Hi
This is the first time I’ve posted so hope you can help please.
My hubby has an appointment this Thursday to see the surgeon to discuss mitral heart valve replacement options. It has been such a shock to us both and we are still feeling fairly numbed by it all. There are a number of very obvious questions that we want to ask the surgeon but we’re wondering if anyone has suggestions of any, perhaps more obscure questions we should consider asking that would be relevant.
Thank you! 🙂
Hi DozyB warm welcome to the forum! ❤️. Sound like you and your husband have a lot to deal with in such a short amount of time 💔😟. I am waiting valve replacement surgery for my aortic valve been told I will need it eventually. I haven't actually thought of any questions to ask yet. I'm sure there will be other members along soon to help you what questions to ask the surgeon. I wish your husband all the best for his appointment with his surgeon on Thursday! 🥰 Take care x
Hi Yumz. I had an Aortic valve replacement in London in February after a long wait, because my symptoms were getting worse. I had a TAVI procedure done. Luckily not open heart surgery. The procedure was ok. The worse bit was having to lie straight and not move for 6 hours after it!! I only stayed in hospital 2 nights. I only then realised how bad I was before having it done. I recovered extremely quickly, and have had absolutely trouble since. If you are able to have the TAVI, I thoroughly recommend it. Good luck and keep losing the outcome Thinking of you
What symptoms did you have?? My consultant, well a member of his team said when I do require valve replacement surgery it will be major surgery which I can only assume they mean open heart surgery, would be great to be considered for a TAVI. I did read somewhere that people with bicuspid aortic valve don't qualify for TAVI procedure x
Ever since I was diagnosed with a heart murmur about 6 years ago, I have had annual ECHOCARDIOGRAMS, to check on the increase in my Aortic Stenosis. As this got worse I began to feel more tired and got out of breadth and unable to walk as far as before. Then I began to get chest pain on very little exertion. I only now realise how bad I was getting. I can’t comment on the situation of yourBicuspid Aortic replacement as it seems my situation is slightly different. Good luck. Shall be interested in your procedure outcome.
your symptoms sound similar to mine only my stenosis is moderate so obviously dont need surgery yet. Yeah that's true everyone is different. I have had mine since birth and you obviously but yours is more recent. Yeah it will hopefully I won't need OHS but if I do then I know I'll get through it I have been through so much and I'm still here! 😅. Glad your symptoms were picked up and you was able to have your surgery x
If you look to the side of this post page now you will see a column on the right hand side that is titled "Related Posts".While you are waiting for members to add their suggestions it would also be helpful for you to read some of the related posts in that list too.
As well as giving you an idea of people's experience of the operation I'm sure you will find many questions that have been shared in those posts that you might want to ask your surgeon,
Write them down and tick them off as you go in the appointment so you don't accidentally forget something you wanted to ask because of nerves. Having a notebook with you helps , so you can jot down the answers you get , or, quickly write down other questions that might pop into your head while the surgeon is talking.
If you do have more questions about what is discussed do come on here and post again so that the forum can help explain anything you have been told that you might not completely understand or you are concerned about.
Take care , both of you , Bee
Hello. My husband had a valve replacement and he's doing really well now. But at the time - oh my goodness, its was scary and not knowing what to expect or what to ask and the anticipation were the worst. But we got through it and I’m sure you both will too
With regards to questions, have you looked at the BHF website? If you type “questions to ask before valve replacement” into the search loads of info comes up including questions to ask. And the brilliant BHF nurses on their helpline are always good for sound advice. 0808 802 1234 Mondays to Fridays 9-5.
Best wishes to you and your husband.
Dear Dozy
Your surgeon will discuss anything that he/she needs to talk about. Maybe you could ask when the operation is likely to take place. And ask if there is anything that you can do to assist the surgeon. My experience was that waiting for the op was by far the worst bit. I did not need nor want to know details. I appreciate that I am a minority, but I just don’t see any reason to ask questions. The care in a cardiac ward is fabulous. The operation is safe, success rate 99%+. Arrangements for convalescence need to be in place.
You will get leaflets about after care.
The replacement valve changed my life. And indeed saved my life. I had open heart surgery, not a TAVi. That was the surgeons recommendation.
Let us know how things go.
Sooty
Hi, I've done OHS on three occasions and I'm not sure there are any 'right' questions to ask. Having said that, I think its very important to understand the difference in Valve types, if you are unaware of the options. Tissue or Mechanical, the potential of futureproofing comes to mind. Your husbands age can have a bearing, if you consider the surgery as being a once in a lifetime event. You could ask so many questions, that in many ways it becomes a blur, so I always took the view to keep it short, and listen to what was being said, my main interest ammounted to when will it be done, once I'd decided on valve type. A lot of people will simply go with the surgeons recommendations rather than overthinking things.
I found meeting surgeons a key factor, and believe its important that you walk out the appt with full confidence, trust and I suppose faith in the surgeon. My first surgeon put our minds at rest very quickly and we just knew it was going to go well. He more than anyone, set the tone for my lack of anxiety going back 29 years or so.
