OHS Scheduled for April

[shann675]

Hello,

I am a 27 year old female, I have congenital Mitral Valve Stenosis - I'll spare you the details on how and why I've gone this long without getting my MV fixed or repaired, but it wasn't until this December they confirmed it was congenital. I am a Crossfit athlete, and had to give up crossfit in October due to changes in my MV, narrowing even more, and had been instructed no weights, or strain on my heart, and no activity that makes me short of breath.

I am now scheduled for OHS to replace my mitral valve with a mechanical valve on April 18th, 2014 at Massachusetts General in Boston. I have been doing yoga now 2x a week, and little things at home, like sit ups, push ups, pull ups, squats and lunges etc. a few times a week too to try to keep some muscle tone that I still do have - it obviously takes me very long to complete any of these things because of how short of breath I become after just 2 push ups, or 1 pull up...many breaks in between!

So my question to everyone or the advice I am looking for - what is post-op like...what's the time line look for to getting up and around, walking, and even the long run of when is it possible to really get back into lifting weights and being competitive in the gym again? When I stopped Crossfit, I was backsquating about 145 I believe my last PR was, and deadlifting 200..I am a petite girl, about 5'0 and was weighing around 142 - since stopping crossfit in October I have put weight back on due to such limited cardio I can do, but surprisingly clothes are still fitting. SO I am very eager to have an idea in my head of how many weeks or months out till I will really be back to myself after surgery.

Any tips on best things to do after surgery too, I see people say lots of walking. Are stairs okay? My bedroom is actually down a set of stairs at home, so i am wondering too if it is possible to even go down and up when coming home from hospital, or staying in the spare bedroom on the main floor is better at first?

Any input is greatly appreciated! I plan to actually track my progress after surgery, and even start a blog leading up to and then afterwards too. My case has been so unique and it's been literally a heartbreaking thing to go through recently at this age, so I'm hoping to blog and help other people who may be going through this at such a young age.

Thanks!

Shannon

 

[clay_from_nj]

They'll probably have you walking within a day after surgery. Ordinarily, the limiting factor with exercise after surgery is not heart so much as the incision and split sternum, so flys will be out for a little while. If all goes well, you'll probably be back to lifting within a couple of months and competing as soon as you get back into shape (a year?) My aortic valve was so bad that my symptoms were similar to yours, extremely limited, short of breath, etc, and I wasn't in good shape to begin with. Over this past spring, summer, and autumn, I bicycled 50 miles or so per week, lift at the gym 3-5 times a week, and am training for my second 5K. I think with your background you'll be unstoppable. Don't be surprised if after a couple of days you feel like they gave you superpowers while you were out.

If a relatively old man like me can come back and beyond as much as I have, a young lady like you will be absolutely kicking A$$!

 

[shann675]

Oh wow this is good to know clay_from_nj! Yes I am bit uncomfortable and cringe at the thought of the incision and how my sternum will be after surgery, knowing me I probably won't even want to look at the incision. Here's another question, is it something they stitch up, staple or what? And something I'd have to go back to have those stitches or staples removed? That thought makes me cringe too...

It's good to hear that you have bounced back very well and are even more active now, I really really look forward to it! I know my coach and a few other athletes have already written me saying they can't wait to go head to head again in competitions, so I look back to previous capabilities and can only imagine how much better I may perform without the struggles I had before with breathing.

 

[clay_from_nj]

It's funny, my first OHS, many years ago, involved stitches and bandages and all kinds of care for the incision. After my AVR, they just glued the skin together, no stitches, no bandages, no blood. I woke up after surgery to a thin red line down my chest. The only special care involved was being extra careful washing it for the first few days. They used some dissolving sutures on me for some of the layers below the skin and after a couple of days some tiny thread ends poked out through my skin, like stiff hairs. When I went back to visit my surgeon, a nurse just plucked a couple out with a tweezer and left a couple to fall off in a day or two on their own.

Partly due to being a guy, I guess, and partly because I've had a scar for about as long as I can remember, it doesn't bother me at all. There's another member on these forums, of course I can't remember her name, who's a very pretty young lady who had a picture of herself with a low cut top showing off her scar. I personally think it looks downright sexy on her. There was another female member who referred to her scar as a "cleavage enhancer", so there's definitely a positive side to it. And, some people's scars have nearly disappeared after a couple of years.

And your sternum, once it has healed, will be stronger than ever, what with the stainless steel reinforcing wire. I think you'll do just great.

-Clay

 

[Freddie]

I had no choice but to do the stairs when I got home. Bathroom and bedroom are upstairs. And was told that it was okay but not to use my arms on the hand rail, "only use your legs and one step at a time". So I 'hugged' myself going 'up' and 'down' the stairs, so you could practice that.

Opening the fridge door, lifting a milk container and reaching above your shoulders can be a no-no after surgery, plus being rather pain full.

I had stitches, they all dissolved except for the knot at the top of the incision, which I had the doctor pull out at follow-up appointment.

