my husband had surgery 6 July, we arrived back home Saturday.
Any advice for recovering at home , he doing remarkably well, walking , stairs.
Resting, but ! Hiding the laptop is difficult, mentally his mind is strong, but his chest wall is not, surely typing in a keyboard is not good ?
Natalie
Hello 
I am really pleased your Husband is doing so well
I had a triple Bypass I took my laptop with me and while I was still in Hospital I was using it and no one said anything to me that it was not good that I was doing so and when I got home I was never of it
Using a laptop is not really pulling your chest in anyway and to stay fit physically it is good as well as keeping the mind active to
Lifting and reaching up are the two things that are not advisable
I hope his recovery keeps going well
Let us know how he gets on x
in support of BeKinds words… don’t lift anything weighing more than a half filled kettle. Don’t put your hand above shoulder height. Do sleep sitting upright.
Typing shouldn’t be a problem.
Walk every day and talk whilst you walk.
I hope you can find an NHS leaflet advising on what to do after the op.
I was delighted that I felt a little better every two days, then after two or three months bingo. I had my life back.
Not sure about stairs as I live in a bungalow. I did get two bouts of gout which delayed recovery by about two weeks.
Isn’t it a marvellous op
C.
Hello, ageingfast.
Thank you for your words of inspiration, yes an amazing operation, considering my husband had no idea of the damage aortic valve in his body, until he got pneumonia in April and tests revealed this serious problem.
We are incredibly lucky, and thankful to our surgeon and the Royal Brompton hospital.
Thanks for your advice and hope all goes well in the future for you.
Kind regards
Natalie
I am completely recovered from OHS. I can hardly find the scar. I don’t even know my synthetic valve is working away. Your hubby will be recovered by the end of the year. I am now four years post op. Just a quick annual check up at the main Colchester hospital, not the London hospital that did the op. And the check up is now fast and well organized.
I really did get given my life back.
C.
Saturday? I don't know ages or the exact nature of the Surgery but he needs to be very careful that he does not do too much, too early. Did he get recovery notes from the Hospital?
Glad he is doing so well.
Normal discharge time, 6 days post op. My surgery was on a Friday, I was home the following Thursday.
Hi devonian
thank you for replying to my message, agree don’t rush things.
Kind regards
Natalie
Morning Ruffer, firstly I'm glad to hear your husband's surgery went well and he is home to start the next phase of his recovery. My partner had his mitral valve surgery in January and for the first week he focused on balancing resting and walking and then using his iPad or watching TV with having a sleep in the afternoon. Week on week the improvements were there, he struggled with a bit of mind fog and concentration levels at first but sticking with a routine, and persevering every couple of days he found it easier, then added reading into his day and upped his walking. We followed all thr BHF and NHS guidance leaflets, I recommend checking out the BHF website for further info if needed. I think your husband will be ok with his laptop as the movement shouldn't cause any discomfort to his chest, but just use it for a bit of time and gradually build up more and more when comfortable. My partner thought he'd struggle with not being able to do all the things he usually did but actually having a routine really helped him recognise what he could handle. The Cardiac Rehab classes are fantastic as well! Wishing you both all the very best with recovery.
I was going to answer this post but on reading others I think they have basically covered it! Just DON'T rush it. It takes months but it will all be worth it.
Ihad mine replaced at the age of 72, a gentle walk every day, will help
Hi Wellington
Peter was 80 when they discovered the aortic value was in serious need of repair or replacement.
July 6 operation, his 81 birthday 15 July .
Otherwise he is fit and I think this helps the recovery.
Hope you continue feeling good.
Thank you
Natalie
I'm 5.5 months post aorta valve replacement and ascending aorta graft. I'm cycling up hill and down dale every day, fell walking etc etc. Went on a cardiac rehab programme which gave me the confidence to increase my exercising gradually.
Typing is good for you don't stop him! Just make sure he isn't doing it in bed. Sitting up at an awkward angle in bed whilst resting the laptop on your knees is not advised!
