Recent content by dick0236

Well done!!

I have no idea what a "David procedure" involves but my surgeon was also a "resident" who was overseen by an experience surgeon altho few surgeons had much experience with OHS in 1967. He was a couple years older than me (I was 31) and he went on to become a Chief of Staff at the Texas Heart...

Welcome to the Forum. Yep, sometimes you get thrown a curveball. Your doctor is right. The best time to fix the problem is before more serious issues arise. Like you, many of us had surgeries as young men and women.....some even while in childhood. At your age, you are smart to get a...

You forgot one! If you step off a curb in front of a bus it will probably kill you. Over my 56 years on warfarin, I have experienced most of the issues listed without concern. The plus side is that I have gone all 56 years on ONE mechanical valve, eliminating the many dangers of multiple...

Some things never change! One of the few things I remember from my surgery was removing the drain tubes. The first one was bad, but the second one was "OMG they are going to do it again"!!! I also had severe back pain and they put me on a rubber mattress through which they ran ice water...

Fantastic!! Welcome to the zipper club;).

Hi Sam and welcome. You and I have traveled similar paths. I was diagnosed in my early teens (maybe before) and had my surgery in my 30's. I know what it feels like to get a "gut punch" like a need for OHS. Fortunately, it is only a "bump in the road" and you will come thru it and go on to...

It is easy to accept a short-term solution (tissue valve) to a long-term problem......especially when the long-term solution (mechanical valve) involves some minor lifestyle changes. When I had the surgery, mechanical valves were the only choice available and I knew nothing about living with...

Welcome to the Forum Jeff.

At my current age of 88 my mechanical valve probably will last "forever"......but I doubt any of us has lived our lives without thinking about the mechanical valve we have.....I know I think about it a little most every day. Correct Warfarin management is not difficult and you should "get a...

You seem to have a good handle on your situation. It is only a "bump in the road" and afterward you will be able to lead a long, productive and happy life.

I'm glad I did not have to go thru the confusing choices that younger valve patients face today. My choice at age 31 in 1967, was simple.....get a mechanical valve or die in a few years. I took the mechanical valve and still have that valve at the age 88. I believe in the simple strategy...

Makes a lot of sense to me.

I've had regular massages and been in saunas several times over the years without problems. When in doubt it is usually best to ask your doctor.

How long has it been since your surgery? How old are you? Have you discussed the problem with your Cardio and/or Surgeon? What's your weight and body build? What valve do you have? My valve sounded like hitting a ping-pong ball with a paddle for a period of time after surgery at age 31. After...