upcoming valve surgery

[john briggs]

I'm a very worried guy> I am due for mitral valve replacement surgery and bypass repair in a couple of weeks. I had bypass doble in 1990. Trouble is, I've been smoking-only a few a day. I resumed smoking after my bypass in 1995 when my son developed cancer and subsequently died. Been smoking lightly ever since. Now I'm facing mitral valve replacement and bypass repair in a couple of weeks. I've stopped smoking today. What are my chances?
JohnB

 

[JBriau]

John:

I personally have not had a bypass done. I have
had my mitral valve replaced and am waiting to
have my aortic replaced. I did share a hospital bed
with a lady who has had 4 open heart surgeries.
The last time she had a valve replaced and a bypass.
She said it was taking longer to recover but had no
complications. She was also in her sixties. She had
a will to live. I keep going by having a postivie attitude.
I imagine somebody willl be along shortly who can help
you out.

Best wishes
Judy

 

[Perrster]

Welcome

Welcome

John,

Welcome to vr.com. You will find a bunch of good, experienced people here who have "been there and done that."

I don't have much to say about your smoking habit, but I think you should consider quitting for good! Valve replacement surgery is practically a routine operation these days, although us valvee's are still a minority compared to bypasser's.

Your name really struck me as my best friend in HS was named John Briggs.

Welcome again.

Cheers!

 

[Johnny Stephens]

Welcome, John

Welcome, John

Hello John, and welcome to the group!

Presumably the risk from smoking has been factored in to the decision on when to operate. Since you've now stopped, if you can stay nicotine-free, this will only be good for your heart.

What type of valve replacement are you having, and are you going mechanical or tissue?

Best of luck to you in your surgery, and if you relax and let them take care of you, you'll do just fine.

 

[sylviayasgur]

hi john!
welcome to this wonderful site. everyone here is so caring, helpful and informative.
about the smoking... i'm a former smoker and i can relate to how hard it is to quit. have you tried other ways? patch? nicorette? zyban? (i quit 18 yrs ago not knowing i was pregnant_ couldn't stand the smoke and i never resumed the habit).
it is really important that you stop smoking though. please try and put your mind to it. this is a great place to come for support.
you are my dad's age and he had valve/bypass surgery done 3 yrs ago, thank God, and is fine.
please don't worry about the surgery so much. when is it being done?
wishing you all the best of luck in quitting and hoping you will keep us posted and up to date on how you are doing.
be well, sylvia

 

[Bill Hall]

John - Welcome to this site. I remember reading where your body will clear itself from smoking damage quickly after you quit. I suppose if you are a light smoker quiting weeks before surgery will do you a lot of good. One guy who was my roomate was pretty old and came through this surgery very well. I think you will come through too. Good luck since quitting smoking can't be easy with this surgery coming up. You have a strong reason to quit now, so hopefully that will help.

 

[McCln]

Hi John!

Hi John!

Oh my goodness, another John in my life. I have a brother named John, a half-brother named John and had an uncle named John. Too many Johns' in the world. I am just funning here. You have picked a good place to come to for answers to those questions. I myself was a former smoker. Did not take long for me to quit. My mind was made up once I was told about bypass, it was September 13, 2001. It is best to quit before surgery because you can't be too sure of how long you will be in there. And you will be too sore to more too much. So I would advise you to quit smoking. It will make the stay easier and you will get more rest. I am sure you remember breathing easier after the first time you quit. And please, when you do quit, stick to it. And be determined to quit. That is what helped me. Just hang in there and be postive. It is not easy to quit a bad habit, and go to message boards, they are the most friendly people on this earth. They are always helpful. Hang in there and keep trying and let us know your surgery date.

Caroline
09-13-01
Aortic valve replacement
St. Jude's valve

 

