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dan777
To recap, I had my replacement operation in Singapore on Jan 17, 2008. My bicuspid valve was replaced with tissue (porcine) valve.
Both my cardio and surgeon assured my before hand that my replacement was "a piece of cake", with a low degree of difficulty. Easy for them to say but it looks like they were right.
I spent 6 days in the hospital and have had very few problems to date. About the only thing notable at this point is a slight numbness in my right leg does not seem to be changing too much. Anyway, if that is the only problem I have I will be happy to ignore it.
I got on a serious walking program about a week after getting out of the hospital and rapidly progressed up to 5 miles a day ( 2 x 2.5 ) at the four week mark which I continued until a week ago when I had to cut back due to time constraints. I now hit the bricks walking and jogging about 2.5 - 3 miles a day. Started lifting light weights (VERY light..) while walking at about 5 weeks.
I was also very surprised and please that my cardio let me start driving after 2.5 weeks. I took it easy and had a co-pilot all of the time (until after the four week mark).
My doctors belong to the if it hurts stop doing it school. My cardio did not want me to use a heart rate monitor or blood pressure monitor. He said go slow and listen to your body and if you feel bad, come in for a check up. Singapore is a large urban environment so it was easy for me. I live 10 minutes from the hospital where my doctors are and where I had my operation.
It feels so good to be able to exercise again, I had stopped for about 2 years prior to my operation due to dizziness and shortness of breath. Yes I put it off too long and YES I strongly recommend against putting off the operation once you reach the point that it is either dangerous to your health or you start making your life style adjust to your condition. Easy for me to say now, just as it was easy to make excuses for delaying the operation at the time.
I had a minor problem getting the warfarin dosage right but that too settled down after week 4-5. I am now taking 8mg a day and looking forward to getting off in another month.
Have not posted for a few weeks simple due to being busy at work again.
All in all, I feel very fortunate to have had such a smooth ride. I really did nothing, health or diet wise to prepare for it. Nothing positive anyway
Thanks again to everyone in the group for your prayers and support. I try and say a little prayer every morning when I get outside, take a deep breath and notice just how wonderful the world with all its problems really is.
Whatever side of the mountain you are on, I wish you all the best in your journey.
Dan
PS. All you procrastinators out there please drop me a line so I can share share of my experiences and urge you to get it over with !
Both my cardio and surgeon assured my before hand that my replacement was "a piece of cake", with a low degree of difficulty. Easy for them to say but it looks like they were right.
I spent 6 days in the hospital and have had very few problems to date. About the only thing notable at this point is a slight numbness in my right leg does not seem to be changing too much. Anyway, if that is the only problem I have I will be happy to ignore it.
I got on a serious walking program about a week after getting out of the hospital and rapidly progressed up to 5 miles a day ( 2 x 2.5 ) at the four week mark which I continued until a week ago when I had to cut back due to time constraints. I now hit the bricks walking and jogging about 2.5 - 3 miles a day. Started lifting light weights (VERY light..) while walking at about 5 weeks.
I was also very surprised and please that my cardio let me start driving after 2.5 weeks. I took it easy and had a co-pilot all of the time (until after the four week mark).
My doctors belong to the if it hurts stop doing it school. My cardio did not want me to use a heart rate monitor or blood pressure monitor. He said go slow and listen to your body and if you feel bad, come in for a check up. Singapore is a large urban environment so it was easy for me. I live 10 minutes from the hospital where my doctors are and where I had my operation.
It feels so good to be able to exercise again, I had stopped for about 2 years prior to my operation due to dizziness and shortness of breath. Yes I put it off too long and YES I strongly recommend against putting off the operation once you reach the point that it is either dangerous to your health or you start making your life style adjust to your condition. Easy for me to say now, just as it was easy to make excuses for delaying the operation at the time.
I had a minor problem getting the warfarin dosage right but that too settled down after week 4-5. I am now taking 8mg a day and looking forward to getting off in another month.
Have not posted for a few weeks simple due to being busy at work again.
All in all, I feel very fortunate to have had such a smooth ride. I really did nothing, health or diet wise to prepare for it. Nothing positive anyway
Thanks again to everyone in the group for your prayers and support. I try and say a little prayer every morning when I get outside, take a deep breath and notice just how wonderful the world with all its problems really is.
Whatever side of the mountain you are on, I wish you all the best in your journey.
Dan
PS. All you procrastinators out there please drop me a line so I can share share of my experiences and urge you to get it over with !