 

[AZ Don]

You mention that you were instructed not to do anything that makes you short of breath, yet you are doing exercises that make you short of breath. You will be having surgery soon so it seems you have little to gain and perhaps much to lose by doing exercises that could be risky to your long term health. The surgery and recovery will be over in a few months and then you will be able to do the exercises that you really want to do.

As was stated above, you will be up and walking the day after surgery. I was walking about a mile a day when I came home and was told not to increase for the first month, which was frustrating. It is likely that you will feel like doing more than you are allowed to, but you have to give your sternum and your heart time to heal. You may also be quite anemic as many are after OHS. Generally the ok for more serious exercise is not until 2-3 months. I was given the ok to start swimming after 2 months which was earlier than I expected. I had no problems with it, but I started easy.

You may be interested in the thread of a competitive powerlifter who returned to competition after OHS. Here is his post recovery story: http://www.valvereplacement.org/forums/showthread.php?40352-More-gym-goodness-8-week-update

Here is another thread that also asked about athletes post surgery experience: http://www.valvereplacement.org/for...r-recovery-program-and-thoughts-after-surgery

Regarding stairs, I expect you could go up or down when you get home, but you may not want to do it too often the first week. Sleeping flat can be uncomfortable so some use a lot of pillows or a recliner - something that may influence whether you want to stay up or down. I used a recliner.

As anything else, you should ask your Dr's about your limitations and discuss your plans. I was told by a couple Dr's how young I was, and I was 51 when I had surgery. Some Dr's may not realize the level of activity a young athlete is planning to do.

 

[shann675]

You mention that you were instructed not to do anything that makes you short of breath, yet you are doing exercises that make you short of breath. You will be having surgery soon so it seems you have little to gain and perhaps much to lose by doing exercises that could be risky to your long term health. The surgery and recovery will be over in a few months and then you will be able to do the exercises that you really want to do.

As was stated above, you will be up and walking the day after surgery. I was walking about a mile a day when I came home and was told not to increase for the first month, which was frustrating. It is likely that you will feel like doing more than you are allowed to, but you have to give your sternum and your heart time to heal. You may also be quite anemic as many are after OHS. Generally the ok for more serious exercise is not until 2-3 months. I was given the ok to start swimming after 2 months which was earlier than I expected. I had no problems with it, but I started easy.

You may be interested in the thread of a competitive powerlifter who returned to competition after OHS. Here is his post recovery story: http://www.valvereplacement.org/forums/showthread.php?40352-More-gym-goodness-8-week-update

Here is another thread that also asked about athletes post surgery experience: http://www.valvereplacement.org/for...r-recovery-program-and-thoughts-after-surgery

Regarding stairs, I expect you could go up or down when you get home, but you may not want to do it too often the first week. Sleeping flat can be uncomfortable so some use a lot of pillows or a recliner - something that may influence whether you want to stay up or down. I used a recliner.

As anything else, you should ask your Dr's about your limitations and discuss your plans. I was told by a couple Dr's how young I was, and I was 51 when I had surgery. Some Dr's may not realize the level of activity a young athlete is planning to do.

Thanks for the Input! I guess I should have been clearer, my doctor instructed me to stop crossfit, but to stay active, so yoga, Pilates, walking, and those small at home work outs I have been doing are okay. I just have to take it slow. I'll do a couple push ups then stop and wait a minute before I do more so I do not become out of breath. I've been told I can be active but that my stopping point is when I become short of breath, so they told me to just take my time. The way my mitral valve is and the chamber it is creating a parachute type affect, where my blood pools and waits to funnel down the valve because the valve is so narrowed, so it does make for me to get short of breath quicker. Believe me I am playing it safe and would not do something to jeopardize my health at this point.

I will definitely have to check out those links you posted, that will be great to read up on and hear about the success some people have after recovery. It took a few doctors to understand the actual activity I do, I lucked out when I met with a specialist in Boston and he too crossfits so he immediately knew what I spoke of and was the one who was able to lay out a better plan of what I can do till surgery and encouraged me to stay as active as I can right now within my limits as he said it will help me going into surgery if I maintain the muscle I do have now.

Good call on the Recliner, I think I'll be utilizing our recliner a lot at first too to just be as comfortable as possible! Thanks again!

 

[shann675]

I had no choice but to do the stairs when I got home. Bathroom and bedroom are upstairs. And was told that it was okay but not to use my arms on the hand rail, "only use your legs and one step at a time". So I 'hugged' myself going 'up' and 'down' the stairs, so you could practice that.

Opening the fridge door, lifting a milk container and reaching above your shoulders can be a no-no after surgery, plus being rather pain full.

I had stitches, they all dissolved except for the knot at the top of the incision, which I had the doctor pull out at follow-up appointment.

Good idea! I'll have to try that with the stairs! I read before too about not holding the railing! So many everyday daily activities we are so used to doing that I'll have to make a conscious effort not to and ask for help! I'll be interested to see what I end up with, stitches or as one mentioned before, his second operation his was glued back. Amazing what they can do now a days!

