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One year ago at this time I was on the table in the middle of a Bentall procedure. It feels like it's been much longer. I don't even remember the pain of the early weeks - I know it was there, but I don't remember how it felt. Everything is going pretty well. I was able to get into the woods...

I had the bump. NP told me it was connective tissue that gets bunched up when they spread the rib cage. The bump reminded me of cardassian armor from DS9 (Star Trek). I definitely told someone that I felt like a Kardashian. That got a very puzzled look. I don't recall how long it took to go...

I had a Bentall procedure done in May of this year. Instructed not to drive for 5 weeks and to turn off the airbag as a passenger. Alternatively, I was instructed to sit as far rearward as the seat would allow if the airbag could not be disabled. Even at 5 weeks and with power steering, I found...

I believe the deposition process for the pure pyrolytic carbon was patented: http://www.google.com.pg/patents/US5284676 My understanding is that the other valves use the older manufacturing method that alloys silicon with the pyrolytic carbon to obtain the required durability and toughness. The...

Hey mick. Good luck. It's gonna be a bit of an ordeal but you'll be fine. I had my valve replacement (mechanical) at the end of May. I'm progressing through cardio rehab now and was able to add a few sets of pushups to my routine a couple weeks ago (knees up, full on pushups). My first memory...

Me too. Knowing how they connect the coronary arteries to the graft and that the integrity depends on stitches into the old root tissue makes me nervous sometimes. No use dwelling on it though.

So he said he'd write the order to bump my upper bound to 2.5 if the nurses running the AC clinic were okay with it. Nobody wants to go against this surgeon. I guess it's one of the drawbacks of getting the best valve guy in the area. He offered me a job after I started talking about the faults...

pellicle I really, really appreciate the time you've taken with this. I can't help but wonder if I am to be included in this next study seeking to support the long-term safety of low intensity AC for patients with ON-X valves. I knew the valve was newer than most but it never occurred to me...

Well it looks like my cardiologist is going to be stubborn about sticking with the 1.5 - 2.0 INR range recommended by the surgeon. His office called and said that he had confirmed it with the surgeon. I meet with the cardiologist Thursday but I haven't found much published information regarding...

I have an On-X but no problems yet. It's still early days for me though. They just lowered my range to 1.5 - 2.0 a bit over two weeks ago. I am taking the aspirin as well and have been since surgery. I'm at 1.7 as of Tuesday night. I feel the 1.5 - 2.0 range is definitely too small. I've been...

As long as you (OP) have no documented history prior to your PEBD, the aneurysm should be considered a service-connected condition. The VA will provide any treatment necessary, including the routine. No matter the outcome, if you get out in 8 weeks or 8 years, go to the VA and put a claim in. In...

It is a shock isn't it? You've been told it would happen eventually but there was always a part of you that didn't believe it. You'll be okay. I wish you the best. The PEARS procedure is still very new. If it were me, I'd be very cautious. I actually asked my surgeon if something like PEARS...

I'm sorry for your loss. I'm very surprised that you're not on limited duty right now. 4.0cm is usually in the monitor category unless there is rapid growth. As I recall, 5.5cm is the point where surgery is indicated for people without complicating conditions. 5.0cm is generally the trigger if...

Well I also design shutters for a living (for cameras and such, not houses) so it has a double meaning :)

I'm 38 and just under 3 months past my surgery. I had an aortic graft and the On-X put in. The surgery was Monday morning and I was released around noon on that Thursday. I went back to work (desk job) half days at 5 weeks and full days the following week. More intense days (my daughter's dance...

I think it's known as a Bentall procedure. You can Google it. I had one a few months ago using an On-X Ascending Aortic Prosthesis (mechanical). They measured my ascending aorta at 5.2cm when it came out, as I recall. I know they can do the same type of procedure using a biological valve...

Mine's aortic. I can identify with a little bit of what you're saying. Some people can hear mine, some can't (usually older folks). Of course I can always hear mine but it's background noise most of the day unless it's really quiet. The thing that bothers me is that I can hear it every time my...

I've been told by 2 different cardiologists and my surgeon that 5.0cm is the generally accepted threshold for surgery if a patient has BAV. Likewise, 5.5cm is the threshold for those with a normal aortic valve.

I'm not gonna lie, it sucks. But it gets better every day. Different hospitals do pain management differently but make sure you ask if you think you need it. My memories of the first 24 hours are pretty patchy. They kept me pretty well sedated but my wife, brother and sister in the room is my...

I also got a On-X AVR about 8 weeks ago. My surgeon wants me at 2.5 to 3.5 for the first three months. After that he said I can go to 1.5 to 2. I'm not comfortable with such a small range that is so low and that's a big reason that I'm trying to get set up for self testing too. I got lucky and...