Had mitral valve replaced 8 weeks ago. Curious and tempted to break some rules..

[Kkch.i]

Hello new friends, I joined the forum few weeks back and have been reading the posts here. It feels like I already know some of you

I am 36F with no prior medical or family history. My PCP delayed my diagnose for 2 months then a bacterial blood infection turned into a vegetative endocarditis, which destroyed my valve. So I went to the ER, had 2 hours to google valve choices before my surgery (thought it was postponed twice..). I opted in for tissue valve as it is too soon to give up motorcycling, snowboarding and some of the sports I love. Wish I had found this forum back then I wasn't sure if I would have made it out of the operating room.

Fast forwarding 8 weeks post surgery, there is still night sweats every night and some pain from the incision. However, my appetite is back, my depression and anxiety levels start to decrease, and I was able to briefly lift a TV (30 lbs) the other day. I know motorcycling is for sure out of range now but I am very tempted to hit the slops before snow season ends. Wondering how soon did you return to ski/ snowboard after OHS?

Also, do you usually show/ cover the chest scar in public? Beach season is at the corner. Most of my summer dresses will show at least the top of the scar. I am not sure if I will be able to make peace with this new look..

 

[pellicle]

Hi

Fast forwarding 8 weeks post surgery, there is still night sweats every night and some pain from the incision.

that sounds concerning, have you mentioned it to your medical team? It really should be checked out

... I know motorcycling is for sure out of range now but I am very tempted to hit the slops before snow season ends. Wondering how soon did you return to ski/ snowboard after OHS?

wait, you think skiing is fine but motorcycling is out? I still ride both my motorcycle and my eScooter

Also, do you usually show/ cover the chest scar in public? Beach season is at the corner.

I was embarassed about it when I was a teenager, but since then no. I've had two more surgeries since then so my scar has only gotten better

Please, get those night sweats reported as they could be a serious thing.

Best Wishes

 

[tom in MO]

I wouldn't worry about the scar but then I'm a guy. It gets less noticeable with time. Kids will think it's cool and may ask about it. Some people's scars are weirdly attractive. I work with a woman who has a facial scar that actually accentuates her beauty and makes her a bit more intriguing. Careful, it can get sunburned

We had one person on the forums with many OHS operations and many scars who said something along the lines of "My scars are a testimony to all those people who cared about me and took care of me."

 

[QuincyRunner]

Kkch.i
I too had bacterial endocarditis of the mitral valve which was not diagnosed correctly until it was almost too late. Dental cleaning was the culprit. I did give up my motorcycling in the aftermath but only because I occasionally get light headed due to an irregular heartbeat as an after effect of the surgery. However I am very physically active without any limits or restraints . I was 53 (now 64) when I had the surgery and since I was in no condition to make a decision I was fortunate that my surgeon chose a mechanical valve for me because, as he told me later, I was too young for a pig or bovine valve. Regarding my scars, I am proud of them especially since they motivated me to start lifting weights which previously as a runner I was not inclined to do.

 

[Kkch.i]

Hi @pellicle! You are one of the members I read so much about. Nice to e-meet you! And the Australian accent is somehow comforting. I am glad you had the mechanical valve at last and the scar will only get better. I imagine mine will look similar after my third OHS in 20 years.

In terms of riding, I was advised by a CT surgeon and my attending doctor that motorcycling would be a bad idea if I will be on blood thinner. Especially if I want to start track days this year. They said skiing is not as bad. Unfortunately I did not know much about post surgery life if I were to choose differently. I am in California and weirdly, the consultation before surgery was very limited. In fact, I found out about the tissue valve option myself and requested it against their recommendations. I have a educated guess what you may say about this

I was deeply concerned when the night sweats started to show up about a month ago. Since my CT surgeon team "relinquish my care", I saw infections disease doctor and my current PCP. They ordered a few blood tests including a blood culture, and a brain MRI. All blood tests came back normal-ish. MRI suggested that I had micro strokes but the ID said there is nothing to concern about.

So far they do not know the cause of night sweats and do not have a next step for me. I am hoping that it is caused by anxiety. Ironic I know

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@tom in MO I feel that adults will also be curious and may ask about it. I got seated earlier last time I wore a v-neck tshirt and showed the wound lol. There is still some scab on my incision so I do not know the full look yet. Hopefully I will be able to joke about it when people stare at me..

That is a beautiful way to phrase it. I hope to see mine as a story of courage and survival someday.

