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  1. MikeHeim

    Valve replacement at UCLA

    I also had my surgery (mitral repair) at UCLA with Dr. Laks, who was (and may very well still be) the head of Cardiothoracic surgery there. My experiences there were quite positive and I have absolutely no reservations recommending it whole-heartedly (so to speak). Feel free to send me a pm...
  2. MikeHeim

    Mini-Sternotomy??

    I had the mini (5") when my mitral valve was repaired almost four years ago. I'm not sure that my recovery was any faster because of it. What takes the most recovery time is what they do to your heart, not the bone they have to cut through to get to it. I had no chest pain to speak of after...
  3. MikeHeim

    Breathing problem

    For a few weeks, or even months, it is fairly normal to have some SOB after surgery. If it appears to be getting worse, or even not getting better, you should call your Cardiologist to get their opinion.
  4. MikeHeim

    What's your opinion on a second opinion? :-)

    Second opinions can be a mixed bag. I personally believe that if you are comfortable with your first opinion and the person giving it to you, then you should go with it. If not, get a second one. I know some people around here think you should automatically get a second opinion. Such a plan...
  5. MikeHeim

    when I breathe in

    I had pain with deep breaths for quite awhile (a few months). Sometimes it was in back, sometimes in front, as well as either on my left or right side. If I took one deep breath, it hurt pretty bad, but if I took a second, it was quite a bit better. Since you're already going to the Dr. on...
  6. MikeHeim

    The step is higher for the new surgery

    Just to try to put your mind at ease, from what I've read the risks of a second surgery are pretty close to the first surgery. It's typically the third surgery where the risks go up in a noticable fashion. That said, the risks of a third surgery (again, from what I've read), are only about 5%.
  7. MikeHeim

    Irregular heart beat?

    I had the same thing for at least a few months after surgery. 5-6 times per minute, my heart would seem to miss a beat, and then come back with a really strong one a few moments later. Eventually it just went away. Depending on how enlarged your heart was before surgery, it takes time to...
  8. MikeHeim

    Low Fever

    I had a fever in the mid-99's every night for at least six weeks. I would come on at 6-7PM, and then break with a horrible bout of night sweats at 2-3AM.
  9. MikeHeim

    Vision problems post-op?

    I had vision anomolies (sparks, flashing lines, etc.) almost daily for several months post-op. Like you, I also had an instance where I completely lost vision in my left eye for 5-10 minutes. VERY scary, but it obviously ended up being nothing. I actually just had spots last week for the...
  10. MikeHeim

    Still have night sweats?

    I had night sweats for about six weeks. I personally was concerned as well, but absent other symptoms (fever above 101F, no appetite, spots under fingernails - to name a few) I wouldn't worry about it.
  11. MikeHeim

    Did anyone have a weight loss from surgery?

    I lost about 15lbs after surgery (198 to 183 - or so). I had put on 5-10 in the months leading up due to exercise restrictions, but lost all of that and then some. Eventually put it back on and now sit somewhere in the low 190's.
  12. MikeHeim

    What Do You Wish You'd Known Pre-Surg...

    Amen to everyone that mentioned the pillows. ALL of my pain was in my neck and shoulders, and I had constant problems until my wife was able to go out and buy a neck roll. I also wish that I (and the nurses) had known that I was sensitive to morphine. It's not preferable to be wretching about...
  13. MikeHeim

    Who all uses some type of noise to sleep with?

    12" fan. I've always wondered what my electric bill would be if I didn't run it. Any ideas?
  14. MikeHeim

    New Valve with replaceable leaflets

    This would obviously be a fantastic breakthrough if it works out. I think we should all keep an eye on this and reserve judgement until all the facts are in.
  15. MikeHeim

    Eager to get pregnant after MVR 3 yrs ago....

    There have been people on this site who have gotten pregnant with a mechanical valve and have had good results, and others who have not. Either way, from what I understand, it is an ordeal that requires constant monitoring even in the best case. Here are a couple links from people who have had...
  16. MikeHeim

    Not a heart deal, but...

    ... I'm hoping someone has an idea of what's going on. For the past couple months, I have been "pulling up" phlegm that has occasionally has fresh blood in it (hocking loogies in terms that I am more likely to use). I see the blood maybe only one time per day, and if I try to replicate it...
  17. MikeHeim

    Aspirin therapy - stomach problems

    This is an odd one. The point of the enteric coating is that it shouldn't dissolve until it gets into your small intestine and is actually meant to save you from stomach problems. Please keep us updated as I am interested to see what you find out.
  18. MikeHeim

    Birthday wishes to erhebergen and MikeHeim

    Thanks to all. I haven't posted much lately, but I always keep up on what's going on. At 32 I'm already at the age where I have to think for a minute to remember how old I am - not sure how that bodes for me over the next few decades... :)
  19. MikeHeim

    Strange Episodes

    At nine weeks post-op, I still had all kinds of strange things going on. I had dizzy spells when I stood up, times where my legs felt like they were about 1000lbs each, and ridiculous memory issues - and those are only the things I remember now off the top of my head. I didn't start working...
  20. MikeHeim

    On a scale of one to ten?

    Let me echo what's been said by many others before me. The sternum pain was somewhere between 1-2. The shoulder/neck/back pain was 7-8.
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