Open heart surgery

[Audi1955]

Hi guys I'm 68 year old male and due to have all pre checks soon prior to open heart surgery..Needless to say I'm petrified as I've never had any kind of surgery before...should l be so scared 😱 or are the things I've read on Google etc not to be believed.

[BeKind28-]

Hello

O dear you went and looked at Google that is more frightening than the operation

Obviously you need this operation or they would not be doing it have you thought of if you did not have it done what would the outcome be ?

I imagine the outcome especially if you asked Google would petrifie you even more

But I am anxious by nature and so I totally understand why you feel frightened

I had a triple Bypass and yes I was petrified

I came on here and everyone was so supportive telling me to think about how much better I would feel and so on and that they had had this and that done and what they could do now and I clinged on to all those positive replies and they helped get me through

You are in safe hands they do these operations everyday and to be honest after my Bypass op I was quite surprised I did not find it anything like I had imagined it to be at all yes of course you get a little pain and have to build yourself up again but that is the case with so many operations

Stay of Google , come on here and talk instead and I will look forward to reading when you have had it done and you are on the road to recovery

You have got this x

[Audi1955 in reply to BeKind28-]

Oh thanks..feeling less frightened already..

[BeKind28- in reply to Audi1955]

Hello

It is normal to feel some fear we are human but try and think of all the positives of having this done x

[Clairealou]

hi Audi 1955. I’ts quite usual to be scared the first time but if I can offer you anything, it’s generally not as bad as you think it’s going to be. I’ve had 5 heart surgeries, 4 open heart and 1 minimally invasive. The pain is usually well controlled, the staff are usually very skilled and knowledgeable and as long as you relax and try and stay positive, you’re fine. Ok, not going to lie, having chest drains out can be uncomfortable but that’s it for me. Make sure as soon as you’re able, you get out of bed and start moving. Keep your arms crossed across your chest when getting out of chairs / beds.and lastly, take a long lead for the charger for your phone / iPad! Keep us posted with progress and message if you want to chat but you’ll find a whole host of people on here who have been through it, many like me on several occasions who are here to give you support if you’re feeling down. You’ve got this!

[Audi1955 in reply to Clairealou]

HiWow that's a lot of surgery 😳 l hope l only need the one op to replace or repair mitral valve..thanks so much for your reassuring words though..really appreciate it 👍

[Yumz199725]

Ah hi just read your bio so sorry to hear what your going through. I noticed it said leaking valve? Which one and it must be severe regurgitation if its caused heart failure and they want to operate. I only ask because I have aortic valve moderate to severe regurgitation and moderate stenosis, I don't need surgery yet. Hope your preop goes well and your surgery and recovery and like BeKind said definitely don't look on Google I have done that before alot! It doesn't make you feel better I'm sure any questions you have will be answered at your preop so take care and keep us updated on how your doing xx

[Audi1955 in reply to Yumz199725]

Hi its mitral valve that's leaking severe and definitely needs surgery to protect heart from permanent damage 💔 at 68 years old its the first ailment I've had and it scares me a lot ...the fear of the unknown. Thanks for your words. Xx

[Yumz199725 in reply to Audi1955]

Glad there doing it so it doesn't cause further issues x. I'm sure you will be fine as alot of people will tell you on here ☺️. X

[Blackcatsooty]

Dear Audi

I had OHS three years ago, so I can give a few pointers.

But the thing I would urge strongly is….dont read Dr Google…..

Just look up BHF or NHS sites. We are monitored so you can avoid destructive comments.

Now the plus points.

Of course you are petrified. I was in a right state before hand.

The cardiac staff are just wonderful and as soon as I stepped inside the hospital doors my fear melted away.

You are most likely to have a single room. The surgeon will come and discuss things. I imagine you will have a replacement valve and there are synthetic valves and metal valves. Be guided by your surgeon as he is the one who will be fitting your new valve.

A nurse will ensure you shower and wash your hair on the day with the supplied shampoo. I then walked on to the operating bed, which surprised me.

The op is substantial, but once the anaesthetic is applied you, of course, are asleep. I came around two days later. My op was very safe with better than 99.5% success rate. A week in hospital then home by ambulance .

The home recovery period is long, for me it was 12 weeks, but I could feel improvement every two days. Then I had my life back. Annual check up and a lot of tablets.

By far the worst bit is waiting to go in to hospital. i.e. the bit you are going through now. It’s all good from now on.

Sooty

[Audi1955 in reply to Blackcatsooty]

Wow Sooty...that's a such a positive response to your experience..l sure hope l come out the other side with that positive attitude 👍 l wish you well and thanks.

[Blackcatsooty in reply to Audi1955]

Audi

There is no reason for you to be anything less successful. I had just a couple of weeks to live and I came home all fixed up. Covid was raging so I didn’t get the rehab.

With my agreement, my op was observed by students. They were experienced healthcare workers not youngsters. They came to talk to me and they enthused over the surgeons work.

They reckoned my surgeon had a success rate of 99.9%.

In the past three years things have improved. The valves now can take a later TAVi. The annual check up is now brilliant. No waiting, results in minutes and a nurse dedicated to the check ups. She has recourse to consultants but I don’t need that whilst all is going well. So consultants are freed up for patients who need them.

Another good thing……being alone in a single room can be a bit alarming. So nurses, health care assistants, engineers, dining staff, cooks etc etc etc would pop in continually. No visitors allowed but that’s another plus point, no visitors !

I have fond memories of my stay in London.

Good luck .

Sooty

[wardywill]

I had quadruple bypass in Sep 22 and was back at work November.Apart from op being cancelled 5 times including with 5 mins to go it wasn’t as bad as I had visualised.More mild discomfort than pain and your encouraged up walking more or less straight away before leaving hospital

[SinbadCFC]

Hi Audi1955 I had OHS to repair and ASD (atrial septal Defect) in September 2022, just before my 68th birthday. As others have said the nurses etc will look after you and th pain is well controlled. Things to be aware of take a button up Pyjama top and a long charging lead for your phone or tablet. Don't be surprised if you have some wierd and wonderful dreams (i could have sworn the nurses were trying to kill me lol). They will get you out of bed and moving asap (the next day for me).

But try not to worry too much you will be in good hands.

All the best

Nick

[Audi1955 in reply to SinbadCFC]

Hi Nick Hope you're on the mend now and thanks for you're re assuring words and advice.

Cheers Innes

[SinbadCFC in reply to Audi1955]

Hi Innes. Im doing well, back to normal now but it took some time mainly because I was impatient and tried to rush things. An d that my final tip take it steady don't push yourself too hard and listen to your body. If you're tired rest. Good luck and keep us informed.

Nick

[cappachina]

Are you on the Facebook group Aortic and heart defects pre and post surgery They are so supportive They have members with all sorts of heart defects needing ops and lots have had their surgery so have loads of good advice I joined and found them brilliant

[Audi1955 in reply to cappachina]

HiNo I'm just on this site and so far it has helped me a lot...only positive comments to date.

[Curryandchips]

Anything that involves your heart is worrying. I have gone through it and its bad, but not as bad as you imagine. You will be kept well doped up and pain free. I just focused on the end goal and let the professionals do their stuff.