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@QuincyRunner Thank you for sharing. Mine seemed to be caused by teeth cleaning as well. I am so sorry you went through a similar experience! I found it hard to swallow as my former PCP specifically asked me not to go to the hospital when I had the chance to save myself. I am glad you turn the experience into motivation. Can't wait to go back to the gym and lift again.

I will not notice your scars if I do not know about the surgery. May I ask how long it took to fade to skin color in your case? Everyone is different but it would be nice to have some reference.

 

[pellicle]

In terms of riding, I was advised by a CT surgeon and my attending doctor that motorcycling would be a bad idea if I will be on blood thinner

my career of being advised by surgeons and by my mother to not ride motorcycles has a long history.

Now as I approach my 60th year on the planet I can say I've been focused on safety (although some may doubt that).

I try to treat every ride as a possible day for an accident. So I do my best to stay alert. I've also done as much as possible to get as much rider safety training in the years gone by.

Most of my bikes (film cameras back then) escaped the camera

enjoy life, you don't get a second. I just purchased a nice little fun KTM Duke 390 to go with my Yamaha.

PS the chick behind the K100RS is a friend (and attacthed and her boyfriend who is a mate and was with us on that trip too).

 

[Kkch.i]

Now as I approach my 60th year on the planet I can say I've been focused on safety (although some may doubt that).

I try to treat every ride as a possible day for an accident. So I do my best to stay alert. I've also done as much as possible to get as much rider safety training in the years gone by.

Most of my bikes (film cameras back then) escaped the camera

@pellicle What a collection you have (had)! Is that an older model of Ducati Supersport at the lower left?

I try to live with the concept of calculated risks. Safety training is a good idea! There are a few classes I have in mind later this year.

Enjoy life. And enjoy riding!

 

[pellicle]

What a collection you have (had)! Is that an older model of Ducati Supersport at the lower left?

yes, its the 750 Sport from 1989. Came out at about the same time as the Paso, but had "more normal" body work. That soon morphed into the SS models.

It had the Weber 44DNCP carburettor and went like stink for a 750. I did a lot of mods on that bike ... its one of the ones I wish I didn't part with.

 

[LondonAndy]

Hi @Kkch.i and welcome! Two comments from me if useful:

Re the night sweats - this is probably a bit random, but I get night sweats if my blood glucose level is low (I am an insulin dependent diabetic, but I wondered if this could happen post-surgery for non-diabetics?) To test for that ideally you would need to borrow a blood glucose meter and check during the sweats.

Re the scar - I was told not to sunbathe for the first year, as the sun will make the scar go permanently dark. Also, I found that rubbing Bio Oil daily once he incision has sealed (ie after about week 6) has massively reduced the visibility of the scar. But it takes a few months of treatment.

All the best.

 

[Zoltania]

Night sweats could also be related to perimenopause.

 

[dick0236]

Wondering how soon did you return to ski/ snowboard after OHS?

Two months is too soon for activities where you might take a hard fall and damage your sternum.

I was only 31 when I got my valve and I had to prove, to myself and my wife, that I was tuff. I dug a post-hole with an old-fashioned manual "post-hole-digger" about two months after being discharged from the hospital. It was November in Ky. cold and the ground was hard. Stupid idea on my part......but I did survive with only aches and pains (too many for a fit 31 year old) and I sure as hell would not do it again.

 

[QuincyRunner]

I would guess that my scar turned white after about two years and since then it has been getting fainter and fainter, except for the abdominal scars which have remained more noticeable. I will also say that I have exposed it to lots of sun here in Florida, swimming and running shirtless not to mention bare-chested yard work. I also have not used any topical treatments in an effort to minimize the scars, although I am an older man rather than a younger woman like yourself who has more reason to care about such things. I will even admit that in recent years I have shaved my chest which exposes my scars more than when they were obscured by hair. And BTW, I initially started doing it because it made my multiple EKG’s and Echo’s every year a bit easier. Plus now I also think that in the case of a medical emergency it would make things easier and more sanitary for the EMT’s or medical staff. After all, men’s chests are routinely shaved before being wheeled in for OHS as a standard procedure (not that you cared). My legs are still hairy though (not that you asked)

 

[carolinemc]

Night sweats could also be related to perimenopause.

As mine is related to Type 2 diabetes, worse in the summer time. And female here.

 

[Cris N]

I had my OHS for mitral valve replacement at 57. So I wasn't too concerned about the "look" of the scar but I did encounter other women in rehab who looked at theirs (as did I) as victory badges over their valves. A few people in the intervening years have noticed the bit of discoloration at the top of the incision and have invited me to share war stories with them. And if it really bothers you after a good year - get a tat around it!