Good luck!
Morning Freshorangejuice.
Peter will go on the cardiac rehab program, in 6 weeks, I thought that seemed a long time to wait? Is it because you do have to take things slowly.
No strain on the heart too quickly.
Yes looking forward to the 6 month mark.
At least the water retention is slowly going from his body , so the exercise is walking and doing the stairs at this early stage and a rest in the afternoon.
Thanks for your encouragement
Take care
Natalie
Reflecting on my own recovery from OHS a year ago, yes, I could sit at a desk and read work emails for an hour once I was home from hospital, but it utterly wiped me out - not from the movement but the concentration. I didn't realise it while I was doing it, but once I started to actively engage with work stuff it was clear my brain needed rest as well as my body. It's frustrating not being able to pull 7 hour work days when you don't feel 'all that bad' but it's important to honour what you've been through and the toll it takes on the whole person.
Thank you for the advice, I agree, don’t push one’s self,
Peter has done this today and actually it’s 18.53pm and he looks very tired and grey
Natalie, lovely to hear that Peter is doing well. You also have been blessed by having the Royal Brompton do the surgery. I had my valve replaced at the London Chest Hospital which was part of the same group and the Brompton is a centre of expertise in this field. Rehab courses tend to be around 6 - 8 weeks post surgery and are excellent. The oldest person on the group I was on was 76, so a little younger, but even he was walking a mile in the park while the rest of us did a fout mile walk on the last day. I can't remember sleeping sitting up (it was a long time ago and I don't think laptops had been invented then) but he will need to be comfortable sleeping. Other than that, the same advice that has already been offered to avoid excessive exertion of the chest muscles, but if he feels well enough then he should be able to do most things though it is best not to do too much, as I remember feeling very well afterwards but did overdo things a bit and had a rough day. I wish him well, if his valve works as well as mine has, he will well and truly break all records for long life!
Hi Natalie,
I had aortic + mitral vale replacement and a double bypass 15 years ago. I also have a pacemaker so I can guess what your husband is going through. Here in Germany they send you to 3 weeks rehab but apparently they don't do that in England. It was an immense help to me and I was really downbeat from the first day until the doctor came visiting. He could see I was down and the first words out of his mouth were "Look at you, I haven't seen anyone looking better since the 83 year old female patient with a triple valve replacement and double bypass". Wryly I told him, "Yeah, I bet you say that to all the boys". He laughed. I told him of my concerns being a self-employed cabinetmaker used to moving heavy furniture items and strenuous work and not being able to do it again. What he told me next changed my whole perspective. He said, I quote "You will, but not today, it takes time to mend. Above all, listen to your body. When it tells you NO, don't ignore or fight it. Back off, it has nothing to do with being a macho man, it's about being smart. Your body knows best. Let it build up to it and it will." I was 55 then and am looking at my 69th birthday this August. I retired last year and now work for fun and pocket money. Your husband needs to keep the exercise up (very important especially in the early years). Easy when the sun's shining but not so great in the cold, rain or snowy weather. Having to walk the dog is an amazing much needed push out the door on those days. Buy a walking track or stationary bike is another option. Swimming is also good aerobic exercise if the doctor permits. Above all, stay positive and stay away from people with negative comments. It gets better day by day and I'm not sure that working at the laptop is harmful unless it's a source of stress for him. Heavy lifting needs to be avoided. There may be some minor setbacks. That's normal. Keep going and don't forget the medication.
All the very best,
Ian
Thank you so much Ian and writing from Germany, such inspiration and common sense Your message speaks .
important to listen to one’s body , positive mind is good medicine.
Glad to hear you have had a healthy, happy 15 years and more to come.
Thank you, we will take your caring advice
Natalie
Your very welcome Natalie. Glad it helped. Write again if you need. I’m not in the medical profession just someone who’s gone through the same experience.
Ian
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