cewilk
Well-known member
Well I would've posted an update a little sooner but I honestly just didn't feel like it, haha.
So I had my second OHS last Thursday on 15 January. I chose a mechanical valve this time (ended up getting the ATS....St. Judes was first option but doc said he didn't like the way it was going to fit once he was operating), and I also had my ascending aortic aneurysm fixed. I spend 5 days in the hospital post op and was back home on the 20th. The first two days after surgery I recall being in more pain than I was last time, however by the fourth and final day I was in the hospital I was feeling pretty awesome (under the circumstances). Being only 26 yrs old and in pretty good shape before surgery truly has it's advantages.
My last two nights at home I have actually slept really well and haven't needed much pain medication at all. I can pretty much walk and stand for as long as I want right now, and I'm able to climb the stairs in my house with no problem (other than a quickly elevated heart rate which I know to be normal). My INR is still too low, so working to get it in the 2.5-3.0 range right now. Had my first blood test yesterday and will be going back on the 26th for another blood test. Once I get therapeutic I do intend on looking in to getting a home test kit.
I am already able to pretty much max out the incentive spirometer on every breath now. Starting Sunday, I'll be mooching off my girlfriend's gym membership and going to start bouncing around different stationary cardio equipment.
Overall, I'm feeling really good for a week out. Better than I remember feeling last time on the first OHS. I feel confident that my mechanical valve was the right choice this time (only got 2 1/2 years from my Ross Procedure), and I can't wait to be fully healed and hopefully get in the best shape of my life.
So I had my second OHS last Thursday on 15 January. I chose a mechanical valve this time (ended up getting the ATS....St. Judes was first option but doc said he didn't like the way it was going to fit once he was operating), and I also had my ascending aortic aneurysm fixed. I spend 5 days in the hospital post op and was back home on the 20th. The first two days after surgery I recall being in more pain than I was last time, however by the fourth and final day I was in the hospital I was feeling pretty awesome (under the circumstances). Being only 26 yrs old and in pretty good shape before surgery truly has it's advantages.
My last two nights at home I have actually slept really well and haven't needed much pain medication at all. I can pretty much walk and stand for as long as I want right now, and I'm able to climb the stairs in my house with no problem (other than a quickly elevated heart rate which I know to be normal). My INR is still too low, so working to get it in the 2.5-3.0 range right now. Had my first blood test yesterday and will be going back on the 26th for another blood test. Once I get therapeutic I do intend on looking in to getting a home test kit.
I am already able to pretty much max out the incentive spirometer on every breath now. Starting Sunday, I'll be mooching off my girlfriend's gym membership and going to start bouncing around different stationary cardio equipment.
Overall, I'm feeling really good for a week out. Better than I remember feeling last time on the first OHS. I feel confident that my mechanical valve was the right choice this time (only got 2 1/2 years from my Ross Procedure), and I can't wait to be fully healed and hopefully get in the best shape of my life.
