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Having been through two OHS in four years, one of the most valuable and helpful things I learned was to speak up. If you have a concern, let your nurse/doctor/therapist....whomever know. If you don't understand, ask again. If that person does not give you an answer your find acceptable...

Most of the thread titles and conversations exclude any mention of other heart valves but aortic. Some of us here have had open heart surgery(ies)/valve replacements of other valves. Every now and then, it's good for us to mention we have other valvers here. I am a mitral valver and went...

Is Electrolysis, permanent hair removal, safe for a tissue valver? Is there any worry re: endocarditis /infection? Thanks anyone who can help.

Hope those with tissue valves will share......... Have any of you who have a tissue valve been told by any of your doctors to avoid taking calcium supplements? I know calcium supplements and calcification of tissue valves have been discussed on this forum before but I'm hoping some will...

I have Carpentier Edwards bovine in mitral position and my valve is coming up to 4 1/2 years. How old is yours? I think this could be interesting.

Most of us spend a fair amount of energy choosing our surgeon and learning what we can about their teams and the hospital where they operate. The vast majority of us report after surgery they know they made the right choice. I think of my surgeon often... maybe more than I would had he not...

For those who are more than 6 months post op, do you still walk on a regular basis? Do you bike or go to the gym or get any sort of regular exercise? If you were not physically active prior to your surgery but became dedicated to the mandatory walking after surgery in order to help heal...

This is something that never occured to me prior to my first surgery but I think it worth mentioning. For those awaiting surgery, either having already met with your surgeon or not, did you discuss with him/her what method they would use to close your incision? If you've had your meeting and...

I was reading another thread on this forum and it triggered a memory from my first OHS. I had already left CICU and was in step down unit probably only one day. I recall waking from a nap, I knew I was awake and felt okay but I was so exhausted with no energy to spare that I literally lay in my...

I am not the best at research and entering the right combination of 'key' words so hopefully someone here can help. My question is gloomy but happily does not apply to me. It is only a For My Info type thing as I have wondered about this since being diagnosed and it still lingers in my mind...

I was reading another thread and I had an "Ahhhh moment". Anyone else associate with this? This is the first time since I began this whole heart journey coming up to eight years ago that I truly recognize and accept I am no longer the "A" type personality I used to be. I always wanted to...

Over 7 years ago, I had my first OHS. My scar healed well with no keloid but the 8 or 9" of it was certainly visible. It wasn't a 'horror' but one knew I'd had my chest cracked when I wore low v neck top or swimsuit etc Barely four years later, I had second OHS and that scar was reopened. I...

Seems we read here so many people who get A-fib in the weeks/few months following Valve Replacements. Two things have struck me and I'm wondering if I am mistaken or my 'casual impressions' from reading are somewhat accurate. I wonder if it could be as high as 75% or so of Valve Replacement...

Many of us have had surgeries through our lives for many different things totally unrelated to our heart issues. I had two big abdominal surgeries with big, long incision. They both went well, solved the problem, I healed and got on with it with no particular emotional aspect other than a...

I saw my cardio today and had a good appointment, thankfully. I'm three years out from my second surgery but he still sees me every six months and wants to continue that pattern. I thought he'd switch me to an annual appointment but he said no. He also does an echo annually. How often do...

For those who have had their chests fully opened, no matter the number of years since are any of you totally ache, pain, throb, sensation free at your incision site? Does weather never effect it, are you never aware it has been cracked open? My first surgery, I had frequent discomfort four...

I just heard an advertisement on Fox News that 'substantially' said the following: "I am so glad I am a cardiologist. I see people at their most vulnerable. So many take blood thinners and are on the same dose. We know that isn't right so it's good we have DNA testing and we can determine...

My wonderful Mass General Surgeon who did two OHS for me in four years has passed away (bless his soul). He was magnificent and so good to me. Should I have a question I would normally address to my surgeon, who should I call? Yes, I know I can ask my PCP or Cardio but they aren't surgeons...

Will they be done in Cath Lab by Interventionalist Cardios or by CT surgeons in OR?

I was just listening to Dr. Rosenfeld on Fox News this morning and I think I heard them say people with pacemakers need to stay away from microwaves? Is this true? I never heard that before. (I don't have or need a pacemaker but this really caught my attention.) Thanks.