Sorry to add another OT to the list here. I've got a date with aortic valve surgery (valve to be replaced) next Thursday, and am looking for any comments, particularly regarding post-op recommendations, anecdotal or whatever, anyone may have.

A bit of background. The need for the surgery came as a complete surprise to me, revealed as the result of extensive tests in late October through late November. Both the cardiologist (UCSF grad) and the heart surgeon (UCLA Med grad) confirmed that life style issues did not contribute to this ( Diet is mostly vegetable, no lack of exercise, never smoked, cholesterol issues under control ), I even scored 98 out of 100 on the lung test (probably because I went to Cal). Something to do with tissue hardening. I could have put it off, but decided getting it over with quickly was preferable to thinking about it for three months.

Chose the local hospital (Marin General) because of surgeon's reputation, close proximity of cardiovascular support network, high rated nursing staff, and opportunity for wife to visit. Understand I will be in hospital ICU for 5 to 8 days, then limited activity for six more weeks. Hope I can get back to drinking red wine during that time, Bourbon probably too much to hope for.

Any / all comments welcome, and the best of the holidays to all.

Edit: The emoticon was supposed to show up in the text, not the topic. Hope that's not an omen.

Can confirm it has nothing to do with diet or habits. The only way to prevent age-related aortic stenosis is not to get old. 6-8 days in the ICU seems on the long end of the estimates to me. Not to get your hopes up, but after an uncomplicated AVR at my hospital you'd be out of the ICU in 4 or 5 days (or sometimes even less). Depending on the practice at the hospital you should expect to remain intubated and sedated immediately post-op, but the trend nowadays is to wean off the vent in a matter of hours (again, assuming everything is stable).

Out of curiosity, are you getting a tissue valve or a mechanical valve? The tissue valve will allow you to avoid taking blood thinners but they have a shelf life of ~10 years, at which point you might need a reoperation. The mechanical valve can be "forever" but requires strict anticoagulation and the risks associated with that.

Thanks for those comments Sketchy,

Tissue valve, though I am told by the surgeon they will last 25 years now.

First of all, Number 031143, best wishes for a successful surgery and speedy recovery.

You've gotten me to think about my own situation a bit: I don't have any "lifestyle issues" either, but my mother died from, basically, cardiovascular disease at age 53 (an age which I have surpassed).

I have had two echocardiograms, as part of a heart study in which I participate: Passed with flying colors. May I ask what tests you had that revealed this condition and what prompted you to have the tests done?

Number 031343 said:

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Sorry to add another OT to the list here. I've got a date with aortic valve surgery (valve to be replaced) next Thursday, and am looking for any comments, particularly regarding post-op recommendations, anecdotal or whatever, anyone may have.

A bit of background. The need for the surgery came as a complete surprise to me, revealed as the result of extensive tests in late October through late November. Both the cardiologist (UCSF grad) and the heart surgeon (UCLA Med grad) confirmed that life style issues did not contribute to this ( Diet is mostly vegetable, no lack of exercise, never smoked, cholesterol issues under control ), I even scored 98 out of 100 on the lung test (probably because I went to Cal). Something to do with tissue hardening. I could have put it off, but decided getting it over with quickly was preferable to thinking about it for three months.

Chose the local hospital (Marin General) because of surgeon's reputation, close proximity of cardiovascular support network, high rated nursing staff, and opportunity for wife to visit. Understand I will be in hospital ICU for 5 to 8 days, then limited activity for six more weeks. Hope I can get back to drinking red wine during that time, Bourbon probably too much to hope for.

Any / all comments welcome, and the best of the holidays to all.

Edit: The emoticon was supposed to show up in the text, not the topic. Hope that's not an omen.

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I wish you all the best. I had a double bypass and a mitral valve repair 5 years ago. I'm doing great as long as I do what I'm told.

I had no symptoms, except a thick feeling when I swallowed - like I'd taken too big a bite. Nothing else. Nothing. Great, clean diet. Regular exercise. They said it was most likely genetic.

I went through all the tests until the nuclear stress test (passed all the regular stress tests with flying colors). That's when they found it. Tried stents for the arteries, but they were too clogged for stents to even get in there. And, I had the mitral valve to worry about (33% regurgitation). So, in they went.

The surgery is nothing. They shoot you up with morphine and other things and away you go. 1 day ICU. 3 days recovery room. They had me up and walking the second day. That's when it started to get uncomfortable, but force yourself. Then is not the time to get sheepish.

The one saving grace was an episode in recovery with a nurse I called The Lovely Latoya. I don't know what she thought I was going to be able to do. I looked like death warmed over. I'm not a celeb. Maybe she does that to all the guys to get their blood flowing. Anyway, it was hilarious.

Some weeks in rehab. I don't remember how many - 4-6 maybe. Close monitoring of exercise with wires and tubes hanging all over you.

The worst part of the whole deal? Surgery prep. Two nurses, one on either side, shaving every inch from neck to toes. EVERYTHING. I threatened to post a sign outside the prep room - Abandon all modesty, ye who enter here.

I'm living a reasonably normal life, now. No shoveling, heavy lifting (25#). Prescribed exercise. Clean diet. Meds. Periodic checkups with my cardiologist. Like that. Not bad, considering the alternative.

