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williamp

Hi all, I am 46 and have been recently told that I need to have my aortic valve replaced. This seems like the best place to come for such questions so here goes:

How much of a change in my health can I expect from the replacement? I like sports but have had to curtail such activity in the last few years. Will I be able to participate in sports (fencing and running and weight lifting) after the surgery?

How long until I am up and around and able to do simple things like drive myself to the store and such?

What sort of questions should I be asking my doctor now?

What do you know now that you wish you had known prior to surgery?

Warm Regards,
Will
 
Firstly, welcome to the VR community. Glad you found us.

Change in health - Hopefully an improvement. I was asymptomatic and had a reapir, not a replacement, so I'm not on coumadin. I do everything I used to do again, but I wasn't the real athletic type. Hopefully others with more experience in things like weight lifting will come along with some insights.

How long to drive - Typically 6 weeks. You need the sternum to heal and be off of any pain killers.

Sorts of questions to ask my doctor - With respect to questions about what to expect, here's a link to some good pre-op and post-op videos to at least provide some info on what to expect. It's a place to start and other questions may surface from there.

http://www.uhn.ca/About_UHN/programs/cardiovascular_surgery/cv_pt_info.asp

In terms of questions about your specific surgery, it hard to know what questions without more details about your situation.

Wish I had known before surgery - How much time and patience it takes to fully recover and feel "normal" again. It takes a while but it will happen.

Best wishes and good luck. Again welcome.
 
welcome

welcome

Welcome to our little site! You'll find lots of good posts and answers here. As you asked about sports (running is my thing) I'll take a stab. In as much as you have already curtailed participation, you should expect to feel better after after recovery (6 months to a year). Many of us who run were able to keep going up to a few months before surgery, and got back into it 3-4 months after sugery. PLEASE do not compare yourself to those golden years before surgery when you had no symptoms. You'll be doing your new body a great disservice.

I am 6 months post op, and celebrated with a 13 mile run, getting ready to do a marathon at 38 weeks post op....I say this as a point for me...everyone recovers diferently....
 
Depends on what kind of valve you get and how your doctors feel about certain issues. Fencing with a mechanical valve might not be a good idea, but then again, your not really getting stabbed either. Weight lifting will most likely be limited, so don't plan on be in a Mr. Universe contest. Outside of these, you should be able to do anything you want, faster, better, stronger, ...........We have the technology. We can rebuild him.
 
Hey there,

What I wish I knew prior to surgery.....
that I was going to feel like a million bucks but I was going to take the long route! Despite a post-op setback related to fluid around my lungs and a quick battle with lymphoma (so far I am winning:D ) I honestly have never felt better.
I still lift weights. I am a woman (hear me roar) so I naturally am not lifting a heck of alot. However, my goal is simply toning. Unless your goal is to be Mr. Universe ...:D ...light weights should be ok, however, definitely secure this same opinion from your surgeon.

Post-op return to normalcy...Surgery on Thursday...released frm care Monday. Drove home sitting up on Tuesday. Was doing laundry Tuesday evening. Wasn't in situation which allowed me to be babied, pampered as others are so my return to independence was very fast. I hope you are able to be well taken care of because you certainly deserve it and will need it.
I drove back to my classroom (40 miles round trip) two weeks later to take care of important paperwork related to my job. Otherwise tried to stay out of car altogether for 4 weeks. After that I was chomping at the bit to get movin'.
People are different. Situations are different. I hope you have a very positive experience.
Debbi
 
Will,

I was 43 when mine was replaced in 1991. In the 15 years prior to OHS I ran about 15,000 miles and 150 races. In the 15 years after, I ran about 15,000 miles and 150 races.

I wrote several articles about the experience for the local road runner's club magazine. The earliest ones are full of angst and uncertainty. The later ones include follow-ups on the 10th and 15th anniversaries. You could read them here if interested: http://home.nycap.rr.com/sumorunner/html/valve-info.html

As for weight lifting, yes I did cut back for many years. I don't hold back any longer, but I never lifted heavy to begin with.
 
Will,

Great questions...

I was 33 when I had my aortic valve replacement. Like you, I wanted to know about life post-op. Specifically, I wanted to know whether or not I would be physically limited from here on out.

