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At the time of my surgery I was a pretty avid Mountainbiker/Snowboarder, and really didn't want to be on blood thinners. Especially since I had a tendency to crash quite a bit. :) Now that I have mellowed in my old age I will probably go w/ a mechanical valve when it's time for a replacement.

Hey Easybob, I had my aortic valve replaced in July of '04 @ UCSF. My surgeon was Dr. Scott Merrick, and I can't say enough good things about him. Please feel free to email me if you have any questions, I'll be happy to answer them. ~Ray [email protected]

Wow..... Bonnie was so supportive when I went through my surgery, and I always enjoyed chatting with her. My deepest condolences to her family..... ~Ray

Hey everyone. Today marks the two year anniversary of my O.H.S., and I am feeling better than I ever have. I confess I really don't make it to this site much anymore, but I will NEVER forget how wonderful everyone here is and was, and how much this place and you people helped me before and...

Hey there. I did try to document as much of my O.H.S. experience as I could. If you go to my blog ad ignore all my silly posts about music and beer and scroll down to "Catagories" {on the left} you will see both "Heart Surgery Experience" and"Valve Replacement". Please feel free to read...

When I was discharged, the clothes I wore in would not fit, and I ate VERY little during my stay. I was approx 12lbs heavier than pre-surgery. I talked to the nurse, and she recommended a mild diuretic, which worked great. 2 weeks post-op the water was gone, and I was actually 5 lbs lighter then...

I know I am very late to this thread, but I too had radiation treatments for Hodgkins back in 1975, and my stenosis was discovered in 1993. All the docs are convinced that this led to the stenosis.

Glad to here you are doing well. I know about those first couple of months, but it does get better! Yes, I am also a Hodgkins survivor {2 bouts} and had radiation therapy in '76. But now it's all water under the bridge! ~Ray

Hello everyone, Tomorrow will be the one year anniversary of my aortic valve replacement. I really don't think about it much anymore, but when I do, I always think of VR.COM, and how supportive everyone here is. This is such a wonderful forum, and I hope that everyone here facing this...

~Hey Aaron I am also 35 {36 next Thurs} and had aortic valve replacement July 12th of this year. Its only been 5 months, but I am feeling great. The only advice I can give is to just relax and go with the flow. It all happens so fast you will be recovering in no time. The doctors have done...

Hi Carolyn, I had aortic valve replacement surgery July 12th of this year. I also had radiation treatments for Hodgkins.{1974} All my docs are sure this is what led to the stenosis. Welcome, by the way! ~Ray

Since I will be getting an ablation, I just stopped the evil Amiodarone, and am now only taking Metoprolol {25mg} twice a day. ~Ray

Hey Cecily, I thought I read that valve replacement via cath was still a few years away. I could be wrong though. I had an aortic valve replacement at UCSF in July, an niether my cardio or surgeon mentioned it as an option. Welcome, by the way, and if you have any questions about UCSF...

Hey Mark, I am 9 weeks post-op and still have days where I feel like crap. I was feeling so good the last couple of weeks that I went back to work last week, and have felt like crap since. I guess what everybody says it true, dont over do it. It's hard because I want so much to have my...

Hello everyone, I was just wondering if other people have had shortness of breath after surgery. I am just over 7 weeks post-op and and feeling great, but I get short of breath when exurting {sp?} myself, such as walking up hills or even coming up the stairs too fast. I did not experiance...

Hi Mark, I am also 4 weeks post-op and and some wierd pains last week for the first time. Alot of pain in the sternum and shoulder area. I just figured I was over-doing it { I really did for the last 2 weeks} so I took it easy this weekend, and pain is now gone. I saw both my surgeon and...

Hi Stacey, I am 35 yrs. old and 20 days post op. I must say I am feeling pretty good.I was out of the hospital in 7 days, and on day 10 I walked about 2 miles. I have just started going out w/ friends a bit, and am pretty wiped out by the time I get home, but it does feel good to get out...

~Glad to hear your doing well! ~Ray

~ Gald to see you back too Andrea, we did make it! I hope you will be feeling as good as I am! ~Ray

~Glad to see you home Harry! Like eveyone else said, dont over do it! I have been feeling so good that I think I did over do it just a little and today my body has said, "not so fast, pal" So listen to what your body tells you! ~Ray