Hi there, my partner has been diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis and will need a valve replacement soon. He has congenital heart disease and this will be his third open heart surgery.
Has anyone here undergone multiple surgeries? How was it? There isn't much information online and I'm keen to know how people fare when having multiple sternotomies. He's 55, very fit and otherwise healthy.
Thanks in advance.
Hi 5au5ages,I’ve had 5 valve replacements now, 4 open heart and my last one, 9 months ago, was a minimally invasive where they go in through your right side and across your chest.
You’ll find a few people on here who have had multiple surgeries and personally, I find it gets a bit easier each time as you know more of what to expect. The recovery was no worse than the first time. In fact, again, a bit easier as you know your limitations and how you’re going to feel . I’m 54 so a similar age to your husband and life has generally gone back to normal for me. I can still do 18 holes on a golf course so I can’t be doing too bad! The difference this time is that I’ve had a mechanical valve for the first time (my last surgery was my mitral) and so am on warfarin. Ok, a few adjustment s because of that but it isn’t the awful life changing drug I thought it would be. Am still trying to get used the the ticking sound of the valve which is probably the worse part of it. Otherwise, all good.
When is his surgery happening? Please keep us all updated
Wishing you both well x
Hi Clairealou, thank you so much for getting back to me. Wow, 5! I'm glad to hear you're doing so well, and it's reassuring to hear that multiple redos are not all that uncommon.
He will be having his porcine aortic valve replaced, not sure when yet. We're hoping for the Ross procedure, but we're still waiting for the CT angiogram to give us a better idea of what's going on before a plan is made.
Thanks again and all the best. X
What a magnificent survivor you are, truly inspiring thank you
Thanks but it’s more about not having a choice. You just have to get on with it. The truly inspirational people are the wonderful NHS staff at Kings College Hospital in London who have done 4 of my 5 surgeries. They are the ones who keep patching me up and supporting me through it all. We’re so lucky in this country to have such an amazing service with truly talented and caring people in it. I’m also very lucky to have an amazing GP who has helped me a lot.
Hello 
I saw your post last night and thought goodness me poor man having to have surgery again and the worry their partner is going through as partners do and I think we can forget
I knew that there were members that had multiple surgeries and was just hoping they would reply and so pleased that some have and really reassuring to which I hope has helped
I just wanted to say that these Consultants and surgeons weigh everything up and are so good at what they do that if they felt your partner was not going to benefit and was not healthy enough to have surgery again they would not do it
As you say he is healthy in every other way so I can imagine he will get through this just like he has his previous surgeries
Please keep us updated how everything goes and how you are both doing x
Hello
You must both be quite fed up with the prospect. I've had two surgeries, the second was not so great. But I'm older, was really not well when I went into theatre (which can seriously impact recovery time) but three years later (almost to the day) here I am responding to your post.
Clairealou is an inspiration ......so when you are worrying think of her!!
I was told the risks are no greater for second and third surgeries - they alter after that. I was nowhere near as worried second time as I knew what to expect afterwards and knew what to do and so on....so as Claireilou says, the waiting does get easier.
There are several other 'hearties' here who have had more than one surgery....hoepfully they will be along too.
Please do let us know what your progress is.
Frances
Thank you so much for your response, it is quite reassuring to hear stories like yours. Wishing you all the best. X
Hi. I had two open heart surgeries within a 4 month period. I found the second time a bit easier. I think the fear of the unknown was worse than anything the first time round. I’m terms of the sternotomy I think I healed better the second time, although my scar is quite wide it’s not uncomfortable. I was able to sleep on my side quicker and off painkillers after a couple of weeks. I knew what to expect and what I needed to do. I hope all goes well for your husbands surgery and that you are both ok.
Thank you for your reply, I'm glad you're doing OK. Thanks for your well wishes x
I had AS and after a long chat with my consultant I went for the mechanical valve, as I was only 53 and did not want more surgeries in the future, especially as I grew older and more fragile. I have my life back fully. Ok, I'm on warfarin, but no big deal in exchange for being with my family and fully fit. Other members of my family weren't so lucky. They all died of an instant heart attack. I survived mine and was then diagnosed with AS.
I have had 2 within 1 year to replace mitral valve and repair tricuspid. First op replacement valve to big. Second op more thorough and no problem with my sternum longer recovery
Hey
I have had two open heart surgeries and one groin surgery. I am might be having another one this year my consultants are deciding what procedure to do.
Apart from feeling little rubbish for few weeks in general all good and back to fitness I hope it all goes well for him Xx
hi there. Just wondering if your husband has now had his surgery and if so, how’s he doing? Just thinking about you both x
Hi Clairealou, thank you for asking 😊. Yes, he's had his surgery and feels great! Has his yearly appointment soon. Ended up with an Edwards Inspiris Resilia valve and all seems to have gone great. Feeling very lucky and grateful x
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