[john briggs]

smoking and mitral op

smoking and mitral op

Dear Posters: Thanks for all the supportive replies. We form a community that stretches across the globe-isn't it amazing! I am here in Australia, "Down Under" and talking to a group of people having bypass and valve treatment in the US. I have not as yet found out a way to reply individually to each post in the thread, but the system seems to be very good.
I go in next Friday for "Pre-Admission". This takes the full day and they do various tests and give you an X-Ray. I'm on a blood thinning aspirin so I have to be off that for 10days before I'm admitted. We have a very good public Hospital system over here with costs covered by Public Finance (Taxes) as well as a Private Insurance system. I am only on the public system, so the procedure will cost me nothing-it's all covered by the Government. However, the level of care is still very good and the nursing staff very good as well.
This is Day 2 without the cigarettes and I am missing them, but not too bad. I live in Sydney, and the Hospital is St George Public Hospital. It is also a teaching hospital so we will heve lots of trainee doctors examining us to refine their skills.
One poster had a fgriend called John Briggs. What a coincidence! I don't know of any relatives in the States.
I'm having a mitral valve replacement. They found it leaking when I had an abdominal aortic aneurism operation in 1996. The valve will be titanium and I'll have to be on Warfarin from then on, although I do believe that a new drug has just been developed that does not have the side effects of warfarin and there is no need for the blood tests and adjustments.
Once again, thanks for all the comfort you have provided me. Post again
John Briggs

 

[Nancy]

HI John-

Welcome to this wonderful site. You'll love it here, there are so many friendly and helpful people. You'll learn a great deal about what they are going to do to help your heart and give you a new lease on life. Everyone here understands what you are facing and we'll be there for you. So ask as many questions as you want, you'll get lots of answes.

My husband is 70 years old and has had 3 valve surgeries, 2 lung surgeries, a pacemaker and a few other things that he feels were much worse than open heart surgery. He made it through and so will you. The one thing to remember is that the surgeons who do this are very dedicated to what they do, are very well trained and are meticulous in their review of the cases they are going to operate on. Your pain will be well controlled and you'll be up and walking the halls of the hospital before you know it. The nursing care wil be superb.

I'm glad you have stoped smoking. Besides having this surgery, that is the best thing you can do for your heart and lungs, which your heart depends on. You should also avoid second hand smoke. No one is allowed to smoke in our house. They have to go outside, even in freezing cold weather. My husband's life is too precious.

 

[Beverly]

Upcomong vlave surgery & smoking

Upcomong vlave surgery & smoking

John,

I was a 3 pack a day smoker before my aortic valve replacement 12 years ago. I quit about 3 months before the surgery without any assistance from medications or anything else. The funny thing was that I expected to have a hard time stopping and I kept waiting to feel withdrawl symptoms but I never did. I can tell you that since quitting I can't stand to be around smoking. Shortly after my surgery I was at a family gathering and my sister-in-law lit a cigarette near me and I immediately had difficulty breathing. I told her she would either have to put the cigarette out or I would have to leave. It truly took my breath away. Just be assured that quitting now is the best thing you can do for yourself and you will never regret it. My wish is that I had never taken up such a bad habit and I regret what I must have put the people around me through for the years I did smoke! Best of luck with your surgery. I am sure you will do well.

 

[Beverly]

Upcomong vlave surgery & smoking

Upcomong vlave surgery & smoking

John,

I was a 3 pack a day smoker before my aortic valve replacement 12 years ago. I quit about 3 months before the surgery without any assistance from medications or anything else. The funny thing was that I expected to have a hard time stopping and I kept waiting to feel withdrawl symptoms but I never did. I can tell you that since quitting I can't stand to be around smoking. Shortly after my surgery I was at a family gathering and my sister-in-law lit a cigarette near me and I immediately had difficulty breathing. I told her she would either have to put the cigarette out or I would have to leave. It truly took my breath away. Just be assured that quitting now is the best thing you can do for yourself and you will never regret it. My wish is that I had never taken up such a bad habit and I regret what I must have put the people around me through for the years I did smoke! Best of luck with your surgery. I am sure you will do well.

 

[john briggs]

Re: Upcomong vlave surgery & smoking

Re: Upcomong vlave surgery & smoking

John,

I was a 3 pack a day smoker before my aortic valve replacement 12 years ago. I quit about 3 months before the surgery without any assistance from medications or anything else. The funny thing was that I expected to have a hard time stopping and I kept waiting to feel withdrawl symptoms but I never did. I can tell you that since quitting I can't stand to be around smoking. Shortly after my surgery I was at a family gathering and my sister-in-law lit a cigarette near me and I immediately had difficulty breathing. I told her she would either have to put the cigarette out or I would have to leave. It truly took my breath away. Just be assured that quitting now is the best thing you can do for yourself and you will never regret it. My wish is that I had never taken up such a bad habit and I regret what I must have put the people around me through for the years I did smoke! Best of luck with your surgery. I am sure you will do well.

