Good Morning
So I now have a date for surger for valve replacement and possible dilated aorta repair. Have decided on tissue valve. Anyone out there had similar op have any tips on how to stay calm and positive for the next two weeks? My biggest support is my daughter but she is now feeling the strain and worry and isvery tearful. How do I stay strong for her?
I can't say anything about a dilated aorta repair, but I had a tissue valve inserted last July and the next day walked for 70 minutes in several easy stages around the hospital. I might have been discharged after one night but was kept in for a second one to check that I didn't need a pacemaker. Three weeks later, I was told I could mow the lawn and resume my sex life. After seven weeks I did a seven-hour walk on Salisbury Plain. It's important to have company for a few days after the op just in case.
Had both operations back in 2005 at age 48, went for mechanical valve as I didn’t want to go through the operation again. Was told valve would last a life time recent tests show it’s still working fine. I could hardly walk before the operation so was actually looking forward to it , just tell yourself you will be back to your old self once you have had it. And you will for me the results have been amazing .
Good morning....the thought of heart surgery is scary but try to remember that valve surgery is a fairly routine operation now and is carried out often by the most dedicated people. You are having an aortic repair as well but you really will be in the best hands. My daughter was amazing before my surgery. She did her own research which she said put her mind at ease but personally I was very calm in the end about my surgery. I was quite poorly after having had cancellations at the last minute so I was actually relieved when I finally went to theatre. Before my op I made sure to do breathing and coughing exercises which helped so much for afterwards. Everyone's recovery is different and it's not always a textbook journey but the biggest thing I found afterwards is just take each day as it comes. There are good days and some where you feel not so good but this is completely normal. Make sure you get plenty of rest...the hospital will give you plenty of information on what you should and shouldn't do. If people offer to help...let them and dont put pressure on yourself to do things or feel guilty if you can't do them. Your recovery is your own journey and you will have a new normal to adjust to so don't try to run before you can walk. Exercise is one of the biggest must do's...even if you don't feel like doing it. I know you will get lots of advice from people on the forum so I hope you can take the best bits from all the information. All the best with everything and make sure you update us. Xxx
Thank you so much for taking the time to write those reassuring words. Am trying to focus on maintaining a strong and positive attitude that will hopefully give my girl the strength she is looking for.
Being positive yourself will also be a big help after your operation but beforehand if your daughter sees that you aren't scared I'm sure that will help but it's only natural she feels worried and it is completely normal. If you feel the need to pm me I really don't mind but I know you will get lots of reassurance and support from the forum. All the best xxx
Hi
My husband is also due repair of aortic root but he is hoping the surgeon can use his own bicuspid valve (dispute it being abnormal but working well at present) but if not he too has chosen a tissue valve on 24th June at QE Birmingham.
This will be our third date previous two cancelled the last one on the day of his op at end of March. We have both tried hard to stay strong and calm for each other in the lead up to surgery but I did like your daughter have a tearful meltdown after last one was cancelled so I do feel for her (can’t be easy -not sure of her age but I’m 57 and worked in the nhs since I was 19 as a nurse so do have some insight)
We have tried to focus on the positives and just get through each practical worry together but it has been a strain on us both but for us we seem at present to have wobbles at different times so are able to help each other through I guess as with everything it’s communication that’s the key and just be kind and understanding it’s a blooming emotional, stressful and worrying time that we will all get through
My husband has joined the Aortic valve surgery group on fb which has given him an idea of what to expect after surgery which may help you.
Wish you both well x
Thank you for reply. Indeed it’s a rollercoaster journey for all involved. I’m trying to look forward and see myself as a post surgery person offering support to others facing the same thing. We will get there, I think the wait, the anticipation is probably the worst bit. Hope his surgery is soon.
Yes surgery on Monday 24th June goes in on Sunday 23rd so count down is on 🤞intensive care is not full (that’s why he was cancelled the last time)
Good luck and thoughts are with your daughter x
Hello, I am heading for exactly the same Op as you. I now have a date and feel so relieved to have surgery within my sight that I am feeling much less concerned than I had been. Great advice already offered, communication with your daughter sounds really important. Maybe spend some lovely time together not talking about Op? I have various calming techniques that work for me: focused breathing, grounding techniques and what they call Safe Place work. It is a bit of distraction, everyone has their own way to get to a calm place in their mind, if you can access it, the theory is it will exercise that calm side of your brain, the side we rarely bother to exercise, get that working and I certainly find it helps to regulate my emotions. Meditation apps, much better than I anticipated, certainly help me to allow my thoughts to drift away or sit and dwell in a happy place. So much material out there now, maybe check some of it out with your daughter. The way I look at it is being strong and positive is available to us all but sometimes we have to put some work in to get to that state of mind. Very best of luck.
Thank you, useful advice.
I had aortic root repair and a tissue valve back in 2003. I was in and out of hospital all in 5 days and my valve that I was told had a lifeline of 10yrs actually last 18yrs! When it packed up tho I knew about it. Was admitted in 2021 and had my aortic valve replaced with a mechanical valve, 2 other valves repaired and a hole in the heart stitched up. Recovery was hard the first week this time round, but then my operation was 3 times bigger and I was 18yrs older at 55 years old.
That aside, once I was well enough to go home I do believe that that was my best medicine. Just the ability to walk more than a few yards without stopping was a joy. So much so, I rescued a dog! She helped me through my recovery and gave me more reason to get out and about!
My valve is working strong, unfortunately for me I am constantly back in AF and waiting cardiac ablation so the breathlessness creeps in now and again currently been on a waiting list for last 9mths with RPH so fingers crossed not too much longer.
Good luck with your recovery too, you will feel a new person!
Wow! You are an inspiration.!
Hi, I had a heart valve replacement and a quadruple by pass Nov'21. I feel fine. Try and not get worked up. Let it go over your head. You'll be fine. Tell your daughter not to worry. You'll be in good hands.
Hi Hythe, It's seven weeks this coming Monday since I had the exact same op you're having; new aortic valve and aneurysm repair. I went for the tissue valve too and seven weeks on I feel fine. The first few days are the toughest but you'll be getting the best of care in hospital. I have to say the pain wasn't anything as bad as I'd expected. I'm walking 4 miles a day without any breathlessness but still get fatigued. Recovery takes a little while so don't expect too much of yourself at first: a bit of gentle walking each day and you'll soon start to feel stronger. Plenty of people in this group have had the op so you're in good company. Try not to worry about the op: one minute you're in the anaesthetic room, next minute you're being asked to wiggle your toes on the ward and it's all over, the ops done and you can start your recovery with a properly functioning heart ! All the very best
Thank you
It's worrying time l waited over 5 years before surgery in the fews weeks before I made a will I didn't think I'd make it out of hospital I no it's easy to say just take each day has it comes I no afterwards I would just burst into tears it's all normal reactions good luck
It's worrying time l waited over 5 years before surgery in the fews weeks before I made a will I didn't think I'd make it out of hospital I no it's easy to say just take each day has it comes I no afterwards I would just burst into tears it's all normal reactions good luck
I got my date for my Op ! Excited 😊 
Date for surgery
mitral valve surgery 
Warfarin after mitral valve repair surgery
