Hi everyone. I'm having an AVR and aorta replacement/repair, next Thursday 10th. I really feel I need peer support. Now that most of the logistics are sorted I'm finding I'm feeling the fears around how I will feel afterward, possibly very weak, possibly in a lot of pain... it's so scary to think about when I'm currently sitting here 'fine' (if easily winded).
I would particularly like to hear from women who've had similar surgeries. because I'm having questions like: how should I do my curly shoulder-length hair so it's out of the way for the op and doesn't go into a tangled mess over a week where I mostly won't be able to shampoo it? or lift my arms over my head without pain? What if I have my period (which is currently late, probably due to stress) at the time of surgery? How can I help my 5yo boy get his head round it? I'm 49 and in Dublin. We'll be staying with friends while I recuperate. They'll also be minding my son while I'm in hosp.
Thanks!
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verysmallnosies
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I had my surgery Aortic valve replaced and bypass 4 years ago. First thing you need to know you won’t be in any pain they make sure of that, hair I would tie it up out if the way. Lifting your arms above your head for 8-10 weeks is not advisable and no lifting anything heavier than half a kettle of water no hoovering or ironing it’s the pulling pushing movement.
When you get home it’s baby steps listen to your body when it says I am tired you need to rest! and you have to let your brain catch up with what as happened to your body.
Oh by the way make sure you tie your hair up when you have your special shower before your op I had a lovely bright pink patch on the back of my hair!
Advice about your son personally I would show him your scar and explain why Mummy isn’t going to be as active as she usually is for a little while explaining as gently as possible what you have had done. Kids normally take theses things in their stride.
As for your period unless it arrives before the op mention it to the nurse sure it happens lots of times. Just make them aware as you will be catheterise.
I wish you lots of luck if there is any other info just post and someone will be along to help out.
Thanks so much, Pauline. Believe it or not, my son had a heart op when he was 4 months old (he's fine now & goes for check-ups every 2 years). So he has a scar himself! Which has helped with the explaining, for sure!
Nice reply from 080311. I am male but the op is no doubt similar. Had AVR May 2nd.
I opted for open heart surgery as opposed to TAVI. I am guessing you are not TAVI. Yes you are nervous and it will probably get irrational. Believe me, you go to the ante room and then you feel nothing and know nothing for many many hours. For me it was a couple of days. Then you come around knowing its all been done. A few horrid nightmares. which I thought were true. Hospital stay perhaps 8 days. Recovery starts and it is good, because every time you put in the right effort and not too much, you can notice/feel the improvement. For six weeks you are limited with movements. Just as 080311 mentions. Then another six weeks and strength starts to come back. Then another three months to get pretty much 100%.
I hope you will get rehab. Something I dont get because of covid (my op was done privately because all NHS was closed).
Yes there is some discomfort, mainly in the neck, shoulders and arms but low level painkillers such as paracetomol will cover that.
Excuse me gate crashing the girls, but so few ops were carried out early May that I thought I should pop in an appearance.
At 4 months post op I am driving. Walking is easy. I weed the garden, cooking is OK. Even a little bit of hoovering. Just about make a bed, but slowly. And I am old. You are young so recovery will be quicker.
Glad to read your recovery is going so well, this mended heart road we are all travelling can have a few bumps but we usually get going again quite quickly 😉
Hello, I am current day 11 post traditional AVR. I used to have shoulder length hair until lock down but not being able to have it cut since Feb means its quite a mass now. My biggest problem was that I had to shower/wash hair in Hibiscrub the night and day before surgery which has caused my normally dry hair to really dry out and tangle. I took some hair oil into hospital and have been putting it on every day - you wouldnt even know I have been using it. I would definitely tie it back out of the way because they also use an IV in the neck so good to keep it clear.
My son is somewhat older but also has a biscuspid valve so its about yes this happens but hopefully not for many years (I am hoping TAVI will be the norm then). I like to wear a light scarf but even at this early stage its more of a fine line than really gross.
I'd be inclined to be prepared by wearing sanitary pad which will also act as a prompt to the surgical team perhpas.
Painwise not too bad but the fatigue is what I am struggling with most so far. Rehab say get out for a walk a few times a days but so far i have only made it round the garden. Having a shower feels like a major event (this could be because unfortunately I did have a collasped lung during surgery so may not be everyones experience).. Having said that I managed to sleep a lot better last night and feel much better today already.
