How long does the right boob heal after minimally invasive heart surgery

[Thia]

Hi everyone. Nice to have joined your community. I have done my open heart surgery last and got a mechanical mitral valve. I did the minimal invasive surgery through my breast, it's 5 months plus now and my boob still hurts and numb. Is anyone feeling the same way or what could be taking longer to heal. Thanks

[KellyInTexas Administrator]

Hi Thia,

Firstly,

I’m glad your surgery is behind you!

I don’t have any experience with this.

My inclination is to say that the little nerves were damaged and will take time to regenerate. If your inr goes too low, it will take tomger to bring blood flow/ vital oxygenated blood to those tiny vessels to regenerate those nerves to the tissue.

Can you be referred to a plastic surgeon- who will be in the best position to really understand the intricacies of the specific tissue?

Equally important- how is your INR behaving? C

How are you doing overall with everything?

[MaryF Administrator]

Hi, sorry not something I have had done, however my late father had two heart bypasses and I remember the healing took some time, perhaps book a phone or video consultation with your consultant or GP, to check in about your condition and also to check that as well as INR that you are ok in terms of D, Ferritin and folate, and B12, to name a few things as if they are low it can make healing harder. I think having some sort of contact with them would help you. MaryF

[hihannula]

Hi Thia. I’m happy to hear you did minimal surgery for your mitral valve. How do you feel? More energy, clear Itay, breathing much better?...I had mine replaced with a mechanical valve as well over 15 years ago. $I felt reborn when I woke up. First time in 4 years breathing without gasping for air! Took them that long to figure it out, and that only because I called an ambulance to go to emergency as I could barely breath or walk. My lips and tongue were blue. My surgery was done the old fashioned way. Cracked sternum and the infamous long chest scar, I call my life line. It healed nicely though after they sorted out the staff infection I contracted at the hospital. 4 months with a

pic-line and a cocktail of 4 antibiotics. No fun! I am due to get it replaced! As we are told, the valve lasts forever but the leak comes back in about 12-15 years. Anyway, I’m regurgitating again and the ring around the valve called the annulus is densely calcified. I am hoping to get the minimal procedure this time. We haven’t gone as far as discussing the details yet, but that day is coming soon. I am sorry to hear you are having trouble healing though. 5 months is a little long, I would think. I’d go back to the Doctor to see if there is something that is to be expected and happens to everyone who gets it done this way. Best of luck.