New here-1 month post mitral valve replacement

[Joya]

I’ve looked around this forum and decided to join. I have a lot more questions as time pases, because I thought “minimally invasive” meant quick recovery, minimally painful, and minimal problems, lol.

Right now my immediate questions are about travel and cardiac rehab. I live in Central America on a fairly remote farm and was planning on returning for the holidays. My cardiologist wants me to start cardio rehab, which I just learned is a 12 week program. Can this be safely postponed until after the holidays? I would need to make living arrangements to be in the US for a solid three-month period.

 

[pellicle]

Hi Joya and welcome

because I thought “minimally invasive” meant quick recovery, minimally painful, and minimal problems, lol.

yeah, I think there is far too much "sales pitch" on stuff over there (that whole continent right down to the lowest tip of Chile

My cardiologist wants me to start cardio rehab, which I just learned is a 12 week program. Can this be safely postponed until after the holidays?

there was no such thing as Cardiac rehab on the 3 OHS's I've had ('74, '92, '11) and I just followed through with exersize myself and used basic tools like checking my HR, not going harder than I felt and so on. Heck there was nothing like metoprolol or other beta blockers either. For reference I'm 60 now.

These things (rehab) take time and really in the first few weeks I think the best rehab is walking and keeping active and deep slow (think yoga) breathing.

As I'm walking I breath in as deep as I can (per step: in -2, 3, 4, 5, 6 then out 2, 3, 4 ...)

So yes, I believe you'll be fine without it.
Slow and steady wins the "race"

Best wishes