Open Heart surgery help?

[Rm61012180]

My wife is having open heart surgery in June to repair tricuspid valve and getting maze for afib...she is 78 and scared...Any tips on what to expect would be helpful...

[CDreamer]

May I suggest that you remove your email addresses - you have published on an open site! You are making yourselves extremely vulnerable to cyber attack.

If you want private messages then use the PM service - ‘Chat’ on HealthUnlocked.

[Buffafly]

Try BHF site (without the email addresses)

[Rm61012180]

Would love to read advice from others that have had open heart surgery

[Rainfern in reply to Rm61012180]

Hi Rm6 I had open heart surgery many years ago and am alive to tell the tale! I don’t know why but as we get older we get more scared of things, but the cardio team wouldn’t be offering your wife surgery if they didn’t think she was fit enough. When I had open heart surgery it was still a relatively new thing and the risks much higher. I was left with a scar where they cut through the sternum right at a time when a girl worries about such things. I must have been so vain, I was more worried about the scar than dying - what it is to be young eh!! Please tell your wife she’ll be fine, both procedures are now routine and as long as she rests up and practices some breathing and relaxation techniques (starting now!) her heart will do all the healing for her. Wish her well from an old open heart veteran with scars to prove it!

[Kevin2331]

Hello, I had open heart surgery in August 2021 to repair two valves. The doctor also fixed a hole in the septum, did a left atrial appendage where blood clots like to hide out and lastly, a cryo ablation maze procedure. I was scared too, but the doctor told me I was a very good candidate for this surgery. I was hospitalized for 5 days. Nine days after my surgery I was enjoying a mile long walk. For me I had very little pain, I'd say allll 2 at the most on a scale of 1-10. My procedure was done by mayo clinic in Rochester Minnesota. I was 64 years of age. I could have put it off for a few years, but doc said the results wouldn't be as good. Hope this is of some help to you and your wife. And, I wish you well

[mav7]

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

Also, check the BHF forum. Best to your and your wife !

[2learn]

Hi I had open heart in Dec 21 to repair 2 valves, plus left atrial appendage and an ablation, aged 72 . All went very well, and scans since say everything good and working fine. However, I have various foot and leg pains since, which are I think due to nerve damage, its something thats common, can clear up, but may not and docs don't mention it or want to talk about it cos it implies they aren't doing their job properly. In USA it may prompt someone to sue.

[Splashthecat]

Hi there, I had open heart surgery at Derriford in 2016. I needed one bypass, a faulty valve repaired, and treatment for atrial fibrillation.

I waited in hospital five weeks before the op but I didn't mind as I knew I was getting the best care possible with the NHS.

I had a few nerves just before the op but that soon passed and everything went well. Just go with the flow and hopefully, everything will turn out well—best regards to you.