As a multiple patient, in my experience, I truly believe that its easier for the patient than for the spouse, so you need to look after yourself as well.
Take care
Hi DozyBI had a replacement aortic valve 16 months ago and totally get the sense of shock.
The best thing that I did was join a Facebook group called UK Aortic and Heart Defects Pre and Post surgery. Everyone in the group is either on the journey, has been on it, or is supporting somebody else who is.
I got so much help and advice from the group and I know try and do the same for others.
Where in the journey is he? Has he had CT scans, Echocardiogram, ECGs?
If not then ask the surgeon what tests are needed before surgery, maybe what sort of timescale you are looking at too.
I was given the number of a designated valve nurse, she was /is amazing and was my first point of contact if I had any worries or queries. If she couldn't give me the answers she sought them for me. She also came with me for my tests as I was really anxious, and she was in the meeting with me when I first saw the surgeon. Just as well because I didn't take very much in at all.
Ask if the hospital have anyone that could support your husband up to, and beyond surgery.
Good luck with the appointment , and have a think about joining the Facebook group. Say hi if you do 😊
Joanne
Can I suggest that you take along a small notebook and pen because as well as pre-prepared questions no doubt others will arise during the conversation. It will likely be stressful and easy to forget what you have been told
Good Morning....I am almost a year post mitral and tricuspid valve surgery. Initially being told does come as a shock and for me, after a lifetime of being fit and healthy it came as a bolt out of the blue and knocked me sideways but I soon came to realise, after the initial panic, that this operation is fairly common. I had such good advice from others on the forum that also put my mind at ease. First of all I suggest you don't sit and just Google in panic...only use reputable sites. A big question to ask at your appointment.....is the valve able to be repaired or will it be replaced....if replacement then what type? You will need an idea of how long the wait will be...ask about cancellations and can your husband be put on that list. Make sure you come away with contact numbers....and especially the surgeon/ consultants secretary...it's a good number to have. You've had lots of other good suggestions from others on the forum so I hope from the information that you can make up a list of relevant questions that will help put your mind at ease. If you want to know anything else I might be able to help with, please feel free to pm me but also in saying that, i am not medically trained so can only tell you about personal experience with regard to the op and recovery. All the best for your appointment and I hope you are left with more of an understanding about the problem and the procedure after you have been ....cheers X
Hi and welcome. I had OHS in January for a new mitral and aortic valves in St Thomas’s in London.
Not going to lie , it was tough at first, but tbh being a man is easier as they don’t have boobs to get in the way! Not sure exactly what you want to know so please just ask a specific question and I will reply. X
Hi
Many thanks for responses 🥰
Just a bit of background. Hubby went for a pre assessment in February this to have a cartilage repair in his knee and being over 70 he had to have a ECG (this was done by the NHS at a private hospital). He was then told that they wanted him to see a cardiologist in 10 days time. We thought nothing of it and turned up at the appointment. To say we were shocked and stunned is an understatement! The cardiologist said he had AF and mitral valve prolapse and regurgitation and he needed to have a TOE to see if it was moderate or severe. We had a bad night that night as we were in such shock. My hubby has had no symptoms apart from tiredness which he has anyway with his fibromyalgia. He’s had the TOE and the regurgitation is severe and he only has 2 leaflets holding the valve on 1 side, the other 4 are broken so it’s a replacement and not a repair. He’s had all the tests eg angiogram etc so now it’s the appointment with the surgeon on Thursday! And to top it all we had to cancel 2 holidays as the consultant said it’s paramount that it’s done (we should have been away at the mo! 😟)
Ahhh that's so much to go though so sorry you had to cancel your holiday aswell what a nightmare. Glad it's being sorted out so quickly though ❤️.
hi - I had aortic valve replacement in December 21 - by March 22 I was back at work . I thank the heavens etc every day for the heart surgeons who transformed my life .
Yes it’s scary but those guys do this as their day jobs they are skilled dedicated and gifted listen to their advice - they will not approach anything surgical without doing very thorough due diligence - be guided .
The big questions are mechanical or tissue . Look up the pros and cons and again listen to their advice .
It’s a journey much tougher for the partner really but look to the future when you get that perky spritely husband back !!!
Good luck to you both x
CH
Had a severe regurgitating Aortic Valve diagnosed mid May this year. Had OHS for AVR (tissue valve) on 16th June and feel great. Whilst in there they also did a single bypass (CABG) as 'futureproofing' my condition. Recovery is, so far, going brilliantly. Choice is pig, cow or mechanical valves. I'm 70 and chose cow as it is expected to last 20 years or so. Pig is 12. Mechanical requires you to take warfarin for life . Do some research, I did whilst in hospital waiting for my op, and ask the doctors about which they would suggest for your circumstances.
Mechanical Heart Valve Replacement
Anti-coagulants after (Aortic) heart valve replacement surgery?
Awaiting open heart surgery for mitral valve repair/ replacement 
Heart Valve Replacement Surgery options
Post Op meeting with Surgeon 
