Update following aorta valve replacement

[Cowboy72]

This site and the people on it were a big help to me before my surgery so I thought I would share my experiences post surgery. It's been just over 4 weeks since surgery and so far everything has been going ok. No problems or complications post surgery. Did end up with a bonus new section of aorta that they replaced while putting in the new valve. Ended up with an Edwards tissue valve and some Dacron for the new section of aorta. Some of the issues I had were I underestimated how hard it is to sleep in the hospital and how much this surgery takes out of you. I stayed fit as possible up until surgery and that certainly helped with recovery and getting up and walking again. I'm not sure what advice I can offer for sleep other than dont be afraid to tell the nurses you need sleep even during the day. One problem I had was the heart seems to beat louder and stronger after surgery and that makes it hard to sleep. I found using sleep music like ocean sounds would help me stop focusing on the heart and relax and doze off. Also thought sleep would sort it self out once I was home, but its been 4 weeks and sleep is still intermittent but getting better slowly. I have also noticed my body has trouble regulating temperature and get hot or cold easy so wearing layers that can come off and on easy are a good idea. Chest is still sore but that heals slow I guess and nothing I can do to rush it and everyone's advice to not push it has been a help. I find stretching and doing the arm motion exercises really help keep the back and arms from getting stiff and sore. I can also say that the pain from the surgery was a pleasant surprise and other than coughing, sneezing or laughing with the chest the pain has been very mild and ok. I certainly expected more pain that what I have had. BP and pulse have been slightly high since the operation but seem to be coming down a little as the walking increases and as time goes by. I certainly dont want to go through this again and would in no way say its been easy but it is something that we can get through and the really best advice I can give people is stay positive focus on little improvements every day.

[Smarticus]

Hi, an excellent write up, good to hear you are doing well. This " everyone's advice to not push it has been a help" is the most important thing now, listen to your body, not your head. Its easy to slip into 'I could do this/x before - so I can now' give yourself mentally 2-3 months to do nothing much. What is hapening with rehab these days? Take care.

[Annie-blue]

Thank you. I have a severe Aortic Stenosis diagnoses but no surgery dates yet, just 6 monthly checks. I've not been in hospital since giving birth 40 years ago, so feeling very nervous about the whole thing. Reading success stories is very reassuring, so thank you for sharing.

[Robtrader in reply to Annie-blue]

I had the same Annie, just had the operation. If I can offer you one bit of advice - the worry is way worse than the reality. The operation isn’t great, it may hurt at bit but it passes so quickly before you know it you are on the other side eating dodgy macaroni cheese in hospital wondering what the fuss was about. Try not to waste time thinking about it and live your life. I listened to audiobooks on stoicism in the years leading up to the op - massively helped me.

[080311]

Hi so good to read you are recovering well, had to smile about regulating your body temperature, had my op 4 years ago and have said when they had me on bypass they altered my thermostat I am never cold now even in the winter and I live in Scotland 😂

Sleep will sort itself out, your brain as to catch up with what your body as been through, it’s sort of thinking what on earth as happened here!

Best wishes Pauline

[woodlandwonders in reply to 080311]

Do you think, if I asked nicely, they could turn mine up? I'm a soft southerner but before all this I worked outside in all weather. Now I wear ski socks in the summer

[080311 in reply to woodlandwonders]

That made me smile, have no idea why this as happened have always had warm feet but now it’s like I have my own central heating! Husband says put the heating on and I am really!

Maybe if you give them a nice smile they will up your thermostat😂

Pauline

[woodlandwonders in reply to 080311]

My new tablet has taken away my emoji power. But I'm definitely laughter tears emoji. Great start to my day, thank you!

[woodlandwonders]

Great post Cowboy72.

Honest, but hopeful and really reassuring, Thank you.

[Thanksnhs]

Hi your post made me smile, I am six weeks post transplant and I can mirror a lot of these things, I actually spoke to a nurse at 3am to ask if I was going through a second menopause, I am 61 hehe she said no the bright red face and hot flush was because my new heart was working and getting blood to places it never reached!, I was the same as well with the pain it wasn't as anywhere near as bad as I thought it be, I have a bit now with rib cartilage but it's getting easier, as you say sleep is still a problem, and I have a lot of side effects from the meds particularly the steroids and immunosuppressant, making eating a big problem, I am a bit under weight, but a small price to pay for a second chance and it's early days, I would have liked re hab but at the moment we don't have it, I am in Scotland, I think it would have been a great help I don't have a clue about excersise, I was ill for so long it wasn't something I could contemplate, I have been walking a bit further each day, but the weather is horrendous no way could I leave the house in that, good to hear about your recovery, onwards and upwards take care char

[Robtrader]

Hey Cowboy,

I am about 5 weeks behind you - I’m 46, had OHS on the 19th September replaced my rising aorta and gave me an Edwards valve. The OP was pretty much as expected actually with two days of unpleasantness plus a few more days getting it together at the hospital. 2 weeks in I feel far better than I would have expected. Night sweats my biggest issue and I ache in the chest occasionally. My heart also seems louder, but it’s not bothering me too much. Up and down during the day, but able to walk 2 miles per day and make lunch for the family. Feel a bit thick in the head and a little separated from people if that makes sense. Have to shield for 6 weeks, but that’s ok with me - spending a fortune on online groceries though!

How’s your fitness doing these days. You’ll be over the six week period now, hows the chest.

[Cowboy72]

Rob trader glad to hear you are doing well, the loud heart does get better and comes and goes as the body adjusts, I was going really well, walking 10km a day, feeling good and starting to get better sleep, popping into the office once or twice a week and then I hit a speed bump and got myself a nice case of shingles and ear infection. Moral of the story is we forget what we have been through and while our mind and emotions recover I think the body lags behind and I pushed myself a bit to hard. Probably should have been doing the 10 kms every other day to give the body some recovery time.

Never had shingles before so didn’t catch it as early as I could have but doing ok and just taking it easy now. Back to being bored and at home.

[Jay777]

Really great description of post op which mirrors my experience (6 weeks post op tomorrow). Hospital was so tiring I could hardly keep awake first week home. Being able to get away from the noise and the food relieved a lot of the anxiety about discharge which seemed quick at 7 days but I think that’s around average.

No news on rehab but walking (weather permitting). Definitely agree that run up to admission worse bit.