I am currently waiting for an operation on my mitral valve (OHS), feel pretty worried, but hopeful as am so tired of being constantly exhausted.
I would be really grateful if you could kindly answer some of my questions:
1) I understand that when I wake up, I’ll be intubated and I will not be able to breathe normally. I just don’t understand what will happen to my automatic breathing reflex? Will I have to force yourself not to breath?
2) Any words of advice on how to survive the first 48 hours post op? Will I be heavily sedated or just provided with pain relief? What will be the most uncomfortable bit?
3) Should I ask for a sleeping pill the night before the op? I suspect I will not be able to sleep due to stress.
4) Should I take my own pillow? I’ll be at Royal Brompton, not sure if hospital are different in this respect…
5) Should I take some water and snacks with me?
6) What suitcase size would not shock the hospital staff? I’m taking books, a nightie, pyjamas, dressing gown etc.
7) When will the hospital call my family to let them know the outcome of my op?
8) Will I be required to open my bowel before I can go home? I’m prone to constipation, so it might be problematic considering all the pain relief that I will receive.
9) Will I be required to wash my hair before I can go home? I’m female so need to know if I need to take my favourite shampoo and lots of hair clips :-). My hair is pretty short and when I don’t wash it in the morning, it looks like I am trying to achieve an extreme horror punk look – hope the nurses wont’ be too shocked
Sorry, I have so many question! Please share your stories
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Milaann
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I had my aortic valve replaced just round the corner from the Brompton, I was in The Cromwell. By far the worst bit was waiting to go in to hospital. By far. As soon as I got through the hospital doors the stress just fell away.
I was not intubated. When I awakened I was breathing on my own steam..
I hardly knew anything about the day after the op. I was in the ICU for a day then in HDU the next day after that. I had a one to one nurse for those days.
My sedation was massive. So I didn’t notice the pain relief.
I was provided with as many pillows as I wanted. Plus a Teddy roll for me to use and take home. You will get a letter telling you what to take in. Not a lot is necessary.
The surgeon rang my wife from the ICU but I didn’t even notice. Sedation is heavy.
No need to take food and water. It’s all available to you.
Yes you will need to open your bowels, but this will not be an issue before going home.
You will get a hair wash immediately before the op. You need to use the shampoo handed to you.
Well I hope that gives you a few clues. It is nothing like other hospital treatment. It is a very well organized and helpful process. The staff are cardiac trained and very expert at it.
I even have fond memories of my eight days in hospital.
I had horrid dreams. For the first few days.
You will be pretty thrilled at the level of care provided
Thank you so much for your lovely and positive reply! It's very useful I was pleasantly suprised that you had a one to one nurse for the first days and every single step was very well organised by the hospital.
How are you feeling now? Are you used to your new aortic valve now?
It would be more helpful if i said that after about sixteen weeks I felt just wonderful. Able to move and breath. I was reborn ! I can not feel the valve. I just dont know its there. I have a non metallic valve (Edwards Resilia) and its life is limited. But I am old so I dont need to think 25 years ahead. Mine is an aortic valve not a mitral.
The stitches came out easily and my scar is virtually invisible. I did have a very good surgeon, but maybe most of the surgeons are very good. With my permission, the operation was observed by trainee staff.
My female friend had good heart treatment at Brompton. And others say Basildon is good.
I took great care to follow the suggested rehab, which lasts many weeks. And I had a wife to run round after me. You will be quite incapacitated for a very minimum of six weeks and probably twelve weeks . But the great thing I found was that I felt better every two days.
when you wake up you will be groggy they will tell you that they are taking the tube out don’t worry you will breathe just as normal you won’t even think about it honestly .you won’t need shampoo as you will get the hospitals own which you must use it’s for germs it’s not the best but trust me you won’t care .they will have you sitting up out off bed probably day one you will really be surprised .good painkillers and they work.you won’t need a pillow from home .snacks etc are your choice but they will give you plenty ice water .I was offered a glass off whisky or a glass off sherry or a sleeping pill the night before .that’s true lol they gave my family a rough time to phone after I came out off theatre .yes your bowels will have to move before you can be discharged I took in a hand luggage case I was in for 7 days after the op I hope I have answered all your questions .you will be in safe hands easy to say don’t worry but yes you do that’s honest however there was no need .
