Is it true that once they go in, things are never the same after?

[HopefulHeart]

Good morning everyone. I have an ascending aortic aneurysm that will eventually need surgery. It's currently at 4.4cm. I have no symptoms, but I am a short female (5ft 2 in.) and have read that smaller people may need surgery sooner than taller people. I am able to exercise without getting winded and can chase my kids without feeling lightheaded. I've heard many people say about surgery (all kinds of surgery, not just heart) that "once they go in and cut, things are never the same after that". For those of you that have had your cardiac surgeries, did you find this to be true? I'm finding it difficult in my mind to comprehend that I will need to undergo such an invasive procedure that could change my body forever, when I don't have any symptoms and feel normal.

 

[Agian]

No current symptoms. The anxiety I had when I was in the waiting room is resolving. It depends on what you mean by things not being the same, really. I've got a line down my chest and a new contraption that's replaced the calcified condom thingy. Physically, I feel 'normal'. I reckon I can outrun the kids.

 

[HopefulHeart]

Thanks Agian! Sounds like you're doing well and feeling good. Glad to hear that and it's very reassuring to me.

 

[JLmatus]

Hi, I had aortic valve replacement surgery and an aortic aneurysm repair on 5-15-17. Other than a little soreness near the chest scar I feel great. As far as my recovery, I haven't felt this good in years. Good luck with your surgery. You'll be fine.

 

[pellicle]

Hi

... I have an ascending aortic aneurysm that will eventually need surgery. ...I have no symptoms

normally you don't ... hence the name "silent killer" often ascribed to it. Its just like the garden hose starting to swell at the tap connection , you don't notice anything at the hose end but one day suddenly it pops off and you have no water at your end ...

I've heard many people say about surgery (all kinds of surgery, not just heart) that "once they go in and cut, things are never the same after that"

I'm not entirely sure how to intrepret this as its a bit open and almost theatric. Yes its true, but there are many things which are true that can distort what the situation really is. For instance if I take a sip out of my glass "there is never as much in it anymore"; and yet 90% of the glass is remaining AND I feel refreshed.

This strikes me as something written by someone who has a negative view. I have a friend who's mother passed away perhaps one or two years back. Her mother was always whinging about her heart surgery. Complained regularly to her kids; that they had pushed her into it, that she had no quality if life anymore (she simply sat around after surgery and did nothing about recovery), that she was unable to do things (which she could if she'd got off her arse). Essentially the valve gave her another 4 years of life, but it could have given her another 15 if she'd put her own effort into it.

Myself I had my first OHS at 10 years old, so I have but the haziest of memories of pre-surgery. However growing up as a teenager I rode motorcross bikes, hiked some of the most fabulous terrain in this part of the world (see here and here), traveled, and lived perhaps one of the most full lives anyone I know has lived.

I achieved that because "nothing was the same again" ... to which I view as only a positive thing.

I have never once felt different or lesser in doing things because of my surgeries, only better and stronger (and not dead).

True for one with an aneurysm the apparent benefits that a valve surgery gives are not there (you don't "feel" better), but you do get to not fall down dead suddenly (probably at an inconvenient time.

Look towards the positves and I'm sure it will only be a beneficial and positive thing.

Besides, having a few scars on the body before it gets dumped is not going to damage its resale value ... those old models don't fetch much on eBay anymore ;-)

 

[HopefulHeart]

Hi, I had aortic valve replacement surgery and an aortic aneurysm repair on 5-15-17. Other than a little soreness near the chest scar I feel great. As far as my recovery, I haven't felt this good in years. Good luck with your surgery. You'll be fine.

Thank you JLmatus! Congrats on your successful surgery and the fact that you're feeling so good. I feel very encouraged after reading your response.

 

[HopefulHeart]

Hi



normally you don't ... hence the name "silent killer" often ascribed to it. Its just like the garden hose starting to swell at the tap connection , you don't notice anything at the hose end but one day suddenly it pops off and you have no water at your end ...




I'm not entirely sure how to intrepret this as its a bit open and almost theatric. Yes its true, but there are many things which are true that can distort what the situation really is. For instance if I take a sip out of my glass "there is never as much in it anymore"; and yet 90% of the glass is remaining AND I feel refreshed.

This strikes me as something written by someone who has a negative view. I have a friend who's mother passed away perhaps one or two years back. Her mother was always whinging about her heart surgery. Complained regularly to her kids; that they had pushed her into it, that she had no quality if life anymore (she simply sat around after surgery and did nothing about recovery), that she was unable to do things (which she could if she'd got off her arse). Essentially the valve gave her another 4 years of life, but it could have given her another 15 if she'd put her own effort into it.

Myself I had my first OHS at 10 years old, so I have but the haziest of memories of pre-surgery. However growing up as a teenager I rode motorcross bikes, hiked some of the most fabulous terrain in this part of the world (see here and here), traveled, and lived perhaps one of the most full lives anyone I know has lived.

I achieved that because "nothing was the same again" ... to which I view as only a positive thing.

I have never once felt different or lesser in doing things because of my surgeries, only better and stronger (and not dead).

True for one with an aneurysm the apparent benefits that a valve surgery gives are not there (you don't "feel" better), but you do get to not fall down dead suddenly (probably at an inconvenient time.

Look towards the positves and I'm sure it will only be a beneficial and positive thing.

Besides, having a few scars on the body before it gets dumped is not going to damage its resale value ... those old models don't fetch much on eBay anymore ;-)

Pellicle......you have lifted my spirits as only you can! Thanks for helping me keep things in perspective. I appreciate your input.

