Nervous and curious about surgery

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M

marciemarine

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 24, 2006
Messages
151
Location
Oneida, New York
I have just been told that I need to have both the aortic and mitral valves replaced with mechanical valves. I have been reading as much as I can about the operation and recovery. Does anyone have a story they can share about the recovery. I have never had an operation before and I guess I'm starting with a doozy. I have an appointment to speak tp a surgeon in a couple of days for scheduling. I am 53 years old and am in good health otherwise except for some arthritis in my feet. Any advice?
 
Hey Marcie! Welcome aboard! There are not too many awake at this hour, but many will be along to ease your mind eventually. My sense is that while there are not lots of people with double valve replacements around here, there are more than a few. I'm sure they'll share their stories. It sure does help to know others have been where one is about to go and are hanging around to attest to the benefits of their experience!

Make sure you freshen this thread with a post in the morning so that those of us who hit "new posts" will see it first thing.

Good night.:)
 
Hello! And welcome! I'm on the West Coast, so I'm still awake!

I'm 52, in very good health, but not good shape (not a regular exerciser) and am almost 6 months post-op from an aortic valve replacement. Just one valve! Way to jump into the fire, with 2!! ;)

I hadn't had much experience in a hospital (3 children, out-patient knee stuff) and know how tentative you can feel.

I chose to put all my faith in the doctors and nursing staff and they didn't let me down. I chose to go in smiling and they all smiled and joked with me. I chose to be positive and gracious and they were likewise with me. I had a very good experience...no complications (okay, a little urinary tract infection which kept me in hospital an extra day....big deal). The pain was managed nicely. Sure, you're going to feel messed around with. You're going to ache and be stiff and not have any fun getting in and out of bed for awhile. But the pain is not constant (at least it never was for me). Really just pain when I was moving and always managed pain. And then the hospital food sucks, and they come in for a blood sugar check and BP every few hours, it seems like. But they want you to succeed. They will help you to succeed. You have to listen, and you have to make yourself heard. It isn't that difficult. Just kind of a long few days.

I'm sure there will be others along to chime in. Asking specific quesitons is helpful for us, too. You can start as many new threads with questions as you wish.

Good luck, and we'll be looking forward to hearing about your visit with the surgeon.

:) Marguerite
 
Welcome to our world Marcie!

I'm curious why they said you need Both Mitral and Aortic Valves replaced and why they said Mechanical (only).

Out of curiosity, have you ever had Radiation Treatment to your chest? One of our "Dual Valvers" (Johnny Stephens) had to have both valves replaced with mechanicals because of Radiation Damage to his heart. I've had AVR for the same reason.

Having TWO valves replaced at the same time will of course make for a longer operation. If you have other complications (such as radiation damage) that adds additional risk factors (that can be managed by EXPERIENCED surgeons).

Bottom Line: I recommend that you seek out a surgeon who has considerable Experience with dual valve replacements and a good track record for that procedure. I would be looking for a "Best of the Best" type of surgeon and not settle for a "Good Local" Surgeon, especially if you have other complicating conditions.

There is LOTS of information on preparing for surgery in the Pre-Surgery Forum, and LOTS of information on recovery in the Post Surgery Forum (probably more than you would ever want to read). Browse around for topics that appear of interest and feel free to ask more specific questions. We've all "Been There, Done That" and are still here to talk about it. Note that first time surgeries have an exceptionally high success rate (98%) in patients under age 60.

Another Forum you may wish to browse is the Valve Selection Forum. The new 'Third Generation' Mechanical valves (ATS, On-X, Sorin (Italy), St. Jude Regent) offer improved "hemodynamics" (flow patterns) and reduced potential for clot formation. Studies are underway to see if reduced anti-coagulation and even aspirin-only therapy are sufficient with the On-X valve (which has been around for several years now). See their website or do a SEARCH for "On-X" to find considerable discussion on this interesting valve.

