Tomorrow my husband is meeting with a cardiologist to discuss surgery for valve replacement, which we are expecting to be open heart surgery as he has a bicuspid valve. Unfortunately I am not able to be there as am away, but my daughter is going with him.
For those of you who have been in this situation, are there any questions or information that are vital at this stage? Was there anything that you wished you had asked on that first discussion? He has virtually no symptoms so it feels a little bit surreal!!
How much pre op preparation and support is given prior to surgery ie diet, alcohol. exercise? He is not in a good place atm and is terrified of open heart surgery and his drinking has escalated.
Would be grateful for any advice from those who have had or are going through this and from those who are in or have been in the supporting role.
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Hephzibar
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Depending on his age he might need to choose between a tissue valve and a mechanical valve. Younger than 50 they usually recommend mechanical; older than 70 they usually recommend tissue; but in between neither has a clear advantage.
Have him google "move within the tube". If he practices it before, he's less like to forget afterwards (and believe me, it'll be painful when he does forget).
I didn't have any pre-op prep in terms of diet/alcohol/exercise. But if he smokes, now is the time to quit.
I’m sorry to hear of your husbands diagnosis, I too have a bicuspid valve which led to sever aortic stenosis, needing OHS and a mechanical valve replacement last May. No idea there was anything wrong apart from a few palpitations which I put down to menopause (I was 49).
The shock is the worst part I’d say, he should take a list of questions to his appointment, it can be anything not just about the condition itself but anything he might be worrying about on the day of the operation. Reading the BHF guide to what happens before /during/after surgery is a good idea too as lots of answers are already there. I wasn’t given any special instructions except to only do gentle walking as exercise and stop if I feel worn out. Eating healthily and not drinking/smoking is going to help obviously too, but I don’t believe it was mentioned to me at the point.
Really the only choice you may be given is mechanical valve or tissue, he would probably be guided on that though so really it’s mostly out of his hands.
I was in a bit of a state when I first found out, listening to podcasts at night in my earphones helped distract when I just couldn’t sleep for the night time fear, trying to eat still even if you don’t feel like it too. My husband said something to me which actually helped and that was I only had to worry about getting myself to the day of the operation, from then on it’s all somebody else’s job to worry about. He was right and you do end up with someone else holding your life in their hands and and some points they literally held my hand when I was nervous ❤️
From a practical point of view I’m usually a side sleeper and obviously that’s not an option for a long time afterwards, so I started having more pillows and sleeping more upright on my back beforehand to try and get used to it. Obviously the alcohol doesn’t help, but I can understand why he’s leaning on that when he’s so scared. I didn’t share a bed for a few months afterwards as you don’t want to be moved about, so my husband had a tall airbed next to the bed to give me more space.
I was the biggest scaredy cat ever then I had to have open heart surgery , cannot believe I have done it but it wasn’t nearly as bad as I imagined so tell your husband from me that he will be fine , if I can do it he can 😊
Thank you! Today will be a difficult day as he will be hearing about his worst fears. Hopefully once he knows exactly what will be happening it will possibly help as he will no longer be left in limbo.
Relaxation is important - Don't increase BP because of lack of it! We can't change the past but we can manage the future both as individuals and as a team. We are luck that we hyave the NHS and brilliant professionals within in it!
We do get such good care and support from them and relaxation and staying calm is so important for everyone's benefit!
Wishing your husband every bit of good luck possible. I had my mitral valve replaced so I can fully relate to both of your fears. All I can say is that the support he will receive before during and after the op is amazing. He will be taken such good care of and given every bit of support possible. Sending you the very best of wishes
I only recently met with a surgeon about Mitral Valve replacement and have been recommended OHS for the procedure. The surgeon was reassuring and walked through most of the questions I had brought before I could ask.
You could ask about what support they provide post discharge. Do they have any cardiac rehabilitation services? (If so, highly recommend taking advantage, but many don’t)
Thank you. He has just been walked through OHS, but it is such a difficult decision as TAVI might be able to deal with some the issues. OHS would be valve replacement, coronary bypass and aortic replacement - big surgery, but the TAVI procedure would only cover the valve and stent if the arteries ( I think) - I was listening on speaker phone!!
It is also possible to have minimally invasive bypasses as well, though not all hospitals and cardiologists can do it. It's known as MIDCAB, minimally-invasive direct coronary artery bypass, so OHS may not be necessary possibly.
Hi, I have had 2 OPS, both at Royal Papworth. My first one was in 2003 where I had my aortic valve replaced with a biological one. I went into hospital on the Thursday afternoon, and was home again Tuesday afternoon! I was told at the time it would last 10 years, it actually last 18 years, so much so that when it eventually packed up my original surgeon came to find me on the ward as couldn't believe how long it had lasted.
My most recent op was in 2021 when they replaced the biological valve for a mechanical valve. Bear in mind that with the mechanical valve you will have to take blood thinners, for me its Warfarin. Unfortunately at the time they found that they needed to make a repair on both my tricuspid and mitral valve, as well as stitch up a hole in the heart. I have no idea how bad it was! Unfortunately, the mitral valve they repaired has deteriorated so much since that I need a 3rd operation. They wont do a 3rd OHS as its too risky, so I am on the waiting list for it to be repaired again, via keyhole this time which has a 2-3 week recovery.
Prior to my first op in 2003 I hadn't had as much as an ingrowing toenail let alone OHS, so i can totally relate to the anxiety and nervousness felt. What I will say tho, it is nothing compared to how amazing you feel after the operation, and makes you wonder how on earth you survived previously.
Sending positive thoughts and well wishes your way for a speedy recovery.
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