 

[john briggs]

Dear Bev: I attempted to send you a reply, but all I succeeded in doing was resending your message! Thanks for the thoughts on being a heavy smoker and now a long-term non-smoker. I'm into my second day of Not Smoking and I've had a big temptation this morning. We have some builders doing some rendering to our house foundations and they are all smokers. I went out to say "G'day" (Aussie Greeting) and he offered me a ciggie! It was HARD to say "no"! I've been suffering withdrawal ever since-hard to keep your mind occupied.
Thanks for the help.
John briggs

 

[Ross]

John, for some reason, "Reply with quote" doesn't work. I have informed Hank about it, but I guess he hasn't had time to fix it. I wanted to let you know that you did the correct thing, it's just a problem with the board.

 

[john briggs]

Dear Ross: Now that's the most photogenic emu I've ever seen! What a cheery way to greet an Aussie! I read a newspaper report last week about emus in Canada, running about in the snow, but now we have Yankee emus as well! Although those dentures look pure Hollywood!
I've read a couple of your posts about your upcoming surgery-My thoughts are with You-June 10th? I will be about a week or so later. The other surgery must not have been much fun, either. I pray that everything will be fine for you.
John Briggs

 

[Ross]

I know I rolled on the floor laughing, when I first saw that picture. I have a couple of Aussie freinds at another site, so this comes in handy, well, at least for a one time laugh.

If I can get rid of this sinus infection before the 7th, my surgery will be the 10th. I'll be thinking and praying for you on your surgery, when it arrives. Do the best you can not to succomb to the nicotine cravings and congratulations on attempting to quit smoking. You may have to try a few times before you truly succeed.

Surgeries are never fun, but we do what we have to do. Sometimes there just aren't any other choices.

 

[Beverly]

Upcoming surgery & quitting smoking

Upcoming surgery & quitting smoking

Reply to John

John,

I just remembered I quit smoking for a few years once before this last time and the funny thing was that during that time I used to dream I had smoked. The dreams were so vivid that I would wake up feeling very disappointed in myself. I would sit up feeling depressed about what I had done and then I would remind myself that I had no cigarettes and it was therefore impossible for me to have smoked. I used to tell my co-workers about the dreams and none of them had ever had such dreams when they quit. A few weeks ago I was talking to a gentleman at my office about quitting smoking and he said that experienced smoking dreams also that seemed very real to him upon waking. It was so odd to talk to someone who had a similar experience. So I say save your thought of smoking for your dreams! Believe me once you are off cigarettes your food will taste better and the
air you breathe will be fresher and you will know the difference. I will be holding you in my prayers and watching for your posts.
Keep up the good work.

 

[john briggs]

Dear Bev: It's funny you should talk about smoking dreams-I had a long, involved one last night! I think I was another character who was quite nuggety in build and he was being quite defiant about giving up smoking, with his doctors and others urging him to refrain. It must have been my doppelganger acting out! Today is day Three without smoking and I miss them. My wife and I do English coaching for extra income and I used to love having a cigarette afetr finishing lessons. Today I had three hours of lessons and then NO Smokes! You feel at a loose end. I'M going into Pre-admission on Friday. Hopefully, afet the op is over I will be free of the craving. Do you know that 40% of those who have had their larynx removed resume smoking? It's a strong addiction!
God Bless,
John Briggs

 

[Granbonny]

Quit Smoking

Quit Smoking

Hi, I, too, was a light smoker before my V.R. replacement...After surgery, the mere thought of a cigerette would make me sick...This lasted for the first 6 weeks..then..when my taste buds returned, so did the urge to light up...Usually with a cup of morning coffee..so I quit the coffee...then during the day..if I had the urge..I would go for a walk...I read somewhere the urge only last for 10 minutes....I will be 10 weeks post-op tomorrow...I plan to NEVER light up again..Hard candy helps some..Good Luck..Bonnie

 

[McCln]

Granbonny

Granbonny

Congrats on your quit. Please visit the smoking cession boards. They are a great source of help and inspiration. We have new people coming in all the time. You are doing great. I had to quite before surgery and still am somber. Everyone who is still smoking needs to quit. It will make breathing a lot easier. And make recovery a whole lot better. You take care now, Hang in there. You are doing great.

Caroline
09-13-01
Aortic valve replacement
St. Jude's valve