Recovery after minimal invasive AVR

[BernieMB]

It’s 9 weeks since my op and I’m still shattered. Finding walking difficult but still doing it. My stamina is very much reduced and I have had issues with the wounds. Still in some pain down my right side under my right arm and around to the back. My right breast also hurts. When I take in a deep breath or sneeze my right side hurts. Still waiting on Cardiac Rehab and am hoping it will improve things. The type of minimal invasive surgery did not involve cutting the sternum so recovery is supposed to be much quicker. When I read the literature it’s telling me that you can be driving after a few weeks. That has not been my experience.

Has anyone else had this experience with minimal invasive surgery.

[Jocastina]

Hello, I just had minimally invasive surgery last week to replace my mitral valve so I can’t give you the long term perspective I’m afraid, but so far, I feel your pain! They may not have opened the sternum but my right side/shoulder feels horrible, my right breast is sore, swollen and misshapen and apparently my sternum is quite low so they had to push up against it quite a lot to get the access they needed. I’m still in hospital, likely to go home today or tomorrow and am really looking forward to some decent food, uninterrupted sleep and consistent temperature - it’s either boiling or freezing here, nothing in between! But I’m so glad to have got this done now. I’ll keep you posted on recovery. I’ll be asking the doctors today about the breast pain/shape.

[BernieMB in reply to Jocastina]

Thank you for your reply. I hope you feel better soon. I had the swollen misshapen breast also and quite painful. It’s still swollen a bit but not quite as sore. When you get home you do feel a lot better in your own surroundings. You will also be able to sleep better. I think part of my problem is I underestimated how my body would react to this surgery. We have to be kind to ourselves.

[Jocastina in reply to BernieMB]

I asked about the breast thing today and was told it should go down and return to something more normal in time and to get in touch if it doesn’t.

[Glemham]

I had my mitral valve repaired in November 19 at the age of 68 with minimally invasive surgery but it wasn’t the walk in the park I’d been hoping for. Except for not cutting the sternum, the actual procedure was the same , so the after effects are still pretty major, if not as bad. The body isn’t keen on blood by pass…it took at least a couple of months before the pain went in my right breast and underarm but was eventually told it’s because of nerve damage from the surgery. That makes sense but wasn’t warned of that in hospital. Also be aware that as it’s still fairly new and comparatively rare surgery, the GP might not know much about it. It took me a few months to recover mentally and physically and to be honest it was a year before I felt back to my old self ( not helped by Covid stopping any in person rehab) However I would really recommend anyone to have this type of surgery , if it’s suitable for your condition, as it is, as it says on the tin, much less invasive so the recovery is easier.

[BernieMB in reply to Glemham]

Thank you for your reply. I completely agree with you. Although the sternum is not cut in this type of surgery, the affect on the body is just as bad. The body does not like bypass either. I agree that the GP may not know too much about minimal invasive surgery either. I underestimated the affect it would have on me and believed what I read on google about the quick recovery. I would still definitely recommend minimal invasive as opposed to open heart surgery if it is suitable for you as it is not as painful. I’m grateful to the team who performed my surgery and the care I have been given but I should have been more realistic about my recovery.

[Glemham in reply to BernieMB]

Yep. I’m with you there. Best wishes for a speedy recovery

[Sheamah]

Hia. I have had 2 heart procedures and both were very different. I went through the full range of emotions and just getting back to exercise, meditation helps and healthy food. The key is be kind to yourself. Be you when you need to be you. 🥰