Sternotomy incision

[Paleowoman]

I had review with cardiologist today plus echo. I've at last found out why my sternum incision is nearly the full length of my sternum rather than the smaller incision that a "minimally invasive" incision is. The cardiologist had asked the surgeon and she had written that it was a "surgical necessity requiring standard procedure". it's a relief to know there was a reason. That may go some way to explain why I had such a lot of pain after surgery.

My echo results were good which pleased the cardiologist and me. My pressure gradient is back up to what it was pre-surgery at 79% so I'm pleased.

My blood pressure was way too high, at something like 160/86 - but this may be due to the pain I've got from dry socket complication from wisdom tooth extraction. Cardiologist didn't want to put me on anything for the blood pressure at the moment - nor do I. I'll see him again in six months.

 

[skeptic49]

Yes, Anne, I had a full sternotomy also, actually two of them five days apart, for the same reason: medical necessity. The difference is that I knew about it ahead of time. My surgeon told me that what I needed done required him to have full access to my anatomy. As it turns out, I needed even more work done once he got in there. So my second surgery was two weeks ago today. I am happy to say that my sternum is healing great. I can even sleep on my side and I use no pain meds at all. We're all different.

Jim

 

[Paleowoman]

Hi Jim - the thing is the surgeon had wanted to do 'minimally invasive' surgery, it wasn't something Id asked for, and in her Operation Notes it still says Mini AVR even though that's not what I had ! That was why I'd been so puzzled for over a year !

I don't mind my scar at all, I feel after all I've been through that it's a great trophy. I'm sure you'll appreciate that when you are recovered from your surgery….and wow, no paid meds and sleeping on your side ! Wonderful ! I had no pain meds afer one week but that was becasue they didn't work and gave me very bad side effects, so I had to endure the pain. I've found that most of the opiate pain meds, all the ones containing codeine (e.g. dihydrocodeine, co-codamol), as well as tramadol and hydrocodon, need a particular enzyme to make them work which about 7% of the population lack - I must be one of them because only morphine helps me, and morphine doesn't need that enzyme.

 

[big_L]

I really wanted a mini, but my surgeon refused. He said he wouldn't do it, but would refer me to someone that could. As we discussed it, his explanation was this: "it's very important that I get the valve in there and get it right the first time". Access allows me to do this. I was happy with this.

 

[Paleowoman]

Hi big_L - I'm happy with my incision, don't mind it at all BUT the surgeon keeps referring to my surgery as a "mini AVR" even though it wasn't ! and in the Operation Note there is no mention of the fact that she had to do a more standard procedure. I just need an explanation instead of medical people telling me I've had a mini when I haven't ! Now that my cardiologist has spoken to the surgeon and asked her directly at least we have an admission that she couldn't do a mini even though she keeps calling it that in her letters !

I am now going to write to her to ask her to make an addendum in the Operation Note as I think it's important that any future surgeon who performs a re-do knows why. I have a depressed sternum and maybe that's the reason why ?