I posted for the first time 3 months ago about my Mitral Valve Prolapse and said I was waiting to see a cardiologist. I saw the man last week and after lots of questions and an examination he confirmed the diagnosis and said it had progressed from moderate to severe. The next stage is a Trans oesophogal echo ( probably spelt wrong ) and following that I would have an angiogram and if it confirms his thinking I would be referred to Essex Cardiothoracic Centre for an operation.
Would this be keyhole or open heart surgery? How long in hospital? How long not driving? Any answers much appreciated.
Kind regards
David
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Davewm
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My mitral valve is at Moderate/severe and if/when mine needs doing it will be at Basildon. Cardiology appointment on 20th. If you don't need a bypass, then the op can be done by going between the ribs.
My husband had a triple bypass at Basildon about 14 months ago and made a great recovery. He was in hospital for 5 days after the op and was driving at a month.
I believe the food in Basildon is grim so you may need someone to bring you in food parcels!
Do you have any symptoms? Mine are not too much of a problem and it's hard to think of major surgery when you feel reasonably ok.
This operation can performed either by minimally invasive technique or the conventional sternotomy.
I was keen to avoid the sternotomy route if possible, so opted for a referral through my GP to a surgeon (a fair way from home!) who specialises in minimally invasive mitral valve surgery. I needed to have a CT scan and angiogram to find out if I was suitable for this type of surgery which was done just before Christmas. I am now due to have the op around March next year.
I think the important thing is that if you do decide on the keyhole approach, do your research and find an experienced surgeon/hospital of your choice as it’s a very specialised area. My op will be through mini right thoracotomy, rather than robotically assisted as I wasn’t suitable for the latter. He said the time in hospital should be shorter, faster recovery time, etc and driving again in 4 weeks.
Hope this helps , but please free to message me if you have any more questions. I’ve found this forum so helpful as able to talk to others in similar situations.
I had my operation in May and it was open heart. I had all the tests you mentioned. My mitral valve was repaired which meant I was on minimal extra medication. Anything you’re given will be to protect your heart so it doesn’t overwork. Had the valve been replaced it would have been a mechanical one so I’d have been on warfarin. I think that unless they can tell it’s diseased then you probably won’t know until after the op what will be done. My surgeon manages to repair most which was good to k ow beforehand. I was in hospital for 6 days after the operation and able to drive once I’d had my post op appointment with my surgeon. That was after 8 weeks but I didn’t want to drive much before then anyway. With open heart surgery you need comfirmation that your bone is healed properly.
I’ve been part of a study of mitral valve problems at Leeds hospital so have learnt a lot from this before and after my operation. My heart valve was pretty bad before and only just coping. My GP had been brilliant in keeping the excess fluid down and it’s important to stay as well as possible before your op. Don’t be afraid to see your GP if you’re worried about anything or your condition changes. You may find you start getting worse as your heart has to work harder now. Mine did. Also if you do get worse, once you’ve been referred to your surgeon, your GP can get in touch to let them know and it can bump you up the list. They work on how you were when you were referred and only your GP can pass on information like this. With the strain on beds that there seems to be at the moment it can have a knock on effect and delay things.
After the op my heart rate is much faster but my heart is working really well as it’s had to learn how to beat effectively again. As it’s harder for it to pump against the valve than it was before you need to be kind to yourself and not over do things at first. I had to keep being reminded that having a valve operated on is major, whatever the type of surgery. Your body needs time to adjust and if you give it this then you will get better quicker. The main thing is to listen to your body and do what it will let you. You’ll soon find out if you’ve done too much as you’ll have to rest. It’s not like other things where you can keep going you have to rest. It’s a real balance and can be scary but I have my life back now.
There are several leaflets online on hospital websites that tell you about heart operations and recovery and these can be useful to read. You should get one or be told more nearer your operation but I read up long before that! They all say the same thing which is reassuring.
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