Good luck to you and God bless.

Friday will be my one year for open heart AVR due to extreme bicuspid stenosis. "10% functionality" tossed around afterwards.

Lots of nice equipment to see as they roll you in. Waking up was a trip, mind felt 90% alert, couldn't move for quite a while. In a rarity, they pulled the air tube out after I was more or less alert. Gag and cough, followed by all sorts of alarms and excitement. Very atypical, I am told. Fairly comfortable afterwards, and I was booted out of ICU in 18 hours to make room for an emergency admit. No problem. Getting up sucks, get help. Once up, it's all good. DO NOT TAKE ANY MORE PAIN RELIEF MEDS THAN YOU ACTUALLY NEED. The nurses were on my side, the surgical team hated pain. Obviously not Cal fans. Constipation, with an eleven inch wound on your breastbone is a beyotch. That first shower is heavenly. Don't trip on the tubes.

Getting up from bed at home is very difficult for up to a week. Have some strong teenagers available, OR RENT A HOSPITAL TYPE ADJUSTABLE BED.

Use the breathing exercising machine AT LEAST once an hour, when awake. It will pay dividends. Also, don't expect to sleep much for a couple of weeks. Books are ok, short stories or paper mags, better. Videos?

Walk more than they say, if you can. Don't lose that muscle mass.

Oh, yeah. Forgot to say. NEVER felt better.

The bones bonded after two to three weeks, just in time for pneumonia. Skip this step, if possible.

If done well, you will have a face on your abdomen, looking back at you from the mirror. You'll see.

Otherwise, people will bring lots of food by.

Patience.

Thanks for the good wishes Big C. I have had seven tests since October, all described in cryptic medicalese. I believe the one that revealed my "stuck valve" was called a Comp Metab 2000. Using an IV, I was injected with some kind of colored fluid which was then tracked and monitored throughout my arterial system, followed by two other tests, involving monitors attached to my upper body, one included audio, one included vision scanning though it was not a cat scan. Those three were in sequence, led to the subsequent decision to recommend surgery when they revealed my valve was reduced by about 40%, took about two hours.

Great information Rushin, thanks.

Thanks Bobo, great information.

You're insured in the Bay Area. Sounds like you have very few pre operative risk factors. From a statistical point of view, you're going to be just fine.

Big C said:

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First of all, Number 031143, best wishes for a successful surgery and speedy recovery.

You've gotten me to think about my own situation a bit: I don't have any "lifestyle issues" either, but my mother died from, basically, cardiovascular disease at age 53 (an age which I have surpassed).

I have had two echocardiograms, as part of a heart study in which I participate: Passed with flying colors. May I ask what tests you had that revealed this condition and what prompted you to have the tests done?

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Aortic stenosis (or really any disease of the heart valves) can be easily diagnosed with a simple echocardiogram (i.e. heart ultrasound). No other fancy imaging tests needed. If, however, you're talking about ischemic heart disease (where the heart muscle is not getting enough oxygen due to narrowed or blocked arteries), a standard echocardiogram won't cut it. There are a variety of non-invasive imaging techniques, each of which has its own drawbacks, with the "gold standard" being a heart catheterization (which is an invasive procedure and carries with it a small, but non-zero, risk).

My wife had this surgery three years ago. Despite the relative ease of the process itself, full recovery was one year. In her case, recovery was impacted by depression (vulnerability was a partial issue along with having lupus). She finally turned the corner almost one year later and has been, more importantly, able to withstand other shocks to the system. Mental attitude is critical. If you can maintain a positive and healthy outlook and do the physical therapy religiously I suspect that you will fair well. Best of luck!

Reading this thread wants to make me swear off barbeque for the rest of my life. Best of luck with the procedure! Sounds like we have a lot of well-informed folks on this site. Go Bears!

juarezbear said:

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Reading this thread wants to make me swear off barbeque for the rest of my life. Best of luck with the procedure! Sounds like we have a lot of well-informed folks on this site. Go Bears!

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Good luck!

Post op, change your diet and exercise routine.
Look up the lifestyle modification routines suggested by
Dr Dean Ornish
Dr Conrad Esselstyn

Ornish's program is now in Marin:
Diet
Exercise
Stress Mgmt
Love relationships

Esselstyn speaks mainly of diet. No animal protein, lots and lots of greens, low fat intake, no diary or oils.

See The China Study by Colin Campbell, too.

Again, best of luck.
YouTube has vids on all that.

Number 031343 said:

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Thanks for those comments Sketchy,

Tissue valve, though I am told by the surgeon they will last 25 years now.

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Pops, RIP, got a pacemaker about 30 years ago.
The ABH cardiologist said the battery was guaranteed to last 15 years.
Pops said he'd see him back in 12, .
He had a great sense of humor.
When he was signing up for Trident Cremation Services, the sales guy asked, "why did you chose Trident?'
Pops replied..."4 out of 5 dentists recommend Trident."

Cheers!!
Best Wishes!!
Happy Holidays!!!

Number 031343, you'll do okay because I need all the readers that I can get!

# is "out of order" for now.

Wife is a cardiologist. Let your docs know if you are a heavy drinker. Withdrawal would be an issue. You can't drink for awhile. Best of luck!

Any update?