 

[shann675]

It's funny, my first OHS, many years ago, involved stitches and bandages and all kinds of care for the incision. After my AVR, they just glued the skin together, no stitches, no bandages, no blood. I woke up after surgery to a thin red line down my chest. The only special care involved was being extra careful washing it for the first few days. They used some dissolving sutures on me for some of the layers below the skin and after a couple of days some tiny thread ends poked out through my skin, like stiff hairs. When I went back to visit my surgeon, a nurse just plucked a couple out with a tweezer and left a couple to fall off in a day or two on their own.

Partly due to being a guy, I guess, and partly because I've had a scar for about as long as I can remember, it doesn't bother me at all. There's another member on these forums, of course I can't remember her name, who's a very pretty young lady who had a picture of herself with a low cut top showing off her scar. I personally think it looks downright sexy on her. There was another female member who referred to her scar as a "cleavage enhancer", so there's definitely a positive side to it. And, some people's scars have nearly disappeared after a couple of years.

And your sternum, once it has healed, will be stronger than ever, what with the stainless steel reinforcing wire. I think you'll do just great.

-Clay

Wow clay that is amazing what they can do now a days! I would definitely prefer the sounds of the glue! Seems it was much less of a hassle afterwards for you!

Lol very true about cleavage enhancer! A few friends of mine already commented about how great it'll be I get to rock this scar in my bathing suit this summer. I really hope to embrace it, I mean it'll be a symbol of my strength and part of my story of something I've dealt with for 20 years and now overcome! I definitely plan once it is healed to not hide it and still wear my normal blouses, tops, bathing suits etc. Whether it shows or not!

 

[AZ Don]

Believe me I am playing it safe and would not do something to jeopardize my health at this point.

Glad to hear it. What luck to find a Dr. that does Crossfit and can provide good exercise advise.

 

[spartangator]

Welcome, Shannon. You'll appreciate the story of the wonderful Ingrid Kantola and her approach to Crossfit after mitral valve surgery: http://espn.go.com/espnw/journeys-victories/7792843/ingrid-kantola-hearts-crossfit. She's also a class person.
All the best next month. Looking forward to stories of your future successes.
--Brad

 

[bocco]

Shannon,

All of the advice here is dead on. My addition would be to get off of the pain meds as soon as you can. Pain is your body telling you to stop doing something. You want to listen.

I walked my neighborhood for 5 weeks and finally got bored and headed back to the gym. Started building up time on the cardio machines. Did light leg and back work and started adding muscle groups from there. Obviously your chest is the last muscle group to work on and very light when you do.

You will be back and sooner than you think.

Gary

 

[ski girl]

Shann I was an athlete too pre-OHS (ocean paddling) and you'll find that being young and fit and healthy will help your recovery immeasurably. You'll be more motivated than most people to get out of your hospital bed ASAP and start marching around the halls!

My advice to you is for goodness sake listen to the restrictions on use of your upper body after surgery! I pushed too hard by starting to do some light weights at three weeks post-op and as a result my sternum pain never went away. I had a redo (acute endocarditis) 11 months after my first OHS and I was so sick I was in hopsital for a month and anemic for another month so I was forced to obey the restrictions. And . . . no pain anymore. It was worth the atrophy!

Best of luck from down under!!

 

[MtBiker]

Shannon,

I went into surgery in good shape - riding 25 to 60 miles 4 or 5 times a week - and everyone told me I'd do great in recovery. I did do great, but great wasn't what I thought it was. I think it's important to be clear to yourself that this is a major surgery so a quick recovery is somewhere between 6 months and a year. That said, the first month was tough, but after that I started making steady (if slower than I would have liked) progress and I felt reasonably good. At 4 months, I did a three day ride of about 30 to 40 miles a day and felt fine. I was riding slower than usual, but I was riding. At 9 months right now, I feel great, though my endurance is probably about 70% of what it was. I expect it will come back, but I'm learning to be more patient.

Good luck and stay positive.

 

[SumoRunner]

Let's take a long view. Over several years there will be ups and downs in your fitness. You'll have to contend with illness, injury, family and career responsibilities, sometimes just a loss of motivation. Here's a list of my annual total running mileage. Can you tell me by looking at this - no fair looking at the signature below - the year in which I had a valve replaced?

1978 652.2
1979 624.1
1980 713.6
1981 1042.0
1982 1500.1
1983 1509.7
1984 1354.6
1985 1449.5
1986 1335.6
1987 1021.8
1988 877.2
1989 1515.1
1990 1280.3
1991 788.3
1992 807.1
1993 1049.1
1994 1021.5
1995 1154.9
1996 1021.8
1997 890.9
1998 914.8
1999 1143.9
2000 1002.6
2001 1052.2
2002 1038.4
2003 535.6
2004 1002.7
2005 778.1
2006 877.3
2007 833.9
2008 1033.1
2009 1200.0
2010 923.9
2011 625.4
2012 1037.8
2013 943.3