Preparing for surgery

[Heartfriend]

Having just spent 2wks in hospital I am home and awaiting an urgent outpatient appt with the surgeon who has agreed my surgery should go ahead (supposedly 2/3 was until appt). How long now does this whole process take. He will apparently give me a date for surgery - I’m wondering about the preparation time. I’m seeing dentist this week. All a bit scary after 7 years going from mild to severe.

[Heartfriend]

I meant to say I’m waiting for aortic valve replacement and leaky valve repair

[Hidden in reply to Heartfriend]

Hi Heartfriend

So sorry your found yourself at the severe end of things. I was severe when diagnosed in July 2020. I had my surgery in January 2021.

Don’t let that make you think that yours will take as long. It was mid pandemic and everything was so slow. I went in the list in early October. I was only operated on in January because I deteriorated quite significantly.

It sounds as if you are more than ready for the AVR and it will happen very soon.

I don’t know how ready you are practically. If you look at my posts when I first came on here and asked these wonderful people questions about what I needed to do pre op, the list is so helpful. I did use all of the hints and helpful ideas.

The Hearties ❤️ are a very supportive and knowledgeable group of people who have all been there and their advice is so good. Welcome to the group and I hope it goes well for you. Let us know how you get on.

❤️Maisie❤️

[Heartfriend in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Maisie..! I was discussed at the Multi Disciplinary Meeting last week and they agreed to go ahead. My consultant then said that the Surgeon at the meeting will send out an urgent OP appt and he will let me know the surgery date. I guess im wondering if I will go on a long list or whether it will be quicker as I’ve already been discussed etc. I wonder because of my work. Im off just at the moment to recover from 2 weeks in hospital and extensive tests. Im black and blue and tired

[080311]

Hello and welcome to the forum,

I can see you are seeing your dentist this week and that is a sure sign that your surgery is imminent, the dental check up hasn’t a long shelf life for our surgery.

I can appreciate it’s a scary place you have found yourself in but believe me it’s not as bad as our imagination makes it. I am 5 years on from my Aortic valve replacement and bypass and am grateful every day to the very clever medical team that gave me my life back.

I send you best wishes for a great recovery

Pauline

[Heartfriend in reply to 080311]

Thank you. Is it a sure sign that the surgeon who was in the board to discuss my case is seeing me via urgent OP appt..?

[080311 in reply to Heartfriend]

Looks really promising, fingers crossed and you will be on the heart mended road before you know it.

Pauline

[Chrissyh80]

I've just had my 3rd year anniversary for AVR and am greatful every day❤ I was same as you - went from mild to severe in no time. My surgeon was fantastic and put me at ease on the morning of my surgery. They do these ops every day and it really is like a walk in the park to them (his words😊) Any questions are always answered on this group - it's a great lifeline. Sending you strength for your recovery fellow Hearty❤ Looking forward to hearing from you xxx

[Heartfriend in reply to Chrissyh80]

Thank you. I’ve got my appt with the surgeon on 02 Dec I’m just so stressed about whether I’m going on a waiting list or whether I will be booked in. I guess I’ll just have to wait and see the outcome of the meeting

[Sax-Man]

Hi,

I understand your anxiety. But having had my aortic valve replaced in April this year, I can tell you they a fantastic at thr surgery now. It’s nowhere as bad as I thought and I was not really in pain. The pain medicines are great as is the care. I got sent a very helpful and detailed set of information on how to prepare before surgery and the advice on this forum was excellent. Don’t feel shy to ask for anything at all.

I did what they recommended post op: mainly to do my breathing exercises and to walk as much as I could reasonably do. Recovery was fine. I was walking 9k within 6-7 weeks just going a little everyday once I felt strong enough. Now, life is almost back to normal!

I’m Sure you’ll fly through it too!

[Tomatoes123]

Hi there,It’s really normal to feel as you do. I’m in a similar place, waiting for replacement of an aortic valve. I’m also at the severe stage. Yesterday I had a coronary angiogram and fortunately the arteries are clear. The wonderful people on this forum and the heart hospital teams have been so helpful and reassuring. Although valve replacement is a common procedure we are all individuals and respond differently to how we feel. In addition to this fab forum and medical teams what has helped me is to live a normal as life as possible which for my wife and I includes our daily walks, spending time with the grandkids and friends and on our hobbies. Unlike you I don’t have a date yet for the surgery as the consultant who checked out my pipes said he will be referring me to Papworth this week. I will continue to try to start ‘reasonably fit’ as I think that will help the recovery. I also really do feel fortunate that the issue has been found and can be dealt with. All the very best wishes to you, Mike

[HarryBell]

Hi, I had triple bypass and aortic valve replacement 4 months ago, if you think I could help by chatting please let me know. I would write immediately to your gp and surgeon spelling out your concerns and the potential threat to your life by delaying this vital op, that may ensure a speedier result, good luck Ron

[marigoldb]

I had AVR and single bypass July 2019, every time I go upstairs to bed, am so thankful that I am not breathless as I was pre op. I know it’s their daily work, but I still think it’s amazing what our surgeons can do. Best wishes