 

[epstns]

HH - I did not have an aneurysm - I had valve replacement, a bypass and a pacemaker. Is life the same after? Emphatically NO! My life is so much better than it was before. Not because I can do things that I couldn't do before; that is not the case. What is better is my attitude and feelings about life. I am sure I will live a longer life having had my surgery, and for me, that is a wonderful blessing.

I had surgery at age 63, and by two months post-op, unless I told someone I had had heart surgery, they would never guess. It did take longer to get fully back to my exercise routines, etc., but I was living a full life and enjoying it more. Don't let this hold you down. Just keep a close watch on it and have it repaired when the time is right. The odds of your living a great, long life after surgery are far better than anything you'd get in any casino I've ever been to, and the reward is wonderful.

 

[HopefulHeart]

HH - I did not have an aneurysm - I had valve replacement, a bypass and a pacemaker. Is life the same after? Emphatically NO! My life is so much better than it was before. Not because I can do things that I couldn't do before; that is not the case. What is better is my attitude and feelings about life. I am sure I will live a longer life having had my surgery, and for me, that is a wonderful blessing.

I had surgery at age 63, and by two months post-op, unless I told someone I had had heart surgery, they would never guess. It did take longer to get fully back to my exercise routines, etc., but I was living a full life and enjoying it more. Don't let this hold you down. Just keep a close watch on it and have it repaired when the time is right. The odds of your living a great, long life after surgery are far better than anything you'd get in any casino I've ever been to, and the reward is wonderful.

Thank you so much epstns! Your outlook on life is amazing. And as long as I keep your example of positive thinking and kind words in my head (will probably have to read and re-read yours and the others posts), I think I'll be able to face this with more courage. Your input and the others input helps me so much because there are times when I feel very alone with this aneurysm and BAV. Sometimes I feel like the only one with these conditions and the walls of fear start to close in on me.

 

[cldlhd]

I'd like to write more but it's pretty much been said out here and I don't feel as witty as usual as my happy hour ran a bit long yesterday- blown 8" valve on a water main relining project-so I got out of work 3 hours late- and I'm getting ready to do something I don't enjoy ( spackling drywall in a bedroom I rewired, insulated, sheetrocked etc..) . Point is I'm post surgery and doing all those things. Pellicle is right that if the cause of your surgery is an aneurysm , as mine was, and not a bad valve you won't get that " wow I feel so much better now" physically but the knowledge I'm less likely to drop dead makes me feel much better mentally.

 

[HopefulHeart]

I'd like to write more but it's pretty much been said out here and I don't feel as witty as usual as my happy hour ran a bit long yesterday- blown 8" valve on a water main relining project-so I got out of work 3 hours late- and I'm getting ready to do something I don't enjoy ( spackling drywall in a bedroom I rewired, insulated, sheetrocked etc..) . Point is I'm post surgery and doing all those things. Pellicle is right that if the cause of your surgery is an aneurysm , as mine was, and not a bad valve you won't get that " wow I feel so much better now" physically but the knowledge I'm less likely to drop dead makes me feel much better mentally.

Thank you cldlhd!! Your post made me feel a lot better.

 

[cldlhd]

No problem, that's why we're here. I see you're in North Carolina is Duke a possibility?

 

[carolinemc]

HopefulHeart, just lurking and saw your post. I am also 5/2 and had OPH in 2001 and still alive. Double bypass for the aortic valve replacement and on warfarin. Never mind what other people have told you. You have surgery no matter how short or tall you are. It depends on your heart condition for surgery and when. You will be fine. And you are in a group of wonderful people to hold your hand and answer any questions you might have. But be sure to ask your cardio and surgeon any questions you might have. be proactive and knowledge is power. Hugs for today.

 

[mikeccolella]

Hi dont listen to the negatives. The only thing you have fear itself! I tell everyone that the worst part of heart surgery were my thoghts about it. The surgery and the aftermath were not so bad. A little, tiredness, but just do all you are told to do and you will be yourself again in no time. Mine was just six months ago and as Steve said things are even better than before surgery. God Bless you and really try not to worry too much.

 

[Trinalovescats]

I had Mitral Valve Replacement on May 3,2016 at 31.I haven't felt this liberated since 2010 when I was starting to show some symptons of something.The months leading up to my surgery ,I couldn't walk.Now I can walk everywhere!
sometimes it feels like I'm running.

 

[user 16827]

HopefulHeart IMO being Asymptomatic is hard because as you say you feel " normal "

My experience was the same , i was asymptomatic and very active yet i had this surgeon telling me i'm going to
die without OHS, it's a bit of a mind bender.

I found that post surgery i felt different , it's a profound moment in your life, however i am not dead so that
will do for me.

Is the dilation due to a faulty valve ? are you replacing the valve too ?

I had more of an issue with my groin , nobody told me about the groin but unluckily i got an infection.

Keep positive, keep focused and don't let it beat you,

keep the faith & Good luck :Face-Smirk:

 

[Eva]

Hopefulheart, keep your heart and yourself hopeful!

I had my mitral and aortic valves replaced at 57 with St. Jude. Is my life different from before...yes, of course! Had my surgery on 8 September 2008, and invited my family and my husband's relatives for Thanksgiving in our house; I.e. Three weeks later
.
Some may have tough time after surgery which will resolve with time, others may readjust quickly and have easy recovery. In either case, life is better...we're still alive to finish what we have to finish!
my memory is not as sharp as before, but I'm getting used to my new me. On the other hand, I have energy I didn't have before and my outlook at life is more meaningfully pleasant better way!

good luck and keep us posted.