I wish you all the best and know the nursing and surgical teams will take such good care of you.
Get a V shaped pillow, front opening everything, a nice warm dressing gown and a little bit of comfort food to cheer you up. It is completely normal to be away with fairies for the first couple of days as the knockout drugs wear off. Slowly but surely you will be able to progress to walking around the house, then outside the house, then as far as a lamp post, then another lamp post.
Takes about 8 weeks for your sternum to knit together and 3 months to gain full strength so take it easy and make progress slowly. After 3 months you will be much , much better.
Hi. I'm 7 weeks post AVR, and my advice would be to just take things day by day after you come home. You'll need lots of rest and some time to adjust to whatever pain relief and other meds you are sent home with, but you can always call your GP if you need adjustments, and the cardiac nurse with any other concerns. Don't be afraid to ask for stronger painkillers if you need them.
Your hair - I echo what every woman has said about the antibacterial wash you are asked to use before the op. It turns silk into straw! If you can, oil and plait your hair as tightly as is comfortable before you go in. For the first couple of days after the op you won't be as worried about it as you think! After that you may be able to just run a conditioner through it until you get home. Mine wasn't washed for 8 days, looked and felt a mess but I kept it under control with hairbands. Don't worry about the period - just let your nurse know when you arrive.
After 7 weeks I can do a short walk outdoors and some basic tasks like dusting and folding clothes. Anything heavier is still uncomfortable. We are all different and recover at different rates. Your age is very much in your favour but don't feel pressured to exercise or walk more than you feel safe with. You'll get there in your own time.
verysmallnosies , what's the reason for the AV replacement and for the aorta repair? Aneurysm? And are you having a sternotomy? There's a fair few members on the Aortic Dissection UK Buddies FB group who have had a similar experience. There's a post there somewhere about what to consider before going in to hospital and gow to prepare for afterwards. I'll see if I can find it.
Ironically my aortic valve is only moderate in terms of stenosis, not severe. If everything else were ok I would be good to go for another few years before surgery. But they need to operate now cos of the aorta.
Ok, I'll have a look for that info. Sounds like you have at least dilation of the aorta, and yes, it probably needs repair, and it's definitely best to get a planned operation than an emergency, like mine.
Had a look at the info I have. Quite a lot matches the posts above, however, and assuming you're having a sternotomy, one area is bras - non-underwired and front opening seem to be favoured by the ladies (and some of the gents on Spironolactone ).
Information on suitable bras for wearing after surgery can be found at the pages:
In general terms about being in hospital, they'll make sure you're not in pain, but if anything isn't right, let them know - if you don't tell them, how will they know? Do take a few things to keep you happy such as phone/iPod plus earphones/earbuds *and charger! and the longest charging cable you have*, books and/or podcasts downloaded, an eye mask (it can be bright when you don't want it to be), and some soft foam earplugs (the beeps certainly get to me!). Also a nice simple soft bag to keep that stuff in within reach, as the above bits & pieces rolling around when you can't move much is not great and there's never enough surfaces to put things on. And if you're finding sleep difficult (once the initial recovery phase is past), don't be afraid to ask for a sleeping pill.
I'm sure you'll be fine, what you're having done is a very standard operation these days.
This is GREAT advice. A bag to put all the tech entertainment bits in is a great shout. I smiled at you researching bras for me. You’re so kind. I’ve a plan for this: I’m going to wear nursing singlets, which are kinda comfy under-vests with what’s called a ‘shelf bra’ built in - bonus is you can clip them open & shut for wound inspection...! They aren’t tight and can be stepped into (not over the head).
Hi there, that made me laugh about getting period as mine arrived about 3 days after surgery. I couldnt believe it 😩Nurses didn't bat an eyelid and perfectly normal to them. It was about 12 days before my hair was washed as I was in intensive care then high Dependency up till then. I just about fainted when a male nurse came to give me my first shower and wash hair, 🤣 I can laugh about it now. A few days later I was showering myself and washing my long hair. By the time I was home I was pretty independent. Best wishes I'm sure it will all go well. X
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I'm so glad it's gone so well for you!
<3
). 
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