2nd Open Heart Surgery - Experiences?

[Smarticus]

Hi All, looking for other peoples experiences of a second open heart surgery. My surgeon was very frank with me when he said, it will take a lot longer due to scar tissue and he doesnt know what damage he will find from the first failed op and reoccouring pericarditus that I have had. Trying not to panic too much

[LHDLondon]

I had my second valve operation (replacement and repair) 3 years ago after an operation a year previously failed to repair my mitral valve. I could have shot my first surgeon.

Fortunately I'd moved on from the equivalent of a team of tractor mechanics to a Ferrari maintenance team.

2nd time round, aged 64, the last thing I wanted was another recuperating period. That said, because the operation was a success my recovery was easier. My chest bone healed normally and if anything was less painful second time round. The scar tissue has taken time, but now 3 years on is only sensitive occasionally. There were special ointments to use which might have speeded things up, but I am not a great one for smothering stuff on.

[Smarticus in reply to LHDLondon]

Hi, can I ask how long before your GP/surgeon/consultant accepted something was wrong and did your operation take longer? did you find the experience 'better' given you knew what was going to happen? I struggled because other people said you 'will feel better' and I never did... I felt worse! I am grateful to my original surgeon (I would have died!) but I am mighty pissed that I have spent 2 years as an invalid? (spelling?) did they go along the original scar? Hope you are doing ok now. Thanks

[LHDLondon in reply to Smarticus]

Sorry, I am not always on this forum.

To answer - the second op took 9hours as it was more complicated. My heart was stuck to my chest wall, they had to do a pericardiectomy and they had 2 valves to sort rather than one in the first. - they used exactly the same spot to cut. - the second team were top class, the first team I eventually didn't trust. I learnt to take a second opinion.

When the second team went in my repaired valve was hanging by a thread. The first team had sworn it would get better. Second team said I would have been dead in days. Ferrari A Team vs a Massey Ferguson reserve team.

Now, 3 years later and with a pacemaker inserted I am as good as I can be. Surviving lockdown isolation and looking forward to years with my grandchildren. It does get better.

If in doubt get a second opinion from another specialist.

Mindset helps. Play to the positives. Get control of heart failure - I still have that but I manage by taking meds and trying to walk as much as I can. I'm still overweight (BMI 32) but try to lead a normal life. Sleep, exercise, hydration - all important.

[Hidden]

Great question, I had open heart surgery a year ago to remove a tumour and now another mass has shown up which will mean more surgery at some point and I’m interested to hear how second open heart operations compare with the first one.

[Smarticus in reply to Hidden]

Thanks, I'm considering keeping a diary/video diary to chart/record my op and progress to put a positive spin on it. I know it will be the second time, (the first one left me with brain damage) but it might help someone else? or scare them sh*tless???

[Hidden in reply to Smarticus]

I think a diary of events is good, I’m sorry to read about the brain damage 😬 which I think is not a common occurrence.

I was very lucky with my first op because it saved my life, it will be the same surgeon again which I’m pleased about but like you I’ve wondered if it will be an easier recovery the second time around.

Wishing you all the best.

[LHDLondon in reply to Hidden]

Second op i was more prepared for and had better surgeon. Recovery was quicker and less painful.

Sorry to take so long to reply.

I'm still kicking!

Not often on the site though.

[Hidden in reply to LHDLondon]

You don’t know how much better that makes me feel, thank you. Before my first op I was on a ward. with a lady who had just had a second open heart surgery and she’s seemed great which made me feel better, I was shocked how I felt afterwards, I was in icu 9 days before they let me back up on to the ward though. I’m thinking maybe it was just a big tumour and if this ones small it might be an easier recovery 😉 anyway I’m pleased your still kicking and long may it continue 😊

[Hidden in reply to LHDLondon]

One other question please, how long between first and second operations? Thanks

[LHDLondon in reply to Hidden]

One year in between. I knew pretty much staright away that the first surgeon had boobed. The cardiologist covered for him and said it would get better. I blame the cardiologist.

My new cardiologist was younger, top of the game and the new surgeon on a regular list at top hospitals. Always go for the active experienced people, rather than previously active and slowing down. The team needs to give you confidence.

[Hidden in reply to LHDLondon]

Thanks again, luckily I have every confidence in the surgeon 🙏👍🏻

[dg451]

Hi smarticus, I had aortic arch and descending aorta replacement in 2014, I wasn't expected to make it and was in a coma for a week and on itu for a month. Although it saved my life it was horrendously traumatic. Ten months later I was back in for emergency surgery for an aortic aneurysm. This all happened in my mid 40s, I was born with congenital heart disease and had no problem up until that time. I can honestly say, fearful as I was of the second operation, it was absolutely fine, there was no problem at all and I was out of hospital after 3 days and back into cardiac rehab. Six years on and thanks to my amazing surgeons in still living my life. It's natural to feel afraid, but I remember the night before my second operation just sitting on the hospital bed thinking 'nothing, nothing can be worse than that first operation and you got through that'. Be strong and believe. I wish you all the health and good wishes to your surgery.

[Fredders]

Hi Smarticus, I’ve had two open heart surgeries for aortic valve replacements. The first one was a tissue valve, which started to leak within a couple of years but finally got to the stage where I needed a re-do after 6-7years. Surgery was fine, didn’t take any longer than first op, as first time they had to wrap my ascending aorta too. This time we opted for a mechanical valve, to hopefully reduce the risk of having to have a third surgery. I think having been through it once I was more relaxed about it as I knew what to expect - that I would feel c**p for the first couple of days but then improve quite quickly. Had a slight hiccup as I got complete heart block so had to have a pacemaker fitted, but apart from that everything went smoothly.

Hope your second op gets everything sorted this time.

Wendy