Need help - surgery advice

[Duffy14]

Diagnosed Sept 2020 and just been informed they are proceeding with Mitral Valve mechanical - open heart surgery in the coming weeks - anyone had this done, partner is needing to talk to someone who has gone through this - pre op fears / stresses / post op. Any advice welcome, please help.

[MickP1000]

Hi, I had a mechanical aortic valve and an ascending and root aortic graft last October. My wife was extremely worried about it and it was made worse with Covid meaning she couldn't visit. No denying it's a big operation but the surgeons that do it are highly skilled. I was 4 days in critical care but that is not as bad as it sounds, it's just to monitor you. I was walking round the ward on day 2 I think. 9 days in total in hospital, they want to make sure you can dress yourself / shower before you come home. First 4 weeks are a little tough but you can do more every day, just don't push yourself. Sleeping is a little difficult as ideally you are on your back. You'll need to go for regular warfarin check, but that is routine, at our local hospital it's drive through and very quick. I was driving 4 and a half weeks post operation but don't lift anything too heavy for 3 months. Cardio rehab was very helpful at hospital and we did lot of walking - I thoroughly recommend that, builds up stamina etc. Went back to work after about 9 weeks and feel fine now, signed off by surgeon. My wife took it all badly and needed counselling - I know that may not help you but it does affect some like that. She struggled as I went in well (no symptoms just swelling aorta) and came out poorly. But you trust the surgeons, they wouldn't do it unless you needed it. She's a lot better now and we are enjoying life with our sons. No regrets from me I can go a long time forgetting I had it - onwards and upwards and far less risk than not having it done. hope that is some help

[MickP1000]

Oh and your best friend for the early weeks will be a rolled up towel or a cushion to hold against your chest if you cough or laugh. The main thing with the whole op is allowing your chest to heal. I took paracetamol daily for the first few weeks but pretty sure I was off them after 3 or 4 weeks. Good luck!

[Duffy14 in reply to MickP1000]

Thank you Mick, I will show my partner your responses when he's back later. and I am sure he will message you direct. I set this up as he feels he needed to speak to people who had gone through this and what their experiences were before, ie fears/ stresses/ post op, as I am sure you can appreciate. I have recently had an operation but can only empathise so far, but this is a great forum and feedback to have. Thank you for taking the time.

[080311]

Hello Duffy14,

Welcome to the forum, I sometimes think it’s our loved ones who go through nearly as much as we do when we have to go through our heart issues. She will become your supporter when you get home, but in all this she needs to remember to take time for herself.

As for the surgery I had Aortic valve replaced and bypass done 4 years ago, you will have been given the advice of no arms above your head no lifting anything heavier than half a kettle of water, and no hoovering mowing the lawns ironing 😂it’s the pulling pushing movements. You will be given breathing exercises to do by the physios in hospital I called them huffing and puffing keep doing them when you get home, remember your lungs are collapsed when we are on bypass so all those little pockets need to be filled out again. They really do help.

Sleeping can be a problem, I am I side sleeper and getting comfortable on my back was a little difficult used to sleep with my arms wrapped around a rolled up baby blanket, this used to go everywhere with me, family called it Mums teddy need it for when you cough sneeze or laugh!

I was really sick before my surgery spent 7 weeks in hospital before being transferred to the specialist heart hospital but was only in for 7 days in total there, so you can see what a difference the surgery made.

Remember when you get home it’s baby steps listen to your body when it says I am tired you rest, don’t be surprised if you get emotional it’s normal, your brain as to catch up with what as happened to you. Your medical team do this as their day job, and will be the best at what they do.

I am grateful every day for my team giving me my life back.

I send you best wishes to you and your wife.

Pauline

[Duffy14 in reply to 080311]

Amazing Pauline, thank you for your response. I will show my partner your responses when he's back later, as it is him himself who is going through this. I set this up as he feels he needed to speak to people who had gone through this and what their experiences were before, ie fears/ stresses/ post op, as I am sure you can appreciate. I have recently had an operation but can only empathise so far, but this is a great forum and feedback to have. Thank you for taking the time.

[Ageingfast]

By far the worst bit is waiting for the op. Mine was May last year, with the pandemic roaring in to our lives. So i was on my own. And that was ok. Mobile phone got used a lot !

The surgeons, nurses and the support staff were wonderful. I think they found it easier to concentrate on you, the patient, and not have to deal with our families.

And they phoned home for me as soon as the op was done.

Regarding your partner, they will need to help you a lot for three months. But the recovery progress is good and fast. Three months and you will be on the home run.

Best wishes

Colin

[Duffy14 in reply to Ageingfast]

Thank you Colin great to hear so much positivity

[andy110519]

Hi, I had an aortic valve and ascending aorta graft done 2 years ago at the age of 49. My family and I had very little time to worry about it as I'd known nothing until a cardiac arrest a week previously!The surgeon did say valve work was routine for them although still major surgery for patient. I was out within a week and just took it easy but made sure I was making the effort, do listen to your body though. As well as the towel I also had a webbing strap attached to the end of the bed so I could pull myself up rather than push down behind me and I borrowed a chair for the lounge as the settee was too low for me to get out of.

However, I can now run a 5k faster than pre surgery and I was the fastest in the pool last night although I still can't sleep on my left side.

Good luck, it was not as bad as I expected.

Andy

[Duffy14 in reply to andy110519]

Amazing Thank you Andy, great to hear your recovery and where your fitness is now. Thanks for taking the time to respond