That said, I could spill into a long, long, long monologue about what to expect during your recovery, blah, blah, blah. But, I won't.

Instead, I'll cut right to the chase.

Pre-op... I was a surfer. 2-3 times per week.
Pre-op... I was a diver. I have dropped over 100 times around the world.
Pre-op... I was single.

Now, for the fun stuff...

Post-op... I surf 2-3 times per week.
Post-op... I dive. I'm just returning from Fiji. Amazing!
Post-op... I am married.

My point... If I can return to normal and then some... So can you.

I wish you best of luck on this amazing journey.

Cheers,

Adam
 
Hi Will,

Welcome to vr.com. The quality of my life has most definitely improved. I feel better than I have in years. Now all of this is due to my AVR but some indirectly. I made several life improving changes when I found out that I was heading to the cutting board, no comments from those who know me. :p :cool: :p The fact is that I needed the surgery to have a chance at quality of life in the future. There are no guaranties but I believe we can hedge our bets.

Cooker
 
3 months post op

3 months post op

Hello Williamp,

I had my aorta replaced April 20th and yes, I am doing better now than before the surgery. It's definately a slow healing process. Somedays good and somedays bad. Two years ago I was hiking up Mt Whitney. Just prior to surgery, I could barely walk up my stairs in my house. Today I'm walking 3-4 times a week and starting back with weight training (very light). I do not get winded like I used to and somedays (3 months post op) I feel great. I've had a couple problems with A-fib but I keep a positive attitude and plan again to hike Mt. Whitney next August. I also plan to cross country ski in February. I was in great shape before my bicuspid aorta valve gave out on me but in a year I plan on being stronger than before. I'm only 45 years old and I told the Doc's that I've got alot to do in my life and this was just one hurdle to jump over. When I get to 90 years old and look back, I'll say the surgery was only a speed bump in life. It has it's up and downs but you'll get over it.
 
Welcome to the site!

I have an AVR and I am on Coumadin. I was not very active before I had surgery. Honestly I am more active now than what I was before, my Dr. hasn't given me many restrictions other than just take precaution. My health has been great since surgery, no problems at all. I would talk to your Dr. and ask about restrictions on sports and exercise.
 
Welcome Will,

We have MANY Runners and Bikers (see the Active Lifestyles Forum).

If you get a mechanical valve and are on Coumadin, you will be encouraged NOT to participate in CONTACT sports since Coumadin will make you susceptible to BRUISING.

HEAVY weight lifting will be discouraged because that causes your internal Blood Pressure to rise. Arnold Schwartzeneger BLEW a valve by overdoing his exercising shortly after his first VR surgery. NOT a good example!

Moderate weight lifting for toning (Lighter Weights, More Reps) is 'probably' OK. Discuss this with your Cardiologist and come up with a plan with clear limits.

'AL Capshaw'
 
Expectations

Expectations

Hi William,

Welcome aboard!

I agree with what others have already said. Presently, I'm four months post-op.

Recovery and rehab have been a process, but overall things have gone well. I only missed a total of six work days when I had AVR surgery in March. I've experienced a few bumps here and there.

My quality of life is wonderful. Other than dealing with daily meds (coumadin) and weekly INR checks (I use home monitoring equipment) my life has not changed much at all. I still pursue the same activities that I engaged in prior to the surgery. I sail, golf, bicycle (road & mountain), and hike. This winter, I will resume skiing. My cardiologist has encouraged me to pursue as much physical activity as I want to.

The alternative to having a needed valve replacement surgery does not have a huge amount of appeal. Good luck as you begin the trip many of us have embarked on. We will be here to support you.

-Philip
 
Welcome Will

Welcome Will

I think you'll be able to resume fencing and running, and at least some weight lifting. Be patient with your recovery. Don't get discouraged! I was 29, and before I went back to work was doing short runs three times a week, and downhill skiing. Wish I was still in as good shape!:D Brian
 
Hello fellow Portlander (well, I'm in the South metro area) Sorry I missed your post from a week ago but where did you go????

Hope you'll come back and get to know us here. We're a great support group and can help you through some of your challenges.

Which hospital will you be going to? My surgery was at Good Sam in NW.

Hope to see you back soon.

:D Marguerite
 
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