New to board and 5 days from surgery

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T

TFBruce

Active member
Joined
Dec 5, 2008
Messages
42
Location
Austin, TX.
Hello all-
I am so glad I found this site-thanks to Adam Pick, author of "Patients Guide to Heart Valve Surgery".
I have the standard BAV and it is now time for new parts and pieces :)
That said, I have experienced more raw emotion over the past couple of weeks than I can remember...
Getting all my affairs in order, lining out my support group, and mentally preparing has been very hard for me. Prayers and friends have made it more manageable, though.
My surgery, the Ross Procedure, is scheduled for December 10, at 8:00 AM. I feel so very fortunate to have found Dr. Oswalt, right where I live, in Austin, Tx. From all my research he is one of the best at this procedure. I will be at the Heart Hospital of Austin, again heard nothing but good things about the facility.
I have done such extensive research on the Ross Procedure, seen so many pictures, and have seen videos of the procedure, I am darn scared!!!
I am truly fearful of recovery and the pain associated with.
It does ease my fears to read various posts on this site.
I look forward to hearing from those who have experienced Ross.
Bruce
 
Bruce there is far less pain then your thinking and it's very well controlled so long as you ask for more medication BEFORE your last wears off. Honestly, it's not as bad as your imagining. I just had all my teeth out in October. That hurt worse, my hip replacement was much much worse. I think your getting the picture. Days 1 through 3 can be a bear, but get beyond that and it's a slow but steady recovery from there.

It's quite normal to be scared out of your mind. I don't care if it's your first or more times, you still feel the same way. The Reason...Your not in control of the situation anymore. We humans can't allow that, but have too. (Maybe I should have said, "You Humans" some say I'm not a Human. :D)

Welcome to the forum by the way. We'll go with you all the way through and back and then hope you'll spend some time helping other newbies to this to relax and realize that it's not all that bad.
 
Bruce,

Welcome aboard. I was like you so fearful of the surgery, of the pain, of the recovery, etc. etc. etc. so much anxiety and fears...but the truth is all went so smooth and there was pain right after you come out of the Operating room which is important to know that your sensations are working well, the first couple of night will be hard, but as for pain, the medication will take it away.

All the prayers you are receiving won't be in vain. So, be relaxed and hope for the best.

With my prayers for a successful and smooth recovery:)
 
I didn't have a Ross procedure so I'm no help there.

Being scared is normal don't think anyone was more so than I. I gave through it fine and so will you.

Welcome
 
Ross Recovery

Ross Recovery

Bruce,

Best of luck. The waiting is the hardest part. You are very lucky to be in Austin. I almost went there myself to see Oswalt until I found Dr. Ryan here in Dallas. Just take it easy on the recovery and I'm sure you'll do fine.

Do you have a backup plan in case you're not a good candidate for the Ross? Sometimes they find these things out after they raise the hood.

We'll send a few prayers your way on the day of the surgery.
 
I see you are a rider. Me, too. Have a brand new Electra Glide. LOVE IT! Coming off a Big Dog Chopper for the last 5 years. What a wonderful change for me.
Now, to your question: Yes, Dr. Oswalt recommends a mechanical should there be issues, specifically the Pulminary being bicuspid, too. Dr. Ryan receives RAVE reviews!

I hate the thought of being off my sled for 8-12 weeks!
 
I am at my one year post op. I can honestly say it isn't half as bad as you are imagining.

The best advice I can give you, was given to me by a collegue; do not dwell on anything negative. Instead visualize yourself where you want to be.

I did just that; for the days leading up to my procedure I visualized myself waking up with my loved ones around me, I visualized my recovery, and my return to normal activities.

All went smoothly just as I had visualized. I was home in 5 days, I was up sitting and standing up night of my surgery, and I was walking the next day. I was back to work in my office at the 4 week point (part-time, but seeing patients none-the-less).
By 12 weeks I was back to all activities, including riding my horses and light weight lifting.

Eliminate the negative and all those who are negative from your life.

Remember, all is well, and all will continue to be well.
 
riding

riding

Yes, one of the things I decided while in the recovery period of my OHS was that once I got back on my feet I was going to ride my Harley as much as possible. I used to ride a bicycle several hours a week but with small kids I don't have that kind of time right now. So I ride about 70 miles a day on the Road King to and from work. You just get your ticker fixed and I'll look for you next summer at the ROT rally in Austin!

Stay positive and do the cardiac rehab if you get the chance.
 
First, welcome to the madhouse!

Staff in the hospital don't want patients in pain - apart from the fact that they (the patients) get cranky, it can slow recovery. I am just 15 months out, and was knocked out cold for 2 days in ICU (something about a touch of pneumonia and a breathing tube), then another few days in hospital. When I got out, I only took OTC meds at home, and I was fine. There is some pain, I had lots of strained muscles in my back (touch of arthritis in the shoulder and the really tricky way of getting beached whales in and out of bed!) But apart from that, it was a breeze! I was working part-time from home less than a week after surgery, and opened my first retail store within three weeks of surgery.

Just roll with the punches, do what you are told, don't mind them waking you up for bloodwork, BP and stuff, and you'll be OK.
 
Bienvenidos...!

Bienvenidos...!

Welcome there neighbor -- I'm just down the road from you in New Braunfels.

I've read rave reviews of both your surgeon and the new heart hospital there. What brand mechanical does your doc use when/if that circumstance should arise? One of the best is made right there in Austin.

BackDoc gave some of the best food for thought I've read on this website,
"Eliminate the negative and all those who are negative from your life."

I focused on what I wanted post surgery and let the docs do their thing -- worked for me. On arrival home I took only Tylenol..

All the best and enjoy the holiday from the holidays..:D
 
Welcome to VR. Glad you found us. The pain is very manageable with the meds. In fact, I was really surprised at just how little pain I felt under the circumstances. I've hard worse experiences at the dentist. Best wishes and good luck.
 
Hi Bruce the waiting is the worse, you always imagine the worse I know I did. But when I woke up from surgery I think my back hurt the most from lying in that hospital bed. Once I got home it was so much better I got comfortable. It was the ICU part just like 24 hours that was the worse for me once out of there and could start moving around more freely that was the best, minimal pain only took morphine the day of surgery, and then Tylenol with codeine while in ICU and once out of there I went for extra strenght Tylenol. Best of luck and make sure you keep us posted.
 
Welcome to VR Bruce!

Try not to worry. Once surgery is over the pain meds are wonderful. My only mistake was to turn down pain meds the second day a couple of times. Big mistake. By late in the day I was back in Oz and being chastized by the Dr for passing on the meds. From that point on I took full advantage of the meds and had no more problems. Just think in a couple of weeks you will on the road to recovery:)
 
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