we’ll it’s meant to be on Wednesday my op for the heart valve and I can tell you it’s kicking in now. No problem with the surgeon whatsoever it’s just my COPD worry. Still haven’t found the person who’s had it with COPD but im hanging in there
highburyted
Hi highburyted
I remember your last post expressing your concerns about having the op whilst diagnosed with COPD. Did you manage to speak to anyone at the cardiologist department about your concerns, or even the secretary?
I would like to think that a cardiologist would not perform an op if it were to put a patient at risk.
Let us know how the op goes and please try not to worry. Perhaps have a chat with the cardiologist tomorrow as a matter of urgency by phoning in.
All the best.
Tos
the surgeon said he’s done people with COPD before and they are ok, it’s my head!!!!
If you don’t mind me asking, where has your concern come from regarding a valve op on people with COPD? Did you perhaps read something somewhere which has triggered your worry?
it’s all down to my brain, I know how bad I sleep, although before the valve problem I still had a decent life, had an op 30 odd years ago and always remember the nurse saying thank christ he’s back. In saying this there is no way I can continue any longer like this so I will be going in with an upbeat mind
Hi
If you aren't a member of UK Aortic and Heart Defects Pre and Post surgery on Facebook already then would recommend joining and asking if anyone there has COPD.
Sending you best wishes
Joanne
Hi Joanne, OP has told me he is not on facebook and I don't know how to link him up with anyone in our group. 🤔
I concur with this it is a brilliant group
thanks
Waiting for any procedure can be challenging!
If you're not on Facebook there is a Healthunlocked group supporting people with
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, COPD.
Maybe post your question there too?
healthunlocked.com/copd-fri...
Have you been offered a transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) to replace your aortic valve?
Again maybe post a question about the TAVI procedure ?
Has the hospital sent you any information leaflets about the procedure?
You will be given the opportunity to discuss your concerns before the procedure. The Cardiologist should make a shared decision with you before you sign your consent form.
I use the BRAN decision tool to help me to make a choice about any treatment I am offered.
B- Benefits of the procedure
R- Risks of the procedure, can these be quantified in a way that is easily understood
A- Are there alternatives to this treatment
N- what if I choose to do nothing
I wish you luck for Wednesday.
Aw wow that's getting close. I know you will be fine and I wish you all the best and keep us updated when you feel up to it x
hi. I completely understand your anxiety. I felt exactly the same before both of my valve ops. The second one was done when I was at deaths door suffering from endocarditis. I nearly refused the surgery because I was so terrified that I wouldn’t make it but my family and the surgeon talked me round. If I had refused the surgery I wouldn’t be writing this now. It’s totally natural to be afraid but these surgeons do valve ops every day and they wouldn’t risk if it they thought you wouldn’t pull through. I’m sure you will be fine xx
I really appreciate your kind words and I’m glad your better Thanks
highburyted
Hello, are you having this done via TAVI? Or surgery?
hi they are doing it via keyhole surgery as I was told Ravi would have a problem with veins and the surgeon said it wouldn’t last as long, he seems happy to do it, the prob is my own thoughts, finding a person with COPD who has had it done would completely calm me down, in saying this, I can’t go on much longer as it is
Thanks for your comment
I'm sure as others have said, assessments will have been made in relation to your COPD. Risks / benefits . You'll be in professional hands. Try to focus on the opportunity given for you to lead a better quality and longer life. I hope all goes well. Let us know how you're getting on.
thank you, started no to believe
Just wanted to send you every best wish for your operation on Wednesday, HighburyTed.
thank you
To put your mind at rest I had AV replacement done last May. I was also diagnosed with having a moderate COPD.
The surgeons have set procedures in place to make sure the procedure goes well.
They will do tests for your COPD before the operation.
I know it is worrying but all will ok, it takes time but you will be fine.
Good luck keep us posted.
Regards
now that really helps thank you
Unfortunately I know very little about valve ops, Highbury (mine was a bypass), but it's only natural to be nervous before an op. I must have devoured a whole library's worth of murder/mystery novels in the weeks before mine just to try & keep my mind off it - even the surgeon was laughing about the amount of books I had in hospital with me! It was over before I knew it and, a year & a half later, I'm fitter than I was before the op. You'll get there - onward & upward as they say! Carol x
thanks
Hi HighburyTed , good luck and best wishes for a speedy recovery.
thank you
Hi I can understand your concerns. It is a big op, and you will be dependent on machines - the bypass for your heart and ventilator for your lungs - throughout. The person to talk to about this is the anaesthetist. You will be able to talk through the procedure and your fears when you are asked to sign the consent forms. Last time I had OHS the senior reg came to talk to me and the consent form was a booklet - she went through it carefully before I agreed to surgery and asked me if I had any concerns She discussed risks.. You may also have a visit from the anaesthetist or anaesthetic registrar - so ask about the risks, what after care they would recommend. Let them have all the information about your condition. If you don't see the anaesthetic team until you are in the anaesthetic room, talk to them then. In my experience they ask loads of questions, and give you plenty of opportunity to talk to them and ask them questions - you don't always get that change in an outpatient clinic. I am sure they would not operate unless they were ok about it.
That said, I am pleased that you now have a date and hopefully all goes well on Wednesday. Let us know how you are.
I will thanks
I agree totally with Francisw47 about having conversations with the anaesthetist. I have asthma and have had numerous amounts of surgery, including AV replacement. The anaesthetist is the one with the expert knowledge of lungs and how to take care of our breathing throughout our surgery. I have also found them to be good about checking up on me postop.All the best for Wednesday.
thank you
good morning highburyted,
My very best wishes to you ,
Not quite the same op but I had a triple bypass 3 weeks ago today , I do have COPD and type 1 diabetes, the care I got in Southampton was phenomenal, I was worried about my other condition but they looked after me with care , now at home and taking one day at a time ,
Again my very best wishes to you
thanks for that very helpful
I found both the surgeon and the anaesthetist very helpful before my valve replacement, left atrial appendage clip and ablation. The anaesthetist is the one who calls the shots in in operating room and as long as they are happy all will go well. I was worried about being aware of the ventilation tube when I woke up and the anaesthetist looked very affronted and said if that happens he hadn't been doing his job properly! He was right so try and trust yours although I do know how difficult it is to do.I wish you all the best for your op on Wednesday.
Hi try not to worry I had heart valve surgery 3 years ago I have copd and Asthma I was fine afterwards
thanks for that it helps
Highbury Ted, I love your reply where you said you are going into the op with an up beat mind, that is the best thing to do. Like any engine, when one of the valves isn't working properly the whole engine is at best sluggish or misfiring, once that valve is repaired or replaced the engine should run as sweetly and powerfully as before. The improvement is usually quite noticeable and once your heart is beating normally this will give your body an extra boost to enable the healing process to begin. I haven't ever had COPD but I do know from experience that surgeons have successfully dealt with unexpected breathing difficulties which are only discovered on the operating table, so they will have the expertise available to plan for and work safely with a known issue such as your COPD. You will be in good hands, you certainly should have a good sleep during the op and once you come round each day will be another step on the road to recovery.
I understand your anxiety regarding this but not only will the consultant need to be happy for the surgery to go ahead but also the anaesthetist, they will only do it if it is in your best interests, wishing you all the best 👍
thanks
Approaching 8 weeks post Aortic Surgery
Lady's operation 
Operation Date 1!