I woke up from mitral valve repair still intubated. I heard someone say “it’s distressing her” , next thing I knew , three hours has passed. So don’t worry, you will get all the sedation you need.
The hospital told my husband not to ring them, they would ring him. I suppose this stops a member of staff rushing to the phone when there are more pressing issues.
I took enough pyjamas and clothes for a week. Once out of the high dependency unit they encourage you to get dressed and feel more human again. One thing I would recommend is jog/gym pants, pulling up any other trousers is hard work.
I made the mistake of thinking I could re-read Vanity Fair while in hospital. Take my advice and go for something as low brow as you can tolerate as brain fog is most definitely an issue. Puzzles are good too.
Once back on a normal ward I was allowed a shower and hair wash (with my own shampoo) exhausting but a step on the way to recovery.
I was very quickly aware that, although I still felt as weak as a kitten, my heart appeared to be doing all the right things.
Good luck with your op, it’s an anxious wait but you will be fine.
Hi I have recently been through this procedure and can really sympathise with your questions all of which tumble through your head ALL the time at the moment. Try to be calm and remember that lots of us have been there and got the tee shirt as they say. Its a normal days work for the surgeon and nurses.
Obviously these replies are based on my experience but basically it remains the same whoever has had the op. Do feel free to message me if you want to ask anything in particular.
I did not even recall coming round in ICU. I do not remember being intubated as this was all done and dusted before I was transferred to the ward. Don't worry about this part of the procedure. You will barely, if at all, know about it. Even if you are aware it will be so hazy as to not worry about.
The first 48 hours will fly by and you will not have time to worry about 'dealing' with anything. You will be heavily sedated and have tons of pain relief. Their intention is that you do not experience pain and if you have any discomfort it will be dealt with. I don't remember anything until I was back on the ward. Post operative amnesia is very common so again don't worry.
They offered me something the night before to help me sleep - advice ??? Take everything they offer 😀
Don't worry about pillows - they will give you loads - same for food and drink - I hardly ate during the first few days afterwards but drank tons. They encourage you to drink lots and keep the jug topped up constantly.
I took a big suitcase but hardly used anything until it was time to go home - dressing gown or a big wrap around cardigan and socks very useful - I tried to read but the brain fog does kick in - just slept and watched TV - easy !!
They give you lots of stuff to help with your bowels so don't worry about that - it happens - also be prepared for the weird dreams and strange feelings - it is all normal trust me.
I bought expensive special bras ready for afterwards and didn't use them. If you are a larger lady I cannot really advise but if you are able then close fitting crop tops are a much better bet. Much more comfortable - though you will need to be careful getting them on and off - no lifting of the arms remember. Practice at home beforehand - I got stretchy ones I could manoeuvre and the nurses will help remember.
The surgeon rang my husband as soon as he had finished - brilliant.
Nurses will help with hair washing if you ask - they like you to start showering as soon as you are able though you need to keep the dressing dry if you can. Dry shampoo was useful but if you have short hair I would just ask them to wash over with a wet flannel for a few days - again this is hard as you need to keep your arms down. And again I practiced at home.
PS I looked like the beast from the blue lagoon for several days - who cares !!!
Further advice - don't expect to recover as quickly as they tell you - it takes time and lets face it now we have had the surgery time is all we ever wanted. Relax into the rehab - I started painting again after years of being too busy - your body is about to have major heart and orthopaedic surgery and it needs love and care to get back to being even better than before. It happens and its wonderful.
PS now busier than ever and the painting has once again been confined to the 'hobbies I will start again sometime' bin
I had mitral valve surgery two years ago (exactly two years ago yesterday, in fact). You've had all your questions successfully answered already, but I'll just reiterate that the apprehension and nerves pre-surgery are definitely the worst part.
My top tip: assuming you are a mobile phone user I can highly recommend buying a long charging cable. Twisting and reaching for plug sockets will be tricky whilst you're in hospital. I had my op during lockdown, so no visitors and my phone was my connection to friends and family. Being able to have it plugged in whilst in bed was great.
