Aortic Valve Replacement

[Wildboar1d2m2]

Diagnosed with Servere Aortic Stenosis. After replacement Surgery do i rent a hospital bed to keep upper body elevated? Sleep??

[Kimstyles]

Hi Wildboat

I had aortic valve replaced Oct 15 . I didn’t have hospital bed but lots of pillows . If you have open heart surgery you can not use your hands for I think two month , so it’s good to practice getting up from chair bed with your arms across your chest ( hospurskbcincern about pressure on the sternum ) also I wore a sternum vest for eight weeks I slept in it it did reassure me .

[Fredders]

I had my second AVR last November. The first time I just used a rolled up duvet to give me a comfortable sleeping position, but this time I had a double full length bolster pillow, but the v-shaped pillows work just as well. Whatever you do you probably won’t sleep very well in bed for the first couple of weeks, but you’ll be surprised how quickly you manage it, so wouldn’t go to the cost of hiring a hospital bed. I have the added luxury of an electric recliner for napping during the day.

Make sure you take your painkillers before you go to bed and have some to hand incase you need to take some during the night.

Wendy

[XlMardyBumlX]

I had my AVR op on March 1st due to congenital aortic stenosis and regurgitation. When I came home the best thing I ever did was buy an adjustable back rest from argos! It only cost me £25 but it meant I was sat up like I was in hospital. I used that with a V shaped pillow. I used this for the first few weeks slowly lowering the incline and then just used a long pregnancy pillow with pillows going across it so i was near enough lying down. I can lie down with only 2 pillows like I did prrior to my op

Sleep wise, I really struggled staying asleep and still don't sleep through the night now. You will probably find you end up napping through the day anyway.

Hope this helps!

[KazSumm]

Hi Wildboar, I had AVR 9 months ago ( chronic Stenosis) for the 1st few nights home I slept downstairs in my recliner, then my husband brought me

V pillow and 2 body pillows, I slept in the guest bedroom, he rolled up an old duvet and but it under the mattress at the bottom to raise my feet which after a couple of nights my feet, ankles and legs went down, it also stoped me from rolling over. You could also do this at the top to raise your sleeping position. The v pillow and body pillows became my best friends, definitely buy. I had trouble sleeping when I got home, which made me irritable and frustrated, my GP gave me sleeping tablets, I took 2 for the first week then 1 for the second week, by the third my sleeping pattern returned and I stoped and I’ve never had a problem since. The tablets were the best thing I did, had the most amazing and restful sleeps, this made a huge difference to my recovery and moods. I too wore a posthorax vest for about 6 weeks, this was fitted the day after my op, strange at first but it became my best friend, my sternum has healed beautifully with no complications.

I do recommend you start to strengthen your core, and practise getting up without using your arms, it will be invaluable. Also start moisturising your skin on your chest now to make it supple and after the op use bio oil, my scar is practically invisible. If you follow what they say and let others help you especially for the first couple of weeks you recover really quickly, it’s amazing. So here’s too a speedy recovery. Kaz 💕❤️💖

[Winston61 in reply to KazSumm]

Thank you for this information Kaz. It’s all really helpful. Please can you tell me if the hospital fitted your vest and is this done wherever I have my AVR? Please can you also give me some advice about what type of nightwear to take with me? Your help is really appreciated. Joan x

[KazSumm in reply to Winston61]

Hi 👋 Joan regarding the vest, not all hospitals use them, I had mine done at Southampton, you could inquire at your hospital, and it is fitted a couple of hours after you wake up, it feels strange at first and I didn’t know how I was going to wear it 24/7 for 6 weeks, but after 48 hrs it was part of me and I did keep it on except for a few hours when I was home watching tv I would just undo it, it became my security blanket lol As for bras and night ware, I got some button down the front night shirts but to be honest after the op I just kept the hospital gown on. Regarding bras I got front fastening ones ( no wires) and a size bigger, but again to be honest I didn’t bother wearing it all that often. Do get the V pillow and body ones life savers and practise now folding your arms across your chest and strengthen you legs by getting up from bed and chairs toilet etc will be a great help. I know it’s frightening but get it from one who done it and got the tee shirt it’s not half as bad as you imagine. Always here if you want to know more. Take care Kaz ❤️💖💕

[Winston61 in reply to KazSumm]

Hi Kaz and thank you so much for answering my questions. I will certainly take your good advice. Glad to hear that you are doing well. Many thanks. Joan x

[gal4God]

I had a valve replacement surgery last summer and got thru it. I was home the next day onli cos my mum in law was staying wiv me and she’s a cardiologist. I had back pains but got thru them. I have a replacement valve every 3 years at the mo due to lifestyle issues. My bloke and parents in law keep telling me to change my lifestyle and I’m starting to this hoping I won’t need as many heart surgerys.

[KazSumm]

Your welcome Joan x