Aeortic valve replacement

[Panzer561]

I'm a 62 year old man I'm scheduled to go for an aeortic valve replacement I've been calm until i got the date which is 3rd September I'm ok during the day but when i go bed my brain starts to think the worst I've me surgeon who gave me loads of assurances I'm going into glenfield hospital leicester just can't turn my head off goodluck to everyone on your operation or recovery.

[paulcongleton]

Hi.

Try not to stress to much, know its difficult as always going to be in back of your mind.

I had Open Heart Surgery for mitral valve on the 27th February.

Now week 15 of recovery and feel great, managed to cut all my conifers today and went back to work as a printer at week 11.

I'm 50 years old and know everyone's recovery is different.

All i would say is put your trust in the surgeon and nurses etc, definitely do the rehabilitation programme if offered to you.

[Ageingfast]

I can promise you that the waiting is the worst bit. For me, the angst and worry melted when I walked in to the hospital. Nothing like other hospital stuff. Cardiac is a separate and really pretty fabulous sector. Brilliant staff who know what’s what. Your own room.

And success rate is very good. My surgeon had a better than 99% success rate.

The after op recovery takes many weeks. But you will feel the recovery every couple of days.

You are probably old enough to have a synthetic valve. I have one and I don’t know it’s there. Just a double scan check up each year. Maybe a load of tablets, but who cares, I have my life back.

Enjoy your summer .

C.

[highburyted]

hi

I had my aortic valve replaced last August. I was classed as extremely high risk due to COPD and very overweight ( piled it it over the 3 year wait for the op). I too, in that time, thought the worst every single night.

Due to delays, lack of staff, strikes, I was in hospital for 46 days waiting until they finally did it. When I went into surgery I surprised myself because it was as if I didn’t have a care in the world, I just said this it it, off we go.

The surgeons are brilliant, they do these heart jobs, like painters paint a wall, plumbers replace a tap. Trust me you will be ok, recovery after will take about 8 weeks or so and you should feel a lot better

Good luck and keep in touch with the people on here whenever you wish- they got me through it

highburyted

[andgrant1]

hi, I’m 8 weeks since my aortic valve and aortic root replacement and hope I can give you some reassurance. I went through exactly the same anxiety and sleepless nights in the lead up to the operation and, as others have said, it is definitely the worst part for you, family and friends. These surgeons are incredible and you honestly will know nothing from the moment you are given the general anaesthetic until you come around in recovery. Please be reassured that although it’s major surgery it is also routine to the surgeons that perform the op so regularly. You’re in very safe hands and I wish you all the best. Please say if there are any questions you have as it sounds like your op will be the same one that I had.

[Pjjmhaa in reply to andgrant1]

Hi I was wondering when having your surgery do they still have to break your chest bone my daughter was told she would need this surgery and that was a question she asked me the other day glad to hear you speak so positive about your surgery take care

[andgrant1 in reply to Pjjmhaa]

Hi, yes they have to break the breast bone to get to to the heart and replace the valve. The healing process for the bone is the longest really and it will be several weeks before she can lift anything much at all and at least 3 months after the op before it is fully healed. I can say though that every day gets better and after 10 weeks I am almost feeling back to normal and doing almost everything I was before (apart from heavy lifting). Hope that’s helpful and hope all goes well for your daughter.

[Pjjmhaa in reply to andgrant1]

Thankyou very much for your quick response! Yes that is helpful I think she was wondering as she has a 4yr and 5 yr old. Plenty of helpers here! Glad to hear you are doing good and take care soon be better than you have been in a long time with that new valve. 👍🏻

[heaps]

Hi my 68yr old husband had AVR Sept 2022 at Glenfield. They really looked after him & he recovered well. He is back playing golf & fishing & living life to the full. I am sure you will have a similar experience

[Panzer561 in reply to heaps]

Thanks glad he's out playing golf again nice to hear success story hope his golf handicap has improved 👍

[AH31]

it’s understandable to feel nervous but honestly you will be fine. I have recently had my fourth aortic valve replacement and been fine throughout.

Good Luck

[Vrouse in reply to AH31]

Can I ask what sort of valve, was it tissue or mechanical? My partner has just been told he needs a replacement metalic valve, that will be the third one so we're obviously anxious.

[AH31 in reply to Vrouse]

Hi

I had a tissue valve, I have had my third valve replacement and all went well.

I wish you all the best and speedy recovery

[Vrouse in reply to AH31]

Thank you

[colourblue]

Hello, can understand how you are feeling, anybody would. However, I hope this might help a little. My Father had this operation way back in 1969, he was 65. Not as much would have been known about this procedure then, but it gave him many more years to travel & enjoy life. Sending my best wishes to you, try to be positive & look forward to better health.

[SilverSurfer20]

Don't panic Panzer ! Although that's easier said than done. It's a big op so it's only natural to be worried. I'm 60 and had the same op just 9 weeks ago and I'm well on the mend now. You'll spend a couple of days in intensive care where the medics are superb and then you'll be up on the ward getting a little bit better each day. Take the pain killers and move around as much as you can. Even just 30 seconds or a minute ambling around the ward will do you the world of good. The key is to let your body recover at its own pace and in no time at all you'll feel the benefit of that new valve. All the best, and as I say , try not to worry, one minute you'll be chatting to the anaesthetist, the next you'll be being asked to wiggle your toes in ICU. Plenty of us here have been through it and come out the other side. Best wishes for a successful op and a speedy recovery

Dean

[Traveldreams]

another comment that the waiting is the worst. Had my MV op on January 31st and even the rough days were nothing compared to the waiting. Waited 11 months and it was tough. You’ll be on here giving someone else the same advice by the end of September. Best of luck

[Wellington19]

I hhad mine done at st barts, was well looked after, it was done age 72, just took me a little while to recover fully

[Sibbodog]

Hi Panzer, I had my operation 2 years ago in Liverpool, Broadgreen. The worst thing for me was the worry caused by reading Google, scared myself and overthinking about the operation. Thankfully I was back at work in a few weeks. However, the key to recovery is small steps, and listen to your body. I’m back exercising now, doing cardio and boxing training, even though I’m in my sixties. The staff at the Hospital were brilliant. I can’t thank them enough for saving my life. Just try and be optimistic, and positive think to yourself I’m going to be okay.