Awaiting open heart surgery for mitral valve repair/ replacement

[Lemon19]

Hi I am awaiting the above op (consultant has said 3 month wait) but have had no face to face appointments due to covid. I have so many questions about this procedure but the main one is about the recovery period? I’m a busy primary school teacher and want to know if I’m being foolish to think I will be back at work 3 months after the op? Any advice about reliable sources of information would be very welcome? Thank you.

[Chappychap]

There is no "standard" recovery period from open heart surgery, everyone's different. However, the NHS commonly talk about returning to work six weeks following open heart surgery for a desk job, and eight weeks for a more physically active job. It's important to recognise that there's no-way anyone makes a complete recovery in this time frame, more that these timings are possible provided you take it fairly easy once you're back at work.

One of the critical things is how committed you are in completing your breathing/walking exercises following the operation. When the chest cavity is opened the lungs collapse and for the duration of the operation the breathing function is completed by oxygenating the blood supply via mechanical means, in other words the lungs remain collapsed throughout. Getting your lungs back to full capacity after the operation is a big job. This why your lung capacity is tested before the operation, and you have to meet certain minimum standards, it's because the doctors know you will temporarily lose a large percentage of your lung capacity and so you need to have a decent amount going into the operation. A nurse told me that most patients in fact gauge their recovery by how well their lungs are reflating and removing the last vestiges of micro collapse. So if you're determined to get back to work within twelve weeks then take your breathing/walking exercises seriously.

This is the leaflet that many hospitals give to patients following heart surgery. You may find the information useful,

guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/reso...

Good luck!

[Lemon19 in reply to Chappychap]

Thank you - this is really helpful

[Lovefrance]

I had a mitral valve repair a good few years ago. They had me out of bed the next day and walking a little. I was in hospital about a week and on arriving home could only walk a few steps to begin with.But as time goes on you gradually build your strength back up. Don’t forget we are all different and obviously it will depend on how fit you are now and of course your age. You will have been through a very emotional experience and this again takes time to recover. This is an every day operation to these surgeons and although it will seem daunting to you I am sure you will be fine. Just don’t go overdoing it and push yourself too much. Good luck and let us know how you get on. There are people on here who will all help you with advice and support.

[Lemon19 in reply to Lovefrance]

Thank you for such great advice!

[Blackcatsooty]

I can only offer you my experience of open heart surgery.Careful but enthusiastic daily walking, plus daily breathing exercises, i was ok after four months.

My surgery was very urgent so i had no time to prepare. You are very wise to be asking for info now.

No rehab available to me due to the pandemic.

I am surprised by suggestions of a return to work at six weeks.

As correctly pointed out by Chappychap, every case is different.

The worst part by far is waiting for the op.

Colin

[Lemon19 in reply to Blackcatsooty]

Thanks for this Colin - great advice!

[Hidden]

Hi

I had a mitral valve repair October 2020 and unfortunately am still recovering from it now.

To cut a long story short I had complications that have delayed my recovery by 3 months or so. The operation itself was a success.

As has been said out of bed the next day walking the corridors of the hospital, deep breathing, huffing and puffing as you went. Home 4 days later continuing the exercise regime, building slowly day by day.

We're all different, so to be blunt, when your time comes for the operation, forget about being a busy primary school teacher and think about yourself and recover fully before even entertaining going back to the day job. Better for you and your pupils to get it right the 1st time.

There's lots of advice on here about preparing for your return home after the op. All good and real life experiences so worth a read.

For me the best thing I did prior to my op was I got myself fitter which helped massively with the exercise afterwards.

Good luck to you. 👍

[Lemon19 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks so much for such great advice!

[080311]

Morning Lemon19

Welcome to the forum, I had Aortic valve replaced and bypass done 4 years ago, and like you completely dumb struck! The time scale they say 8-10 weeks for our sternum to heal, in that time no arms above your head no lifting anything heavier than half a kettle of water. No pushing or pulling movements so no hoovering or ironing 😂 a bonus for me! But as Chappychap says there is nothing set in stone we are all different.

Follow all the instructions you will be given for recovery, they really know what they are talking about, gentle walking to start with I used to count lamp posts and try and get to the next one on my next walk sounds silly but it worked.

