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My surgery was performed at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta. I’m not sure of the technical term, but they made a smaller incision in my chest, which made the healing process much easier and faster. They didn’t break open my chest as extensively as in a normal procedure. You definitely want...

As always, you are quick to help and generous with your comments. Thank you Steve. And thank you to everyone else who has responded. I take my Metoprolol before bed time. It's 25 mg extended release. My resting heart rate has come down almost to the pre-op level, around 65 BPM. My cardio...

My doctor said the thumping would be gone or greatly diminished by now . . . but it woke me up again this morning. Is this something that others deal with six months after surgery?

The surgeon said he had to remove a lot of calcification from my aorta and used a smaller (19MM) valve than normal. So while I may not have been given a graft, he said that I was "revascularized". You've given me something to ask him about. Thanks!

Here we are in February and I'm listening to the "thump . . . thump . . . thump" in my chest while sitting at my computer. Sometimes it wakes me up in the morning. My surgery was Sept 18th. My doctor says it's "normal". Has anyone else had this symptom at 5 months after surgery?

I was with my cardiologist yesterday complaining about my Metoprolol side effects. My blood pressure is good, but they put me on it after my AVR and stents as a precaution. It is driving me crazy with dizziness and light headedness. I was originally on 25mg twice a day, went down to 25mg once...

I have to pick an insurance plan for 2014 and I need some feedback. Before my AVR, I had ultrasound twice a year for my heart, valve and carotids. Also had a heart cath every 18 months to check my valve. The ultrasound is reasonable at about $550 and I can cover that out of my pocket if I...

My surgeon wanted see me a month post op. He turned me back over to my cardiologist for everything else. So I visited both 4-5 weeks after my surgery.

I have to agree. I would be much more afraid of a second OHS than any problems managing your diet on warfarin. Tissue valves can last 15 years, but they can also last 5-7 years. My dad had OHS at 56 with a tissue valve and he didn't make it through the second surgery at 71. I'm 58 and had...

The FDA commissioned a study, which will be completed next year, to test plavix and aspirin vs. warfarin. Initial results have been very promising and my surgeon is very confident it will be approved. This will give us with mechanical valves the best of both worlds; long valve life and easier...

I was out of range today for the first time (1.8) and they seemed very concerned. They doubled my dose today and doubled it tomorrow, so to answer question number one, my sense is they don't want you out of range at all. Question number 2 is based on metabolism, but they tell me that it...

I just had my AVR wih an On-X valve on Sept 18th. They have me at 2.5-3. I also take the baby aspirin. In my research of the On-X valve, it is much less "sticky" than other mechanical valves, so my guess is that you don't need as much anti-coagulation. From what I can gather, 2.5 seems to be...

I didn't go through all the posts, so if this has already been suggested, please forgive me. It is very comprehensive and I use it often. Good luck! http://www.drgourmet.com/warfarin/index.shtml

What wonderful answers from my wonderful new friends! It's 7 am and I've been up since 5 am, because of the pounding. It does make a difference where my head is on the pillow. On my side, not too bad. I invariably wake up earlier when on my back. So maybe I'll try a different pillow. I...

I am slowly getting my INR adjusted, gathering some strength, and having less sternum pain. But the ONE thing that is driving me crazy is my heartbeat pounding in the back of my head whenever I try to sleep. The Dr. says this is normal, along with the elevated heart rate. Something about...

I am 16 days post op and feeling better. But I just got a call from the Doctor that alarmed me; my platelet count is down and my liver function is off. They told me to drink more water, stop taking Zetia, and come back Monday for more tests. Has anyone else dealt with this sort of thing...

thanks for the nice responses. one other thing I notice is a slight tingling or numbness in my hands and feet. It comes and goes throughout the day. is that normal?

First I want to thank all of you for the great advice and feedback throughout the pre-op process. I went in feeling very well informed and it made things easier. They took me in at 7:20 AM last Wednesday, the 18th, and did a mini AVR with a 19mm On X valve. The whole thing took about 5 hours...

Wow, I am so thankful for all of the great feedback. Reading the "Going for Heart Surgery" booklet with my coffee this morning and I feel better today. Like some of you have said, it's a "let's get this done and feel better" state of mind right now. Will keep you posted!