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In 2007, my bicuspid ao valve was replaced with a bovine valve. It’s time for a new valve. TAVR seems like the way to go. I’m working with a structural cardiac specialist group. A question is what size valve. My current valve is 25 mm but the new folks are saying the inside dimension is 23...

Has anyone had experience with liver cirrhosis caused by aortic valve disease? My bicuspid valve was replaced with a bovine valve in 2007. For the last year, I’ve been having fluid retention issues and now possible liver disease. I’ve been round and round with pulmonologists, several...

I got my surgical report in the mail this week. There were things I didn't know! Surgery was July 6, this year. They cooled me down to 20 degrees centigrade for part of the procedure; that is 68 degrees F. Pretty cold. Then they "warmed" me up to 32 degrees C, which is still only 89 degrees...

10 weeks after my surgery, I did 20.9 miles on my bike today. So far, it is coming along better than I expected. They told me I could give the bike a try after 8 weeks. That first ride was 2 weeks ago today. I rode out for 15 minutes and back for 15 minutes, for about 7.5 miles. It felt...

The surgeon said to wait 8 weeks before I rode or lifted anything, etc. Yesterday was 8 weeks and this morning I got on the bike! It went surprisingly well. I limited the time to 30 minutes, and actually went 33. It was tempting to go further, but I didn't. It seemed that my HR responded...

For any of you people with mechanical valves who are riding bikes or doing anything similar, has anyone quantified the risk of cerbral hemorrage from a head blow? I know that some guys, like Fast Eddie and others, are riding while taking coumadin. There may be a few weeks when I am otherwise...

It is a bit over 5 weeks since my surgery. Last week, I started working almost full time and physically, I think I can work full time this week. But, my motivation level is so low. I feel guilty that I just don't feel like doing hardly anything at work when the other people here are working...

It has been just a few days more than 4 weeks and I went back to work today. Everything was fine until about 3:00, and then it was like someone pulled the plug on me. I came home, laid down on the sofa and fell asleep within a few moments. You guys are right about this energy level business...

My 3 week post surgery resting heart rate is a lot higher than it was pre-surgery. They have me on metotropol, which is supposed to slow the HR, at 25 mg, twice daily. Pre-surgery, my resting HR was in the 40's and now it is around 70 and it doesn't go up much when I walk. Does it ever go...

Well, the afib didn't quit, so my primary told me to come see her last Monday. She immediately stuck me in the local hospital. I had some fluid build up around the heart and lungs and couldn't breath good. My afib was clicking along at about 140 bpm. They gave me a drug to try to convert me...

So far, my recovery from OHS 1 week ago has been textbook. Except for the afib. I had a problem with afib, so the surgeon did a Maze procedure while he had me open. I had an afib episode while still in the hospital, but it resolved after 15 hours. I came home Thursday and went back into afib...

Made it! Yahoo! Surgery was Friday, July 6. Today is Tuesday, July 10, and we just figured out my wife's computer will work in our room. It's hard to know where to start, except that you guys are such a blessing. And for the people that go home after 3 or 4 days, you are my newest heroes...

Surgery is Friday, first thing. I think I'm ready and I think my wife and kids are ready. Surgery is about 4 hours away by car. We are heading out Wednesday afternoon, doing the pre-op stuff Thursday and surgery Friday. This website has me as well prepared as possible. So far, I'm not...

They did my heart cath today for my July 6 surgery. The local doctor gave us copies of some of the pictures and wrote on them that my coronary arteries were "beautiful"--first really good heart news I've had in a while! There was one odd thing. Almost 2 years ago, my arotic valve had "mild"...

A younger-32 years old-guy at my office suffered a really bad broken leg last Wednesday night. They operated in the middle of the night, putting in a titanium rod, etc. Today is Sunday, and he is still on morphine. They are telling him they might let him go home Tuesday, which is about the...

On May 10, I had a CT scan at Shands to check on my aortic root and ascending aorta. The aorta is at 5 cm and I am scheduled for surgery to fix that, the root, my bicuspid valve (now at 1cm) and a maze procedure to take care of an old afib problem. My local cardiologist finally called me about...

Some days are difficult. This was one of them. Even though I don't have any real major symptoms like so many of you have, I can't do the things I normally like to do. Work is difficult because I have a hard time focusing. I was kind of mean to my wife when we were walking the dogs, and it...

The surgeon's office called about a pre-surgery cath. They want me to do it locally, as they are about 4 hours away and don't want to do it the day before the surgery. I asked them some other questions different people suggested, and then came up with my own stupid question. I wanted to know...

My guess is that its normal to have some bouts of depression over all this. The last couple of weeks have been an emotional roller coaster for me and my wife. I've known for several years that eventually I would need surgery, but eventually isn't as scary as July 6. It is difficult to focus...

Either July 9 or the week of July 23. I get to pick. Actually, my wife and I get to pick. Part of me says earlier and part of me says later. I'm 57. They recommend, and I agree, one of the 3d generation pig valves. I also have to get my ascending aorta replaced and they are going to do a...