All that 'browsing' should keep you busy for a while. :D

'AL Capshaw'
 
Hey...........

Hey...........

Just wanted to welcome you to the group. The gurus will probably be along first thing in the morning, other than our night owl guru Al. ;)

Many hugs. J.
 
welcome Marcie..

As mentioned before, there are some here with 2valve surgeries and can give you better advice than I can..
I wanted to welcome you:)
I will second what Al said.. do your homework! find a surgeon who specializes in both types of surgeries. And don't rule out a repair on the MV.. I am almost 5months out from a repair on a very complex valve..
I only had one valve done tho.

Please ask away.. there are many here with so much knowledge..
WE welcome you to our corner!
 
Welcome! You've come to the right place to ease your anxiety and to learn tons. I'm "in the waiting room" for my mitral valve and am taking this time to learn all I can.

Rest assured you'll get some top notch advice!

Best wishes to you and welcome again!

Jane
Buckeye in MI
 
Hi Marcie,

I'll be 52 in November and am almost 7 months post-op from a mitral valve repair. Like you, I never had an operation before this so OHS is a pretty hard introduction. In fact I had never been admitted to a hospital. I was in otherwise good health and didn't have any symptoms I was aware of so the diagnosis and surgery came completely by surprise. Glad you found this forum. I didn't discover it until I was 4 months post-op and it's been really valuable. As I recover it's encouraging to know my pace of recovery and experiences are similar to others. Before finding the forum, I really didn't know what to expect.

My experience....while no walk in the park, I actually thought the surgery and hospital stay was not as bad as I had feared. I even had to go under for another surgery and a weeks stay about three weeks into recovery due to complications from fluid build-up. The doctors and nurses were all very helpful and I could sense they really knew what they were doing. I thought the pain was quite manageable with the drugs. For me, the worst part was once I started feeling better it was (and still is) frustrating when you want to do stuff but physically you still have some limitations. It's easy to over do it and you can pay the price for a couple of days. My advice is don't rush it and pace yourself. Listen to you body and when in doubt call the doctor. When I hasn't feeling well (unknown to me at the time because of the fluid build-up) I procrastinated and my doctor gave me heck for not calling sooner.

Good luck!
 
Hi Marcie!

Hi Marcie!

I am in the waiting room for an AVR. Like you, I had no real experience with health challenges or surgery until now. (I am 34). I am sure many more knowledgable than I will offer more advice on dual valve replacements, surgeons, and the rest. I just want to encourage you to ask any question you have, and to read read read. I think you will find, like the rest of us, that this forum is a valuable resource and will ease much of your apprehension. It will also prepare you for all that you face.

Best of luck!!
 
One double valver checking in! I have both mitral and aortic mechanical valves. I was 57 years old at the time of surgery, that was fifteen months ago.

The surgery went very well, no problems at all. After leaving my room on a trolley I remember nothing until waking in the ICU and hearing a man asking why I was still there. I do not remember anything of ICU, no ventilator, nothing. They then moved me to a high dependency room where I still had one on one nursing care.

My recovery went absolutely fine, soon on my feet and then tackling the stairs and even going for a walk alone in the hospital grounds and smelling the roses - wonderful scent. :)

I did have A Fib and was put on amiodarone and digoxin. Unfortunately I have a sensitivity to digoxin (as did my mother) and for us it causes heart block and it hit me a couple of weeks after my surgery - but I am still here.

I have ATS valves and they are very quiet. My INR range is 3.0 - 4.0.
 
Hi Marcie,
Welcome to this site! I have been reading posts here every day since I found out in January of this year that I would be needing mitral and aortic valve replacements. I have learned so much here and the information has been invaluable. I had my surgery on April 25 so now I'm exactly 5 months post-op. Oh...also, I'm very close to your age, 54 when I had the surgery

Here are a few things I can tell you about having two valves replaced, and I had St. Judes....

