kevans1475
Member
I posted on January 14 in the New Members section. I learned so much leading up to my surgery from this community and I had my surgery this past Monday, March 4. Here some of my experiences so far for those who are curious...
55 yo male. Born with BAV (stenosis type). Was watching it with echo''s since 2107. It reached severe stage in November, and met with Surgeon 1 of 2 on January 10. I got a second opinion (which is totally fine and no surgeon should mind) and decided on him and the hospital seemed like a better fit for me (Brigham & Woman's in Boston, MA). My aneurysm was just over the cusp of needed replacement (5.2) so had that grafted while they were in there. The also found a hole in my heart not seen on the scans, so they took care of that too.
I got an On-x valve after much reading. My bottom line was I just didn't want to go through this a second time if I didn't have to. Yes it ticks, and sometimes if sounds like a bang! But it's super early and that will change a bit, including having it fade into my day to day life.
Yes, you do feel like a truck hit you. Even with attentive cardiac nurses and well-discovered drug timing and doses, there will be uncomfortable moments. Sleeping for me has been a marathon. Sleeping what felt like large blocks of time (say, four hours each) was really about one hour each. The first night was the worst of it.
I'm still a big mentally groggy, but following the instructions by the recovery team seems to do the trick. I was healthy before (no comorbitities and didn't smoke and hardly drank), so that always makes things go smoother.
Hopeful to head home Saturday or Sunday...as soon as my INR levels stabilize where they want them.
I''m happy answer any questions in the meantime.
Ken.
55 yo male. Born with BAV (stenosis type). Was watching it with echo''s since 2107. It reached severe stage in November, and met with Surgeon 1 of 2 on January 10. I got a second opinion (which is totally fine and no surgeon should mind) and decided on him and the hospital seemed like a better fit for me (Brigham & Woman's in Boston, MA). My aneurysm was just over the cusp of needed replacement (5.2) so had that grafted while they were in there. The also found a hole in my heart not seen on the scans, so they took care of that too.
I got an On-x valve after much reading. My bottom line was I just didn't want to go through this a second time if I didn't have to. Yes it ticks, and sometimes if sounds like a bang! But it's super early and that will change a bit, including having it fade into my day to day life.
Yes, you do feel like a truck hit you. Even with attentive cardiac nurses and well-discovered drug timing and doses, there will be uncomfortable moments. Sleeping for me has been a marathon. Sleeping what felt like large blocks of time (say, four hours each) was really about one hour each. The first night was the worst of it.
I'm still a big mentally groggy, but following the instructions by the recovery team seems to do the trick. I was healthy before (no comorbitities and didn't smoke and hardly drank), so that always makes things go smoother.
Hopeful to head home Saturday or Sunday...as soon as my INR levels stabilize where they want them.
I''m happy answer any questions in the meantime.
Ken.
