Post - AVR: 6 week milestone

[IanGordon]

So my bioprosthetic replacement aortic valve ,uneventfully replaced , is functioning well as I pass the 6 week post op milestone. Generally feeling sharper, mobile and without a hint of the stable angina symptoms that blighted all my physical activity before surgery. Great joy that I can at last rip off my DVT stocking and cry 'freedom' ! I have also let insurance company know I'm back behind the wheel. So a lot to celebrate. Enjoying my daily walking regime and rediscovering the network of local footpaths. Now managing around 6 miles / 2 hours walking at 3 mph each day which is getting incrementally easier, although hills still proving challenging. My 6 week appointment with my surgeon has become a 12 week appointment which I hope is a reflection of his confidence in his surgical skills and my powers of recovery! Due to start cardio rehab next week and hope this will help me try to restore overall fitness and address some of my muscle wastage due to inactivity. Guess that will mean some resistance work / gym sessions. Hoping to get back to cycling / tennis before the 12 week prescibed abstinence but I will be sensible. Still a bit of healing to be done on the op site as bruising/fluid works it's way to the surface. Keeping on top of hydration, protein intake and supplementing with vitamin C plus CO Q10 to offset the detrimental effect of statins . Overall I'm in the improving zone and no longer suffering the tiredness and lethargy of previous weeks although sleep is still a bit sporadic and sternum discomfort still requiring paracetamol at some point during the day. So hopefully I give some insight for those of you awaiting surgery of possible experience and reassurance for those in recent post-op recovery , that by week 6, all things will have hopefully improved significantly and you can begin to to feel the upside and promised gains from Open Heart Surgery.

[RoyM]

Wonderful news Ian. So pleased for you. Onward and upward. Regards. Roy

[IanGordon in reply to RoyM]

Thanks Roy. Any nearer to a date for surgery or is your aorta considered OK for the the time being?

[RoyM in reply to IanGordon]

Hi Ian, I am due a TOE (ugh) on Thursday and a further CT scan sometime in August to check if my Aorta as grown any. I will then see the surgeon again in early September and hopefully a decision will be made on future treatment (if any). The surgeon considers that as of right now with my Ascending Aorta at 4.9cm/5.00cm the risk of surgery slightly outweighs the risk of rupture or dissection. The result of the TOE and the CT scan will decide whether or not I will get a date for surgery or continue with a watch and wait brief. Until I know the results I am enjoying or wonderful weather and a few months reprieve. Take care. Cheers Roy