Your surgeon will order an angiogram prior to the surgery to rule out the necessity for any bypasses during your valve replacement.....if you need bypass they want to do it all at once. I had my angiogram the day before my surgery and went home that day, to return the next morning.

My surgery took a little over four hours, was in ICU about 24 hours and then to the step-down floor. From what I've heard and read, abdominal surgery involves far more pain than cardiac surgery.....my pain was really well managed. Probably the worst problem was nausea after the anesthesia....didn't want to eat anything for several days. Immediately post-op my back was bothering me quite a bit because of the position that you are in during surgery. In ICU, they put a heating pad under me to help with that....so don't be afraid to tell them what hurts and ask for something to help with the pain. I was discharged in five days.

I am lucky in that I've had absolutely no complications. Incision healed with no problems. It is very important that you get plenty of rest and you will know how much you need immediately after surgery because you will get very tired for the first several weeks. You also need to walk as much as you can to get yourself back in shape. I saw my surgeon 6 weeks post-op and he told me that he didn't think that I needed cardiac rehab, and recommended that I just walk as much as possible. I have been following this advice and have gradually increased my mileage so that I can now walk over 5 miles a day. I would say that initially stairs and hills were a challenge, but after about four months, these have gotten much easier.

I'm on Warfarin and this has really not been a problem at all. I get checked every 2 to 3 weeks and they have finally gotten my dosage to the right level. I plan on trying to get my insurance company to approve a home testing unit soon.

My surgery was done at the Mayo Clinic (I am so fortunate to actually live in the city where it is located.......what a blessing.) My surgeon was Dr. Charles Mullaney and I was very happy with his work......

Please feel free to ask any questions and you can send me a personal message if you'd like to.....i'm open to answering any and all questions that you might have.

Susan
 
Hi Marcie,
Here's something that I forgot to tell you.......the mechanical valves will click quite a bit....mine are very noticeable. Even my surgeon commented that they seemed pretty loud. I don't know if two are louder than one......I'm the only person that I actually know who's had valve replacement so I've never heard anyone else's valves! Five months post-op I'm still getting used to this....my heartbeat is also quite noticeable. Initially after the surgery my heartrate was also pretty high, in the 90's, which I understand is pretty common. It has now definitely come down from that and is usally in the 70's.

Susan
 
We have to talk!

We have to talk!

Hi Marcie

We're neighbors! My wife, Diana, and I live in Rome, NY. I was 53 when I had both mitral and aortic valves replaced with St. Jude mechanicals--soon to be two years ago. I have had a textbook recovery with no complications and I feel great. Warfarin has been no issue to deal with. Let us know what other questions you may have for a central New Yorker who has the same issues as you, and we'll try to help.

If you want a phone number so we can talk, let us know. Diana and I would be glad to visit with you if that would help.

Mike
 
I forgot one thing

I forgot one thing

I forgot to tell you that my heart surgery was my first surgery. I had never had so much as a stitch or a broken bone. I know what it's like to start out with a doozy.

Mike
 
Marcie:

Welcome!
Your personal info indicates you have both aortic & mitral stenosis. Have you ever had balloon procedures to open the valve openings?

My St. Jude valve was noisy the first year. Now, 3 years post-op, I very seldom hear it -- only in the bathroom, with the tiled walls. No one ever hears it now.
 
double mechanical here!!!!

double mechanical here!!!!

Hi Marcie and welcome to a great place to get alot of information.
I too have had both valves replaced in June at Stanford University Medical Center. I'm 49 years young and had no problem adjusting to the new mechanical
valves. ( and no theres no double clicking) I hear the clicking all the time when its quiet around here. But you get used to it and its better to hear it then not too. My energy level and feeling better gets better everyday. I start cardio rehab in a couple days and look forward to feeling better then I have in years. Make sure you check out all the information and doctors before you make any decisions and try not to be in a big hurry to find the right dr and hospital.Will be parying for you and if you have questions you've come to the right place.
 