The breathing exercises are really important I called them huffing and puffing keep doing them when you get home.

There are lots of tips we can give you, just ask and someone will be along to help, Things like pjs with buttons ( no arms above your head) 😂 and wearing bras.

You ask about reliable sources, don’t use Doctor Google, if you feel the need only use NHS and BHF websites. The BHF as some good information.

Remember you are now a member of the Hearties family and someone will be along to lend an ear or give you a shoulder to lean on if that’s what you need.

Best wishes Pauline.

[Lemon19 in reply to 080311]

Thank you Pauline - this has been really helpful!

[Dkhanka]

Hi Lemon 19 Sorry to hear about your situation. I can only talk from my experience. Recovery is different for different people. I was 40 when I had my first surgery and it was a complicated one. But I was back on my feet and driving 1.30hr each way on the 9week.

However I would say to be very careful and know your body. Being positive and a to do attitude definitely helps. But do not over do it . Start with less and gradually work on it. I am sure the post ops advice will include all this. Finally I would say to keep your body at peace and don’t stress it’s very important . Good diet and ample of sleep 🙏🏼

[Lemon19 in reply to Dkhanka]

Thank you for the great advice!

[Becksagogo]

You won't be good to anyone if you push yourself too hard to get back to work. They CAN do without you until you have fully recovered. Do as you are told and the chances are you will be back with your little angels in three months.Good Luck

[Lemon19 in reply to Becksagogo]

Thanks for the advice - this is just what I need to hear - I just need to learn to listen to you all now !

[CBH192]

Hi Lemon 😀

I recently had very unexpected open heart surgery to remove an atrial myxoma (benign tumour) and a mitral valve repair. I just had my 6 week post op check last week and the surgeon cleared me for work - I am a dental receptionist so it is not physical by any means. Personally however, I have decided to take some holiday and to also throw in to the mix I am 27 weeks pregnant! So will most likely take early maternity leave too. This is just my personal experience, because it was such a shock to me, I have decided not to rush back to work, 1 because you need time mentally to understand what you have been through (don’t underestimate it 😃) and 2 physically I want to be in the best shape for when my baby arrives in September. I would be keen to know how your quality of life is now? I had no idea I had any issues so I went from living a normal life to facing recovery from open heart surgery, which was a big shock for me. I say this not to make you anxious because believe me you will recover and feel stronger as time goes on, but you may be shocked how much the surgery wipes from you. I found the most simple things exhausting to begin with - however this is so normal after the surgery! I would not put pressure on yourself or give yourself a time frame. Take each day as it comes, with an equal amount of rest and gentle exercise because it really does help and it will get easier. If some days you feel like you can’t get off the sofa, then so be it! Follow your body! I would highly recommend a V pillow for your bed when you return home and a heat mat for your shoulders/back. It is very common to experience back and shoulder pain after surgery because of the position you are held in. I hope that is helpful to you and I would be more than happy to answer any questions if I am able

[Lemon19 in reply to CBH192]

Thank you for your advice - it’s been really useful.

[Cornishbeach in reply to CBH192]

Hi, I'm facing a mitral valve repair in the coming months - when you say 'the position you are held in' can you elaborate? I currently have a painful frozen shoulder and the the thought of more of this / worse pain on top of the OHS is freaking me out! I wouldnt wish a frozen shoulder on anyone. I've had it for 6 months now so will pray it's better before my op! Thanks

[CBH192 in reply to Cornishbeach]

Hello 😊 so my op was 5/6 hours. Without sounding graphic, your chest is opened quite wide for a long period of time hence a knock on effect on your upper back shoulders if that makes sense? However I was led on a wedge, slightly on my left hand side because I was 20 weeks pregnant at the time and it was better for the baby that way, so that may have had effect on my shoulder pain as well. I am 10 weeks post op and this is greatly improved, it just takes time! Sometimes I just feel a little bit stiff in the morning! The v pillow is great for support and the heat pad I would recommend 1 million% as it really relaxed my shoulders and back. Plus your pain relief of course! 😀 however back and shoulder pain is very common after the surgery unfortunately, but it does get better! x