BAV/PDS
New member
Hello to all fellow Bav posters and readers. I have been reading this forum for a few years and finally decided to post my story, hoping to help others as I have been.
My Story:
I am 44 years old, found BAV at 37 years during normal physical with family Dr. I had no symptoms at the time, just figured it had been 15+ years since I had seen a Dr.
On May 21, 2014 I had a St. Judes Trifect 27mm bovine pericardia aortic valve replace my severely calcified aortic valve. My procedure was conducted at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan, performed by Jeffery Altshuler with minimally invasive incisions (no sernotomy).
At 12 days post op, I feel very little pain, I have been up walking since the morning after my surgery. I have immediately felt a difference in my physical performance. Pre-op, I could only walk 100ft when chest tightness, jaw pain and shortness of breath appeared. I am now walking over 1 mile on each excursion. I feel no pain or tightness and no shortness of breath. The most difficult part now will be to not over do any physical activity. At 44 years old, I am very active, physically fit and have a very active 9 year old son and beautiful wife.
Differences between minimally invasive and a sternotomy appear to be in the recovery time. I have two ribs (under right collar bone) that were pulled from the cartilage of the sternum that cause discomfort. As long as I hold them down during a heavy cough or sneeze, I feel minimal discomfort. I chose biological valve for two reasons: 1) I am younger and active and worried about internal injuries while on blood thinner and 2) I qualified for Minimally Invasive Surgery. The thought of going through another procedure worries me, but I have hope of technology advancements making the next procedure much easier.
I just want to say to all posters, Thank You, this forum has helped me make many decisions and ease my mind as the time neared for the AVR.
Paul
My Story:
I am 44 years old, found BAV at 37 years during normal physical with family Dr. I had no symptoms at the time, just figured it had been 15+ years since I had seen a Dr.
On May 21, 2014 I had a St. Judes Trifect 27mm bovine pericardia aortic valve replace my severely calcified aortic valve. My procedure was conducted at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan, performed by Jeffery Altshuler with minimally invasive incisions (no sernotomy).
At 12 days post op, I feel very little pain, I have been up walking since the morning after my surgery. I have immediately felt a difference in my physical performance. Pre-op, I could only walk 100ft when chest tightness, jaw pain and shortness of breath appeared. I am now walking over 1 mile on each excursion. I feel no pain or tightness and no shortness of breath. The most difficult part now will be to not over do any physical activity. At 44 years old, I am very active, physically fit and have a very active 9 year old son and beautiful wife.
Differences between minimally invasive and a sternotomy appear to be in the recovery time. I have two ribs (under right collar bone) that were pulled from the cartilage of the sternum that cause discomfort. As long as I hold them down during a heavy cough or sneeze, I feel minimal discomfort. I chose biological valve for two reasons: 1) I am younger and active and worried about internal injuries while on blood thinner and 2) I qualified for Minimally Invasive Surgery. The thought of going through another procedure worries me, but I have hope of technology advancements making the next procedure much easier.
I just want to say to all posters, Thank You, this forum has helped me make many decisions and ease my mind as the time neared for the AVR.
Paul
