My double heart valve replacment surgery update

[MKM]

On June 15, 2021,I had double heart valve replacement surgery. Both the aortic and mitral valve were replaced with tissue valves. The TEE/ECHO test previously had shown a blood clot so they stalled my surgery until the blood clot was gone. Well, on the day of surgery they discovered 2 blood clots and the doctor said it was a ‘stroke waiting to happen.’ So, my timing for surgery was pretty good. Originally the plan was for me to have the MAZE during this surgery but that was put on hold. I was in ICU for 3 days and for the next 5 days I was on the cardiac unit (I think.) They had us rolling into and out of bed. While in bed they often positioned me on my side and stuffed pillows into every empty crevasse.

I had family visit me for my first 3 weeks of home recovery and by the time they left I was pretty much on my own. Started driving again at 5 weeks and that gave me back my freedom.

Oxycontin was used for the first 3 weeks and then it was all about Tylenol to control pain.

As for now, my chest hurts like crazy. Heart surgeon said that its my nerve endings waking up and the pain will get worse before it gets better. Back to the Tylenol for me. I am recovering day by day and keep reading posts and daily updates from valvereplacement.org. I thought it was time to give you an update and send you all my best.

 

[pellicle]

bear with it mate, it gets better

 

[dick0236]

I'm glad you found this forum. It will be a great place for info and support as you continue to recover. My surgery was so long ago I can't remember those first few weeks after the surgery........but I imagine I also hurt in places I had never hurt before. Like pellicle says "it will get better"

 

[Hyp2r]

Glad to hear you’re recovering well. I had the same nearly 5 months back, both aortic and mitral valves replaced with bovine tissue. Interested to hear what type of valves you got?. They intended to repair the mitral valve but ended up replacing it due to its deteriorating state.
I was quite lucky and recovered quite quickly, didn’t have much pain that I recall.
Can’t say that I’m fully recovered but feeling pretty good. Good that you could drive after 5 weeks, I was close to 7 as my post op appointment was cancelled a couple of times.

 

[brijeshb]

On June 15, 2021,I had double heart valve replacement surgery. Both the aortic and mitral valve were replaced with tissue valves. The TEE/ECHO test previously had shown a blood clot so they stalled my surgery until the blood clot was gone. Well, on the day of surgery they discovered 2 blood clots and the doctor said it was a ‘stroke waiting to happen.’ So, my timing for surgery was pretty good. Originally the plan was for me to have the MAZE during this surgery but that was put on hold. I was in ICU for 3 days and for the next 5 days I was on the cardiac unit (I think.) They had us rolling into and out of bed. While in bed they often positioned me on my side and stuffed pillows into every empty crevasse.

I had family visit me for my first 3 weeks of home recovery and by the time they left I was pretty much on my own. Started driving again at 5 weeks and that gave me back my freedom.

Oxycontin was used for the first 3 weeks and then it was all about Tylenol to control pain.

As for now, my chest hurts like crazy. Heart surgeon said that its my nerve endings waking up and the pain will get worse before it gets better. Back to the Tylenol for me. I am recovering day by day and keep reading posts and daily updates from valvereplacement.org. I thought it was time to give you an update and send you all my best.

You will be completely fine soon . Wish you all the very best . My case I found it really hard until the first 6 months to drive due to the discomfort in my chest . Great going in your case

 

[CarolM]

On June 15, 2021,I had double heart valve replacement surgery. Both the aortic and mitral valve were replaced with tissue valves. The TEE/ECHO test previously had shown a blood clot so they stalled my surgery until the blood clot was gone. Well, on the day of surgery they discovered 2 blood clots and the doctor said it was a ‘stroke waiting to happen.’ So, my timing for surgery was pretty good. Originally the plan was for me to have the MAZE during this surgery but that was put on hold. I was in ICU for 3 days and for the next 5 days I was on the cardiac unit (I think.) They had us rolling into and out of bed. While in bed they often positioned me on my side and stuffed pillows into every empty crevasse.

I had family visit me for my first 3 weeks of home recovery and by the time they left I was pretty much on my own. Started driving again at 5 weeks and that gave me back my freedom.

Oxycontin was used for the first 3 weeks and then it was all about Tylenol to control pain.

As for now, my chest hurts like crazy. Heart surgeon said that its my nerve endings waking up and the pain will get worse before it gets better. Back to the Tylenol for me. I am recovering day by day and keep reading posts and daily updates from valvereplacement.org. I thought it was time to give you an update and send you all my best.

On June 15, 2021,I had double heart valve replacement surgery. Both the aortic and mitral valve were replaced with tissue valves. The TEE/ECHO test previously had shown a blood clot so they stalled my surgery until the blood clot was gone. Well, on the day of surgery they discovered 2 blood clots and the doctor said it was a ‘stroke waiting to happen.’ So, my timing for surgery was pretty good. Originally the plan was for me to have the MAZE during this surgery but that was put on hold. I was in ICU for 3 days and for the next 5 days I was on the cardiac unit (I think.) They had us rolling into and out of bed. While in bed they often positioned me on my side and stuffed pillows into every empty crevasse.

I had family visit me for my first 3 weeks of home recovery and by the time they left I was pretty much on my own. Started driving again at 5 weeks and that gave me back my freedom.

Oxycontin was used for the first 3 weeks and then it was all about Tylenol to control pain.

As for now, my chest hurts like crazy. Heart surgeon said that its my nerve endings waking up and the pain will get worse before it gets better. Back to the Tylenol for me. I am recovering day by day and keep reading posts and daily updates from valvereplacement.org. I thought it was time to give you an update and send you all my best.

Best wishes for an uneventful recovery, as the saying goes. Take it easy on yourself, slow and steady wins this race for sure.

 

[Blake777]

Glad you’re okay. I had a double valve surgery on June 18th and also got tissue valves for mitral and tricuspid. I did have a stroke the very next day but thank God it was a small one. Still have a numb big toe on left foot and three numb fingers on the left hand. But coming along just fine.