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It was clear within days that a 2nd surgery was in my future. Leading up to the 1st I had severe regurgitation. While the cause was suspected to be because I had a BAV, imaging had picked up some unusual tissue that might be playing a role. While the plan for the 1st OHS was a mechanical valve...

I have an On-x. Surprisingly, I love hearing the sound it makes. Perhaps if I had an arrhythmia I'd feel differently, but as it is I find the steady tick to be very comforting.

I got an On-X in 2019. The only thing that came with my valve was a card identifying the device.

None at all. I knew soon after my first surgery that I would need another. My only concern about Dr. Dewan's age was that he might retire before I was ready for #2.

My first surgery was in 2014 and was a repair, the 2nd surgery was last November. By the time I started interviewing surgeons for the first surgery I had already determined that mechanical was the right choice for me. The decision for make and model of mechanical valve was left entirely up to Dr...

I've had two OHS done by Dr. Stephen Dewan. Both surgeries were done at the Heart Hospital of Austin. If I had to do it all again, I'd choose the same surgeon and location.

Thanks to everyone for your comments. Absolutely. I'm not second guessing that situation at all. I selected my surgeon for his knowledge and experience. I'm confident he would not have attempted the repair without a high probability of success. In fact, I'm going back to the same guy for #2. I...

At 50, I learned I had a bicuspid aortic valve and severe regurgitation (no stenosis). I was fit and asymptomatic. Rather than wait for symptoms I opted to immediately replace my BAV with a mechanical valve. During surgery the potential to repair the valve, rather than replace, suddenly became...

Thanks Steve. Already done.

I received a letter from my hospital. The letter states "there have no reports [presumably from my hospital] of patients who have developed this infection to date". Coincidentally, I am working with my doctors to understand the cause of a recent bout of arrhythmia and chest pain (among other...

I just watched a documentary, called Inspired to Ride, about the inaugural Trans Am Bike Race (TABR) in 2014. The winner of that race completed the 4,200 mile (6,800 km) course in less than 18 days. I do hope you are planning for a more leisurely pace. I'm sure it was a suffer-fest for the...

For what it is worth: I hid my scar from the sun for the first summer after surgery. This summer I'll rock my scar proudly... though it is hardly visible.

I remember being fascinated by the OR as they wheeled me in. I was trying my best to get a look around, to figure out the roles of the people and equipment. One fellow introduced himself to me, "I'll be your bartender". That was my last pre-op memory.

I was given an incentive spirometer at my pre-op visit too. I was taught how to use it and after a few practice attempts I was told my "baseline" -- though I found it took a lot more practice to develop the proper technique to record my true baseline. I don't recall my exact numbers but I do...

I'll echo what others have said. Talk to your doctors as soon as possible. Headaches can be a side effect from medication. If that is the problem then simply switching meds will eliminate the pain you are feeling. I get killer migraines from hydrocodone. Fortunately I figured that out years...

Very Cool! Congratulations to you for living your life the way you want. I do have one question. Do you plan on diving the same max-depth you were comfortable at pre-surgery, or have you imposed any depth limitations on your post-OHS self? I'm still looking for my first post-OHS dive.

Welcome James. This site has been, and continues to be, an excellent resource for helping me understand my heart's health. When I learned I had a bicuspid aortic valve, and started seeking information about potential risks, one thing that wasn't immediately obvious to me is that BAV...

Isn't the risk of bleeding event higher with Coumadin usage, required with a mechanical valve, not really the valve type itself? If I'm not mistaken, there have been postings here from OHS patients who selected a bio valve but due to complications ended up on Coumadin anyway. Does anyone know...

I bought a tube of Mederma and applied it each day In addition, I was very careful not to expose my scar to the sun during the first summer after surgery. That tube of Mederma lasted about a year. I was very tempted to, for the sake of science, apply the Mederma to only half of the scar...

I loved my cardiac rehab experience. Prior to surgery I worked out daily. I started rehab the moment they would take me (I think it was near the 3 wk mark). By then I was already visiting my gym daily for treadmill walks. What I loved most about the experience as the feeling of security the...