Open heart surgery

[Sally_Scott]

I’m slightly anxious about my upcoming surgery for a mitral valve replacement and repair of atrium valve plus bypass on 16 January.

I suffer from COPD.

My worries are not actually about the heart side of the op, I have an amazing Clinical Lead who is extremely capable of this op. Amazing and clever stuff they can do now. Apparently the temperature of my body will be dropped significantly. It’s like science fiction lol.

My worry is the lung side of this operation. Because of my COPD and breathlessness (some due to my mitral valve regurgitation) I have been told it will be the difficult part to this. Something about air pockets in the lungs opening very slowly after coming off life support.

Also I have concerns about the actual recovery. I’m not very patient and it appears to be a long haul.

Any tips or advice from anyone who has had this done would be greatly appreciated.

I’m 74 female

[Hidden]

Hello

Happy new year 🎉

And one that is going to start with a new you soon when you have had this Bypass and valve operation

Yes it is true that they deflate the lungs and others will know more than me but one thing I do know even if something is going to be a bit more tricky for the Surgeons than usual they would not consider you for this op if they thought they could not do it so try and focus on that thought you are as you know in very safe hands

Do your breathing exercises after which are most important and follow everything they say and you will be ok

Now I know some are not patient but you are going to have to be as you body will need time to recover so get plenty to occupy yourself and you might manage the recovery fine even though you are not a patient person as your body only allows you to do what you can cope with after the op as you build yourself up again

Good Luck and I hope you will come and let us know how you are when you have had this done x

[Anon2023]

hi. Happy new year. I wish you health and happiness for 2023!

I’ve had two mitral valve replacements and the worst part was the waiting for the ops. Our minds get full of thoughts of “what if” and it can be absolutely terrifying. My first valve replacement was planned but my second was an emergency op. I was very poorly before the second op and it was unclear if I’d make it but I did, I was 51. I had significant pulmonary hypertension and endocarditis and after the op it took a while for my lungs to re inflate but they did. There are exercises that you need to do which can help but the physios should be with you to help. They started seeing me in itu and had me on my feet within 24 hours which is unbelievable considering I’d been virtually bed ridden for 2 months before. The recovery does take a long time and you need to be patient with your body. I wasn’t in a huge amount of pain after either op, I was just very tired and a bit uncomfortable from the sternotomy. There’s no getting away from the fact that it’s huge surgery and it will take time for you to recover, but you will. They wouldn’t risk doing the surgery otherwise. I’m happy to answer any questions that you might have. Good luck x

[Ageingfast]

don’t panic Sally.

Yes the recovery is long but not the least tedious. You will feel a little better every day or two so there is little chance for you to become a bad patient !

Look forward to spring weather and being home to watch the flowers grow.

And be prepared to congratulate yourself on a revolutionary good patient award.

Blackcatsooty

[Pilgrim2]

Hi Sally,I had OH surgery in November and yes you are right I did have some reduced lung capacity for a while. But it's not bad and gets a bit better everyday and also you have plenty else going on to busy yourself with after this sort of surgery. It's a slow careful recovery as everyone says, but you do see almost daily improvements. I imagine having your leaking valve fixed will longer term only improve your COPD? Good luck and try not to worry, these surgeons are amazing! Look forward to this Summer feeling better than ever!

[Bobkins99]

I had endocarditis and an MV valve repair in July. I have moderate heart failure, I'm 64 and am now back to archery with a 24lb bow and able to walk a couple of miles (as long as it's not up hill😉) Get up and walk as bit more each day. Do the cardio rehab if offered, if not follow the online guides on here. It IS a big deal, but very routine these days. Expect for it to take a while to get the medication right. Do question anything you're not comfortable with, but most of all treat it as another of those little life speedbumps that you get over. The best recovery is the mental one

[Hidden]

Hi the key to the recovery is one day at a time and try to do a little more each day and use all the support network the hospital has in place .As a good friend of mine said which helped me , any procedures they do we are not their first

Good luck