Stupid question, I know .... but

[Der Biermeister]

humor me please.

I know that immediately after the surgery (AVR and bypass) and for days to come, i will be in a fair amount of bone, muscle, and soft tissue pain.

BUT -- what about my heart?
Am I going to notice an immediate improvement in its function and maybe rid myself of Angina?

 

[geebee]

If the angina is being caused by what you are getting fixed, there should be an immediate improvement. However, the surgery pain might mask that somewhat. You should notice better circulation immediately.

There are no stupid questions - only stupid answers.

 

[Lotti]

Better than before

Better than before

Hi...After my avr not only was I not so breathless, but a much warmer person. I keep going out dressed for the cold and then have to carry my coat.
I am still very tired....7 weeks post op and have aches and pains everywhere, I have been told that these aches etc could last for months, but after rehab, I should be better than before. I don't wheeze anymore or faint or collapse which is great.

Hope all goes fantastically for you
Take care

Lotti

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Actually, most of us experience various levels of "DISCOMFORT" as opposed to PAIN, except for occassional Muscle Pain which can come on suddenly and build in intensity.

Many of us report that MASSAGE is much Faster and Better than pain medication for muscle pains.

IF you experience chest / bone pain, TELL the NURSE immediately and she should be able to administer appropriate pain medication. Your surgeon will want you to be Pain FREE (as much as possible) to promote rest and faster healing. Many patients are released on nothing stronger than Tylenol with good results.

Cardiac Rehab is recommended after week 6 to help restore flexibility and muscle tone, assuming your insurance will cover it (CHECK FIRST !).

'AL Capshaw'

 

[tobagotwo]

Rachel nailed it.

Apart from part of one night, I really didn't suffer. Others have been very unhappy. My pain was well managed with Fentanyl, instead of morphine, so I wasn't in real pain, and I didn't have the morphine nausea or constipation.

I felt better immediately, and light as a feather. I mean next morning. It felt like a great weight had been lifted off of me. My heart felt like it was coasting. I have pictures of me three days after the operation, standing outside my house in a disco-type pose with an open shirt, to take a picture for my mother that showed the stitches and that I was all right.

But alas, not true for everyone. Sometimes there are things that happen, like fluid buildup or bad arrhythmias that can make the hospital time miserable. While I believe attitude and willingness to get up and move play into it when there are no other setbacks, it's a different animal for everyone.

Best wishes,

 

[KristiinSD]

My course was very different

My course was very different

I had my surgery robitically on 11/30/05. I had some complications which landed back in the hospital after I had been home three days. Interestingly, I felt much stronger on my second homecoming, but no where near what I was hoping woudl be the result of surgery...Actually, for several weeks I felt that surgery had been a bust; I was in worse shape then when I went in. On Groundhog's day, I felt that I was back to my old self and then I started cardiac rehab. I would have started earlier, but that was when they could get me in. Now, 4 months later, I feel better than I did before surgery!

The upshot of this long missive...its over when its over. I think keep an open mind and realize that it might take a lot longer than you expect to feel good.

Kristi
46 yrs.
mitral repair 11/30/05

 

[Der Biermeister]

I hear you all -- thanks, at least I won't expect too much, too soon now. I think I can use Bill Clinton as a visible example. He sure looked like hell for a long time, but now he appears healthy again.

 

[Der Biermeister]

Rachel -- the walking should not (hopefully) be a problem. I am a walker -- have been for the last 15 years.

My recent horror tale in the hospital with the hemoraghing and mild heart attack (one week in the hospital) - I never once stayed in bed. I spent all day up in a chair or walking around my room. I even brought my 5000 ml inspirator from home so I could keep track on any fluid buildup behind my lungs (the hospital only had a 2500 ml). For the last year, AI has caused me to take tremendous amounts of diuretics, countered with tremendous amounts of Potassium, to keep my lungs free and clear.

Since I've been home (one week now), knowing my heart function is sliding, I still managed to stay active. I walked 1 1/2 miles on Monday, and 3 miles on Tuesday, Wednesday, and yesterday. Going for another 3 miles today at 3 PM. Admittedly, I haven't been walking as fast as before, but I refuse to lay down.

So ... Unless I am totally kidding myself, I know I will be clammering to get out of bed asap in the hospital -- AND MOVING AROUND.

 

[hensylee]

you won't be on top of the world, that's for sure, especially if you have to fight the Mack Truck that's on the way up the mountain. Many of us do. You'll be in pain, but you'll have meds for that, but it'll be surgical pain that decreases daily. If you are in good physical condition now, you should be ok to be up walking on second day. Not to worry, they'll be watching you like a hawk. There's a team that comes by often.

Shortness of breath? Well, you'll be weak and it's part of that. I still had it for awhile, but when strength comes back, so does everything else.

 

[tobagotwo]

I'm glad to hear you're a walker. In my view, after surgery the speed isn't nearly as important as the movement. You're operating your lymphatic system when you walk, which helps you heal by moving the lymph along. This reduces swelling and inflammation.

At this point, you want to stay capable, but extra exercise or heavy exercise is more apt to do harm than good. Walk, but don't push yourself. You're going to love walking again after your heart starts to recover.

If I wasn't clear in the other thread, you will feel much better after the surgery. It may not be instant, but you will definitely be glad you did it. It should help your situation tremendously.

I know you're concerned about how the surgery will go. But you'll do all right. It will go faster than you think. If you're confident in your surgeon's abilities, you can let go a little, and leave it up to him. Somewhere around the time you actually go in, you may just find yourself giving over the responsibility to them anyway, and it is a tremendous load off your mind. It creates a great peace within you.

As far as looking forward, males should know that "pelvic steal" is a common side effect of advancing valve disease, and that it usually goes away after successful valve surgery.

Best wishes,

 

[Der Biermeister]

Thanks all -- good stuff!