it before surgery. There's so much good info here; I second the suggestion that you spend some time prowling through previous threads.

Don't know just what to say about what to expect: two steps forward, occasional one step back; various aches and pains that come and go seemingly without reason; walking too far and not so sure you'll get home; really really tired of daytime TV? HOW DID PEOPLE STAY SANE DURING RECUPERATION BEFORE PC'S?

Coumadin - perhaps one of the most frustrating subjects for some; and no problem for others. I strongly suggest the coumadin section - it's more interesting and complete than any other I've found on the web. 1. Buy a coumadin cookbook - you'll have to convert the measurements (unless you still operate with the old measurements like us), but there's no other source so complete for Vit. K content of food. You can find it on Amazon. (2) Check out Al Lodwick's site. He runs a coumadin clinic and maintains his own website and it's terrific. He also monitors vr's coumadin section. We're very fortunate to have him.

So, welcome again. Be sure to keep visiting. It's pretty habit-forming.

 

[DavidMac]

Thanks to everyone who has welcomed me and offered kind advice. Since I posted my thread I have had another episode of palpitations - which wasn't as bad as the first time, but still disconcerting. On a positive note I saw my cardiologist for the first time post op. He said I was doing fine and said I was in good shape to return to work in 6-8 weeks. He dropped my Ramipril and said my INR was a bit low so needed to have another blood test. It is in the low 2s and needs to get up to 3s.
So, like you all say there are a few bumps ahead, but on the whole its all good and things can only get better.

Thanks for all your tips - expect to hear from me again!!!

 

[Nancy]

Hi David-

Heart rhythm disturbances can happen after this surgery for a little while. Your heart is swollen and has an incision which can interfere with its own electrical impulses. These disturbances usually go away as soon as a little more healing happens.

Take care,

 

[sylviayasgur]

hi david!
welcome to this site. it is the most wonderful place! everyone here is so supportive, kind and so very informative.
sounds like you are well on your way to recovery. what did the cardio say when you told him about your palpitations?
that, as nancy said, is very common post op. along with aches and pains, just try to be patient. walk, rest and breathe.
glad to have you among us.
be well, sylvia

 

[Les]

Hi David,
As you can tell...."The Voices of Experience" prevail here. If ever there was a place to go with heart surgery related questions or comments, this is it. We're here to share and help, as you will for others who will eventually walk this same path. Welcome, and looking forward to hearing of your progress in healing. Take care!
__________________
Les AVR '93 / '95

 

[ccrawford]

Welcome David

Welcome David

G'day David - I'm only a few weeks ahead of you in the healing process with a mechanical aortic valve and single bypass. Its easy to push too hard, so go slow and let your pains be your guide. Be sure to read all the posts on Coumadin until you are comfortable with all of this. Be sure to check before you ingest any new drugs, and good luck. Chris

 

[Andrea]

G'Day Mate!

I am 8 weeks post op and just went back to work last week. I also had ups and downs but found out that in the end it was all pretty normal with this surgery. Most importantly is to not do more than you should too soon. You may feel like you can do something but you may not remember to take it easy until you feel the pain.
This site is amazing, I agree. Anything you may need to know you will find here from people who know what they are taling about. I feel very lucky and blessed that I found the people here. I cant imagine going through this process without their help and encouragment.

Good luck to ya