Post Op thread

AmyR · Jul 26, 2013

Okay guys this is my 6 week follow up update. My heart seems to be recovering good. The doc says i am good to go to the gym but weights not exceeding 8kgs (its not bad as long as i can start

) He says no jumping or doing crazy stuff for which i am okay. I will be off the warf, and hopefully shouldn have any probs. Meds are still the same, good part i feel myself back to normal (almost). Except for a bit of pains and a few skipped beats once in a while i am good. For the people in the waiting room guys its not as bad as we think it to be. and for my fellow valver's thanks for being my support,You have inspired me to a good recovery. Will keep updating. Loads of hugs and love. Keep smiling.

epstns · Jul 29, 2013

Thanks for the update, Amyr. It is always great to hear that someone is doing so well. It truly helps those in The Waiting Room to realize that not only is there life after vavle replacement, but also that life is even better after. Keep up the great work, and keep us posted.

clawie1 · Jul 31, 2013

epstns said:
Vision issues are quite common after valve surgery. Some attribute the issues to "debris" caused by the heart/lung machine, which can block some of the tiny capillaries in the eye for short periods of time. This causes what feels like muscle cramps in the eye and may result in vision disturbances. As long as the incidents are short and not frequent, I would just mention them the next time you see your cardio. If they get to be too frequent or too painful, it could be a sign of more serious blockage and need medical attention. I am over 2 years post-op and still have these incidents once in a while. Mine are sometimes just like muscle cramps in the eyes, making it difficult to focus clearly at certain distances. If it happened while driving, I would still be able to see well enough to drive safely.

I can attest to the vision incidents. Once I was out of ICU, I started sending texts but they all went to the wrong people!! Oh well Clawie1 aka Nita

AmyR · Aug 6, 2013

Another update. I am 8 weeks post op and i am back to the gym.

i dont really do too much weights but should be back to my immediate pre op routine ( The restricted routine) soon. I started of with normal warm ups at 6 weeks post op. Now i do about 5 sets 10 reps of wall push ups. started with standing close to the wall after a week i stand at almost a 60 deg to the wall. Then i do my lat pull downs at 15kgs and do 3 sets of 10 reps. i hold a plain rod ( weighs about 5 kgs) for bicep and tricep routine. then i do dumbbells of 5 kg weights each for 3 sets, 7 reps for both bicep curl and shoulder lift. It has been good as of now though i get that horrible back pain by the evening cause of it. The pain pulls from the upper back to the shoulders and down my arms but yeah i did not stop cause of the pain and now i feel the pain reducing. May be my muscles needed a little warming up. Hope it helps you guys too. All the best. Keep smiling and obviously keep living.

Agian · Aug 6, 2013

Good on you, Amy. You're only young once; make the most of it.

epstns · Aug 7, 2013

I think you have a good routine, AmyR. I do a similar group in the mornings - curls, shoulder lifts, lat pulls and push-ups. (Can't do sit-ups because of a repaired hernia.) I find that this combo, along with cardio (stationary bike and power walking) in the afternoons, helps me to stay in reasonable shape without risk of over-doing it. Stay with it and build gradually, then you will look back and find that you've passed your pre-op capabilities without realizing it.