Night sweats - check with cardio or your ob-gyn. Could also simply be a result of other meds & activities.

 

[Kkch.i]

Hi @Kkch.i and welcome! Two comments from me if useful:

Re the night sweats - this is probably a bit random, but I get night sweats if my blood glucose level is low (I am an insulin dependent diabetic, but I wondered if this could happen post-surgery for non-diabetics?) To test for that ideally you would need to borrow a blood glucose meter and check during the sweats.

Re the scar - I was told not to sunbathe for the first year, as the sun will make the scar go permanently dark. Also, I found that rubbing Bio Oil daily once he incision has sealed (ie after about week 6) has massively reduced the visibility of the scar. But it takes a few months of treatment.

All the best.

Thank you @LondonAndy! I did more blood tests this weeks and my blood glucose level seems normal. Thankfully the night sweats start to reduce. I will get a glucose if it comes back though!

Re the scar - Thanks for recommendations! Gonna try it in between the silicon sheet!

 

[Kkch.i]

Night sweats could also be related to perimenopause.

Lol @Zoltania, I hope I have 10+ years before perimenopause. But who knows, anything is possible at this point

 

[Kkch.i]

Two months is too soon for activities where you might take a hard fall and damage your sternum.

I was only 31 when I got my valve and I had to prove, to myself and my wife, that I was tuff. I dug a post-hole with an old-fashioned manual "post-hole-digger" about two months after being discharged from the hospital. It was November in Ky. cold and the ground was hard. Stupid idea on my part......but I did survive with only aches and pains (too many for a fit 31 year old) and I sure as hell would not do it again.

I ended up cancelling the trip to be safe

Just looked up what is a post hole lol. That seems intense for chest strength. Glad you did not crack your sternum digging it!

I would guess that my scar turned white after about two years and since then it has been getting fainter and fainter, except for the abdominal scars which have remained more noticeable. I will also say that I have exposed it to lots of sun here in Florida, swimming and running shirtless not to mention bare-chested yard work. I also have not used any topical treatments in an effort to minimize the scars, although I am an older man rather than a younger woman like yourself who has more reason to care about such things. I will even admit that in recent years I have shaved my chest which exposes my scars more than when they were obscured by hair. And BTW, I initially started doing it because it made my multiple EKG’s and Echo’s every year a bit easier. Plus now I also think that in the case of a medical emergency it would make things easier and more sanitary for the EMT’s or medical staff. After all, men’s chests are routinely shaved before being wheeled in for OHS as a standard procedure (not that you cared). My legs are still hairy though (not that you asked)

Mine may take longer due to my genes. I had a 1 inch cut on my knee and it took the scar 10 years to turn light pink. Wondering why the abdominal scars are thicker. Perhaps it is related to the way they cut it? Or people (myself included) leveraged their abs more to lift the upper body not long after the surgery?

I had my OHS for mitral valve replacement at 57. So I wasn't too concerned about the "look" of the scar but I did encounter other women in rehab who looked at theirs (as did I) as victory badges over their valves. A few people in the intervening years have noticed the bit of discoloration at the top of the incision and have invited me to share war stories with them. And if it really bothers you after a good year - get a tat around it!

Night sweats - check with cardio or your ob-gyn. Could also simply be a result of other meds & activities.

Re scars - Thanks for the story. I start to get more used to it. Hope the last bit of scab can come off soon. I might leave it as it is since I got a tissue valve - more surgeries to come

Re night sweats - I have talked to them and done all the tests I can so far. Hope to get an appointment with neurologist soon..

 

[Kkch.i]

yes, its the 750 Sport from 1989. Came out at about the same time as the Paso, but had "more normal" body work. That soon morphed into the SS models.

It had the Weber 44DNCP carburettor and went like stink for a 750. I did a lot of mods on that bike ... its one of the ones I wish I didn't part with.

It has the very classic look! I can see why it was hard to let go of that one especially you spent much time on the mods. I secretly want a Supersports S but it may be too powerful for me as a newbie. My Aprilia RS 660 arrived at the dealer this week though! What are you riding nowadays? Do you mostly ride mountains?

 

[LondonAndy]

Do you mostly ride mountains?

No, mostly motorbikes, I think - he just walks funny

 

[Kkch.i]

No, mostly motorbikes, I think - he just walks funny

Excuse my grammar. This might be a case where the more I explain, the worse it gets