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Cannon4me, I agree with Pellicle, that knowing what I know about the new mechanical valves, I just got one 7 weeks ago, I am not too worried about the Coumadin issue. According to my surgeon, the latest valves, pyrolytic carbon valves, which all new ones are made, have been used in Europe...

Welcome pumpkinhead, Great place to be with lots of caring folks and valuable information. Glad to hear you're on your way and off and running on the road to recovery. Tom

Good information, does anyone take Warfarin and a baby aspirin to boot? Out of the hospital I was told to take a baby aspirin in the morning and the coumadin at night. I have to say, the INR hasn't been any problem. I expected it to be a major issue since it was such a problem leveling out in...

Pumkinhead, I think it's different with everyone in terms of how their body reacts. You need to visit with Vadim, "GymGuy." He is a competitive weight lifter and is back at it full force after 6 to 8 months post op.(I think that is the time frame, he can validate that for you.) I am now out 7...

Kathy, without going through it it's hard to comprehend. You'll do great, it was only 2 weeks ago for me, but each day the memories of the week in the hospital seem more and more like a bad dream. It will take time, it will be a very tough fight, but you will be surprised of your inner...

Vince, great advice from everyone. I am 46 and just had surgery number 2. This is just me, but back in June my cardio and I talked about doing the surgery in July or wait until December, I wanted to wait until next July. I don't know if waiting caused the issue, but my surgery was pretty...

Vadim, One word, awesome!! Thanks for your information, and congrats on your continued success. Tom

Merry Christmas Mark....

Vadim, thanks for your updates, it keeps me motivated. I talked to my surgeon about lifting and he said in a couple months I could do whatever I wanted. Good luck with the competition my man and keep up the great work. Tom

Congrats on your recovery, nice to know I can compare to someone who is so close to my surgery. This was my second and due to scar tissue and the very severe calcification of the valve. But, the recovery seems to be going better, probably because I know what I shouldn't do this time. What is...

Well friends I am home, long drive home yesterday but I forgot what sleeping at home was like. More than 3hrs of sleep in one night made feel like a million bucks. Well maybe 5 bucks. The week was much harder than I planned, getting use to meds will take time and now I will focus on walking...

This is Tom's sister Mary with an update: Tom is still in the hospital as he cannot get his INR above 1.1, but he is working hard at recovery hoping to be discharged by Monday; it all comes down to the INR... Regarding the surgery itself, things were a little more complicated than he had...

Well friends of valvereplacement, tomorrow I go under the knife for the 2nd time to replace my tissue valve that has calcified and narrowed. I am choosing to go with a St. Jude's mechanical valve this time. I just don't want to go through it a 3rd time, I got 13 years out of my tissue valve...

Hi Carol, I have sleep apnea, actually diagnosed with severe case of it and had to go to a BI pap machine. I did some research and from what my sleep apnea doc has said, it can be related to heart issues, but it can also be related to having been hit in head and can be a brain issue. If it's...

Not sure where it is headed but thought it would be a good read for this site in terms of the future of AVR surgery. I am keeping my fingers crossed and prayers continuing for it to work out. Hope all is well, Tom http://www.kumed.com/newsroom/news/heart-valve-treatment

The new health care reform requires insurance to accept patients regardless of pre-existing conditons. Thanks Tom

Peter, I have read that the on-x valve is supposed to be quieter, and possibly less Coumadin required. Or so that is what their website states. It sounds like noise wise maybe not the case? Gym guy, I am curious that you said you chose a mechanical valve because you said it suited your...

Deb, I would sure be calling your cardiologist and letting him/her know what you are experiencing. I do know herniated disc can do crazy things. This sounds very extreme for that. Good luck and I hope you find an answer.

Gail, I guess congrats on being wire free. Godspeed on a very fast recovery. I guess I'll have to request them not be any resident docs trying to learn how to put breathing tubes in on ohs patients. Thanks for the information. I don't mean to gross you out but my doctor said he had a patient...

Hi Phil, I agree with Steve in that each case is different. In my case my surgeon actually set up my surgery and then referred me to a cardiologist after the fact. I had an aneurysm that he fe felt couldn't wait, I agreed and since I changed hospitals I needed a new cardiologist. My surgeon...