Hi Allison -
Like you and Lionheart (John), I had a coarctation repair -- and mine was in '79 also; I was 17 years old. There are several members here with coarctation repairs. For me, I found that surgery to be extremely painful. Do you remember not even being able to move or lift your left arm at first -- at all? I could barely speak, I was horribly bruised, I was hunched over in pain when I walked the hospital corridors; it was much more traumatic than I expected. Seven years ago was the first valve replacement I've had and I didn't find it nearly as painful, no comparison at all to the coarctation repair. That said, my overall recovery took longer for my valve replacement, whether because of age or because of the heart actually being cut into, I'm not sure. But I was amazed also at how much better I felt with the new properly working valve. I hope it will go so well for you too.
I had one drain the first time and don't remember it being pulled; but I had two drain tubes this time and I asked for a little extra pain medication before they pulled them, because I read it could hurt. So they ended up not hurting a bit, with that pain medication. I was out of the hospital in a week and only took Extra-strength Tylenol for the next week (no other pain medication) and only the Tylenol because I had pain when I did my spirometer exercises.
I didn't have any coughs but my first sneeze, several weeks post-op, caught me by surprise -- and :eek2: did it hurt! But that kind of pain is easily remedied if you hold a pillow, or even your arms, up to your chest.
Hoping this was helpful and encouraging and that your surgery and recovery will go very well. Best wishes
Like you and Lionheart (John), I had a coarctation repair -- and mine was in '79 also; I was 17 years old. There are several members here with coarctation repairs. For me, I found that surgery to be extremely painful. Do you remember not even being able to move or lift your left arm at first -- at all? I could barely speak, I was horribly bruised, I was hunched over in pain when I walked the hospital corridors; it was much more traumatic than I expected. Seven years ago was the first valve replacement I've had and I didn't find it nearly as painful, no comparison at all to the coarctation repair. That said, my overall recovery took longer for my valve replacement, whether because of age or because of the heart actually being cut into, I'm not sure. But I was amazed also at how much better I felt with the new properly working valve. I hope it will go so well for you too.
I had one drain the first time and don't remember it being pulled; but I had two drain tubes this time and I asked for a little extra pain medication before they pulled them, because I read it could hurt. So they ended up not hurting a bit, with that pain medication. I was out of the hospital in a week and only took Extra-strength Tylenol for the next week (no other pain medication) and only the Tylenol because I had pain when I did my spirometer exercises.
I didn't have any coughs but my first sneeze, several weeks post-op, caught me by surprise -- and :eek2: did it hurt! But that kind of pain is easily remedied if you hold a pillow, or even your arms, up to your chest.
Hoping this was helpful and encouraging and that your surgery and recovery will go very well. Best wishes