Hello:

My husband had two St. Jude valves implanted 5 years ago, October 3rd. However, evidently we did not recognize some of the symptoms as early as we could have, and as a result, he has some residual problems. He has chronic a-fib, and needs his tricuspid valve repaired and a pacemaker implanted. I think he will have this done come January, for personal reasons he is waiting.

Now, he was in pretty bad shape when he went in to have the first surgery done. He is in MUCH better shape now. He elected to go to Boston to have the valves replaced, as there was only one doctor locally who had any amount of experience with 2 valve surgery. So, to Boston he went! We got a referral from another man in town that had dual valves implanted, and he actually did perform the surgery. Fine man....saved my husband's life. My husband's problems were caused by having had rhuematic fever when he was 18 years old. - We always knew he had heart damage, and would face surgery one day. The symptoms just sort of creeped up on us though, and frankly he is not a complainer at all. So, he has some left over issues.

He never smoked, and is not even 5 lbs overweight, never has been. He is now unable to work, but he does manage to keep himself fairly busy.

The clicking? Well, he is hard of hearing, and wears hearing aids. So, he has NEVER heard them. I hear them only occassionally. If we are in an area where there are hard surfaces, and his back is to them, I will hear it. If he is sleeping with his mouth open, I will hear them. I love the sound. I find it very comforting. Of course, he was close to seeing St. Peter when he had the surgery, so I may feel differetly than others.

Yes, he takes medications. No, he has never had a big problem with coumaden.

We both wish you the best. Find a doctor you trust, and go for it.

Marybeth
 
Hi Marcie,
I had my aortic valve replaced and an aneurysm taken out a little over two months ago. I don?t remember a whole lot from the day of my surgery. I was pretty groggy and took several hours to wake up. I do remember them taking out my ventilator, which was a weird experience but once it was out not a problem. I didn?t eat much the first few days and was in quite a bit of pain. By about the 4th day after surgery, I was starting to feel a lot better and went home. I was back to work after 4 weeks and was able to get back to running after about 8 weeks.

Things that I wish I would?ve known to expect:
- You will be woken up A LOT during the night at the hospital. Don?t expect to get much sleep.
- The anesthesia and pain killers will make your taste buds weaker and most things will not taste the same for the first couple weeks.
- Morphine made me VERY sick. I?m sure it is not like that for everyone, but I had a very hard time coming off of it. Trust me, you will not want to be throwing up after OHS, it hurts like heck. Let your doctors and anesthesiologists know ahead of time of any concerns with pain medications.
- The nurses are serious when they want you to get out of bed and try walking mere hours after waking up from surgery on the first day.

Things I am glad I did:
- Accept help from others. I had a hard time depending on people in the beginning, but am very happy that I did.
- If your insurance allows for it, do the cardiac rehab program. It?s basically like having a free gym membership. It also gets you out of the house and lets you meet people who have been through similar experiences.
- Find this group. Everyone here is great and offers a lot of valuable information.

Good luck to you and let me know if I can answer anything else for you.

KJ
 
Hey MarcieMarine!
These pre-op days, to me, were the worst part of OHS. Just exhausted. I had found this site prior to surgery so I felt completely prepared and knew what to expect. I've had umpteen other surgeries unrelated to heart so I knew to tell the docs who were knocking me out to give me all they had in terms of keeping my tummy calm. I woke up...tummy never felt better and I was never ever in any kind of pain. I knew the vent was there but it seemed like my awareness of it was short lived as in 'she's awake, she doesn't like it, let's knock her out.' I never really felt anxious. I was just so thankful the waiting was over. I remember feeling quite proud of myself. You're weak at first. Just make sure you do your little baby step walking and advance into trips around the nurses' station. Make sure you have someone walking with you. Know in your 'heart' you can do it and the results will be miraclous! Oh, I'm just about 6 months out and was 49 at time of surgery.
Take care!
Debbi
 
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