Open heart surgery

[Boomlover]

Husband due for surgery for replacement of mitral valve shortly. If you have had similar how long before you, 1 , recovered from the op ?

2, before you felt any improvement regarding fatigue and breathlessness. ?

Thank you for any advice given.

[Caramilk]

Hi there. I had open heart surgery in September to replace my mitral valve. I was back at work in December, so about 3 months and I was fully recovered. Just hurts when I sneeze now! I was feeling fine about 2 weeks after the op but I didn't have many symptoms before surgery so I can't really compare. My pulse was high for a while but beta blockers have helped with that. Really hope the surgery goes well for him 😁

[Boomlover in reply to Caramilk]

🙏Thank you.x

[Larneybuds]

Hi....I've had OHS for two valve repairs....they were meant to be replaced but due to a fabulous surgeon....no longer with us!...he actually managed to repair my valves. I would personally say, though there are guidelines in recovery, it's not always textbook and people can be so different. I did all the breathing and chest exercises for weeks before my op and it certainly helped when continuing with them after. If all goes well your hubby will be out of bed walking the next day....they don't mess around getting you mobile . He will need plenty of rest after the op....no lifting anything remotely heavy...sleep propped up....daily exercise....walking is best initially and is a must do. He will be reliant on you for a few things at first but it's surprising how quickly you can recover when you are determined....and he will need to be that. I've said to people before....it's not a walk in the park....it's a massive surgery but I didn't think it was as bad as I thought it would be. Within 3 months he should be pretty much getting back to some normality. Few aches and pains for some time but pretty normal I think with the scale of the surgery. He will be in the hands of a brilliant team of people in hospital so put faith in them. Hoping it all goes ok and here's to a speedy recovery. All the best x