Had my surgical consultation at nearly 9 weeks post op.

[JDDrummist]

Had my surgical consultation at nearly 9 weeks post op.

Had my consultation with the surgeon yesterday ( nearly 9 weeks after op)

All looking good. I had a chest xray prior to the consultation: I was allowed to look at the result ( amazing to see the sternotomy wires so clearly in place 😳), but the radiologist told me that I wasn’t allowed to take a photo , which I really wanted to…🤷🏼‍♂️

The surgeon explained away all the random symptoms that have been worrying me: the twinges, the odd sensation in my outer thigh, odd feeling in my arms, all caused by damaged nerves reconnecting.

Apparently my higher BP is good, as it shows the new valve is working properly and at full capacity, and the heart is working hard pumping more volume of blood than it’s been used to, although he re started Ramipril, which I’d been on for years due to my hypertension.

He also explained the very loud heartbeat that I can hear/feel -again, down to the fact that the heart is working better, but it’s coming from the arteries just under my ear/corner of the jaw, where it’s amplified by the bones of the skull.

Apparently the nerves take far longer than muscle and bones to heal-might be 5-6 months.

I get to see him in three months and a CT scan, then again on the one year anniversary of the operation, then discharged back under the care of the cardiologist….if my coronary arteries start being an issue at any point in the future, they can be readily sorted with stents( non invasive procedure).

He cleared me for driving (🙏), the resumption of most activities, but cautioned me against heavy weights for another few weeks.

He’s also contacting the cardio rehab team so that’ll be good.

All in all, a result 🏆 I think I might have shaken his hand a little too long,& thanked him too effusively, but I really did feel an enormous sense of gratitude and relief and couldn’t help myself-the man is a hero.

Oh,& I had the best night’s ( unbroken) sleep since my operation last night. 👌

[Malteasers]

Hey this is so great to hear, well done 👏 I'm only 4 weeks in and am looking forward to such a positive outcome at my 8 week check up.

Especially the full nights sleep!

I'd pay good money for a whole night, on my side, no wedges or extra pillows sleeping like a baby!

[wjb2]

fantastic news, because of clerical issues it was just short of twelve months for my revisit, all was ok thank god. like you i maybe shook his hand to long.

“Now Go and live the rest of your life now Mr Bradford” i could have kissed him 🤣

[T666]

fantastic, what a great level of knowledgeable patient friendly treatment

Have fun… in moderation of course 😁

[maple34]

Sounds like excellent news, you must be so pleased!

I wonder why they wouldn't let you take a photo. It's your 'data' after all. Maybe a data request would get your X-rays, scans and whatnot.

[JDDrummist in reply to maple34]

I did wonder. And yes, it’s all my stuff… I can feel an email coming on 🤓

[maple34 in reply to JDDrummist]

The only reason I can think of is a blanket 'no photos' policy in case you capture staff or other patients faces, or other people's data accidentally. The email should hopefully get around those concerns. Good luck 👍

[Zerohere]

Great result glad for you, had my appointment last Thursday that was 8 weeks post op.

Discharged and handed over to my original cardiologist, no x Ray just a physical check and ECG carried out.

Took me off the spironolactone and apixaban , the latter for an AF I’d developed after a mitral valve repair, and this was unexpected because it was going to be reviewed after 3 months.

Already seen my rehab nurse at week 6 and physio at week 7, seeing the physio again next week to discuss and put together a personal training and rehab programme as they don’t believe I need to attend their 16 week course and can attend my own gym.

Told I could drive and fly by the rehab nurse and by the physio not lift anything heavy although the consultant told me I could start increasing the weight.

Haven’t started driving as I’m enjoying being chauffeured as a rider my insurance company doesn’t require notification as it’s not medical condition you have to report to the DVLA.

Contacted my specialist travel insurance company which is AllClear as 6 weeks have past and they have added the bypasses and valve repair to the policy with no increase in premium, so fly to Spain in 3 weeks and the other good news couldn’t fly in February asked my consultant if he could produce a letter for me to submit to the airline and they’ve just given me a full credit to use on a future flight.

All in all a very positive experience for me but as I’ve said before everyone has a different journey and it appears different health authorities have different policies and formats in dealing with post opp patients.

[MoretonCross]

Great news, me too by the way. I'm just waiting for the cardiogram appointment now. But no rush... Happy to wait.

[OK10]

You are lucky. After my ohs i had one phone app. with somebody from the surgeon's team and thst was it. I was discharged after 6 weeks with no follow-up appointments, just cardiac rehap for 8 weeks.It has been over 6 months but i am still getting pains on my left.

[JDDrummist in reply to OK10]

You’re correct: I do feel extremely lucky- to have had my heart defect caught,& treated so well, by an amazing surgeon, with a superb team,& the follow up care has been faultless.

I feel lucky that that I get to see my grandchildren grow( at least for the next 10-15 years, other medical issues notwithstanding),& I really feel for you in your situation: whereabouts are you?

[OK10 in reply to JDDrummist]

Thanks for that. I live in London.