AVR metal valve replacement and ascending aorta replacement

[Lyndon68]

How long after this type of operation did people take to getting back to day to day tasks?such as grass cutting!lifting heavy objects!taking the dog for decent length walks!

[Janemags]

I had exactly the same op on 24th of May this year. I'm 52, and a mum of three, so getting back to normal concerned me too. Apart from being readmitted for a fortnight on 3rd June (long story but good outcome!) everything has been fine.

I took things very gradually and now feel almost back to normal, though ribcage still a bit twingey. I've been told to expect that for some months yet though. I lift laundry baskets and suchlike, I'm able to bend, stretch etc to do tasks throughout the day, walk for long stretches, go to cardiac rehab exercise, and walk/cycle gently at the gym. I've also just returned to work at the local library for the odd shift.

I sleep if and when I need to, as I think your body tells you when to stop! I also take paracetamol before bed to get a good sleep, and can sleep on my side (I hug a cushion for extra comfort against my scar). I also take it if I'm a bit seized up during the day. I'm on warfarin, and can still enjoy up to 2 g&t's a night (surgeon himself told me i could!).

It will all take time, but not nearly as scary as you think, and you feel great when you realise things are returning to normal! Good luck and make sure you take things easy!

Jane

[Lyndon68 in reply to Janemags]

Thanks👍

[Lyndon68 in reply to Lyndon68]

Do you still have breathlessness and dizzy spells?thanks

[Janemags in reply to Lyndon68]

Bending with my head down to pick something up can make me a bit dizzy so I try not to do that too often Again, body telling you to watch it! Up until recently I still got breathless, though I put that down to the problem I had which led to my readmission (fluid collecting around heart, which made my lungs feel a bit deflated!). Gradual exercise, enough to make you slightly out of breath, seemed to help the recent breathlessness.

[gal4God]

I have a replacement tissue valve and asdcending aorta and I’ve have ops where I’ve had both and back the normal life but not the last time but have had a infection in my heart just after.

[IanGordon]

Four months ago I just had a bioprosthetic aortic valve with an uneventful surgery and straightforward post operative recovery with self-managed rehab. An acceptable 'normal' with regard to everyday activity probably arrived about week 10 with a resumption of lifting, stretching and sport exertion at week 12, as predicted and advised. Up to that point, regular 5 mile walks were the order of the day having built up pace and distance as my recovery progressed.

Today, strength, stamina and mobility are still improving - the small lawn was mown and I cycled to tennis, playing a couple of hours, mixed doubles. The sun shone and life is good.

Everyone's physical and psychological rate of recovery is different; some fast, some slow but the 12 week milestone should see life returning to near normal, barring setbacks. Improvement is incremental and linear so it's a question of just gradually extending your activity, taking advice from cardio professionals and listening to your body.