We all know what you're going through and wish you all the best. Despite all the sedation and aches and pains I remember my heart feeling instantly better when I woke up after surgery.
All the best
Chris
I had my MV repair at the Brompton a couple of years ago. Absolutely 1st class treatment and care from the time I arrived to the time I left.I had a pre op phone call a few weeks in advance of going in so you should get the opportunity to ask your questions direct with one of the team.
Reading the responses above, though, gives you various 1st hand experiences which I couldn't add to.
Whilst in the hospital they will guide you through the early steps of recovery. Just ask any questions you have whilst on the wards, you'll be surprised how quickly you are encouraged to get up and start moving about.
Hi Milaan,I had a mitral valve repair via OHS in February.
1. You may not even be aware of being intubated or extubated as you are given a lot of sedation. I was sedated at 1pm and didn't wake up until 6am the next morning! It was all over. Apparently they took the breathing tube out at 11pm but I don't remember any of it. You will breathe normally and you may have oxygen on via a nasal cannulae tubing.
2. The first 24 hours may be a bit of a blur as you will have pain relief via the drips which made me pretty drowzy but effective . The first thing I remembered was being helped to get out of bed at 6am. I had some breakfast in a chair then back to bed. Bend your knees up when you get back into bed - this helped with discomfort when lying down - that was the most uncomfortable bit for me but once in I was fine. You have lots of pillows and support from 2 people to get in and out as you are attached to a few drips, drains and a urinary catheter.
The main drain will come out on day 2 if all is well. I got gas and air and oramorph for this on top of whatever they are still giving you via the drips. It's over pretty quick. Your days are pretty much trying to eat and drink - I didn't have much of an appetite but I made myself have something. At the end of day 2 I was moved from the ICU to the Cardiac High dependency ward.
3. Yes. I found the ward noisy and I didn't sleep well so wished I had taken up the offer.
4. They supply pillows.
5. They will provide water. I took the Robinsons concentrated juice which was easy to use. I took a few bags of sweets and wished I had taken a bag of crisps. Hopefully the food will be good and you can choose what you like.
6. A small one. I didn't use half of what I took. It's easier to be in a gown. I only put my own night clothes on once I got back to the ward and the neck drains were taken out. Slippers and dressing gown. I also bought an expensive post op bra that I only wore once as it rubbed on the drain wounds. I recommend sleep bras that you just pull on.
7. They call your family a few hours after the surgery.
8. Take all the bowel medicines offered. They will monitor it. I took baby wipes and a spray perfume (not ideal using a commode on the ward - hope you get an ensuite!) Day 3 before I went. Fybogel is disgusting so I opted for senna and it did the trick!
9. You have to shower and wash your hair in hibiscrub for a few days before admission and on the day of the op. You won't really care about it for the first few days. They will help you for first couple of days. Strip wash day 3 and 4. Shower day 5 and home! That shower is amazing!
Hope that all helps. Feel free to message if you have more!
Thank you so much for all your invaluable advice and kind support! You’ve been extremely helpful and generous with your knowledge, you lovely people You totally understand what I’m going through at the moment because you’ve been through these extremely difficult phycological and physical challenges. I feel so much better now and less anxious thanks to you. I hope all of you guys will stay healthy and will have a bright future with your upgraded and wonderful hearts
My husband had MV and Tricuspid valve repair 2 years ago and I would echo all the above advice. The hospital staff were fantastic and as it was COVID and no visitors I was extremely grateful to them for keeping me up to date and helping me when he did suffer with some post op psychosis and was constantly phoning me very distressed (that doesn’t happen to everyone so please don’t worry about that and it only lasted about 24 hours and was quickly dealt with with meds)
However, I just wanted to add one of the most helpful things for when he came home was a large wedge shaped pillow. This helped him during the day to sit upright and comfortable and aided his sleep at night. Amazon sell them and I’m sure other places too, it proved a very good investment.
He recovered very well and when he went back to see the consultant post op they said they couldn’t believe the progress he had made in the 6 weeks, it made such a difference to getting his life back!
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