Search results

This may be a dumb question, but I have not talked to my cardiologist about it and do not plan to go to his office any time soon because of the social distancing. With the Corona Virus, is someone with a mechanical heart valve,10 years post surgery, and otherwise in good health considered high...

Hi, folks- It's been a long time since I've logged in, but hopefully a few of you are still around. The people on this site were invaluable when I was preparing for my valve replacement. Just wanted to say how grateful I am for everyone. Ross was especially helpful, and though I know he has...

Did any of you (especially ladies) experience hair loss post surgery? What about low iron? I am about 1 year post op. About 6 months ago, I noticed I was starting to shed and was losing lots of hair every day. It was in the drain, on my brush, on the floor, on my clothes--very disturbing...

1 Year ago today I was dealing with an Atlanta ice storm and AVR. I'm so glad it is over. Waiting really was the hardest part. Grateful for the many blessings in disguise discovered on this fantastic journey. I'm almost 40 lbs lighter than when I had surgery and am probably healthier than...

I was 5 mos post op on Jun 13th. After a bout with Afib and CHF post surgery, all is much better today. CHF was caused by inflammation from the trauma of surgery and is now gone. After trying many drugs to manage the afib, we settled on this combination of heart medications. I have been on...

I am 3 1/2 months post surgery and the scar is very red per normal healing. However, it was feeling pretty "ropey," and my dermatologist promised a wonder cure to flatten/soften the ropiness, speed up the healing and get rid of the redness if I needed it. So, I took one for the team and had...

Just checking in. I'm now 8 weeks post surgery. I am still dealing with some afib issues (seem to be getting a better), but I must say . . . I FEEL GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No more SOB when I go up the stairs or walk around. No more feeling lightheaded for no apparent reason. Much more energy...

Of those of you who experienced afib post surgery, did you feel it more when you layed down or reclined? I've been dealing with it on various medications for the last 3weeks. So I've probably become hyper-aware of it. BUT, it seems like my heart rhythm is usually better in the morning after...

Hi, folks- I'm 5 weeks post op today. I had a mini-sternotomy. The incision looks great and is healing nicely. I'm wondering about your experience with the sternum itself healing. My sternum feels worse today than it did 2 weeks post op. Maybe it was the anesthesia still in my system at 2...

Hi, gang- 2 weeks ago yesterday I had surgery and am doing really great with the recovery. Lung capacity has returned to better than presurgery. I'm sleeping well and taking short walks throughout the day. However, tonight I had the first weird symptoms that caused a little concern and I wanted...

Just watched a historical movie about how they figured out how to do ToF repair in blue babies at John Hopkins, which started the cardiac surgery movement. It was facinating. I rented it from Netflix. "This Emmy-winning HBO film based on a true story follows white surgeon Alfred Blalock and...

Do you have any recommendations for an accurate blood pressure measuring device?

My surgery is tomorrow. I"m getting an On-X AVR. Surgery begins at approximately 7am. Talk to you on the flip side! Thank you all for the support while in the waiting room. It means so much. If you don't hear from me for a while, updates will be posted here...

Of those of you who have had what was described to you as a minimially invasive AVR (mini-sternotomy), how long was your scar? I was expecting 3 or 4 inches for the scar. Today at preop I was talking to my surgeon's assistant, and I was told my scar would only be about 1.5-2 inches long. It...

Hi, folks- I haven't seen this mentioned before. In prep for my Jan 13 surgery, surgeon has put me on Iron Supplements to build the red blood cells. He says taking extra iron in the weeks before surgery is what you do to reduce the need for blood during surgery. Now, Iron supplements in the...

I will be starting off 2011 with a new and improved heart valve. Dr. J. Alan Wolfe will be implanting an On-X valve in me at the Northeast Georgia Medical Center (number 1 rated heart hospital in Georgia). It feels good to have a date finally!

Hi, folks- I'm having a mechnical valve implanted in January (On-X AVR). Did any of you proactively have the genetic test for warfarin sensitivity done? Is this a routine test? Seems like it would be good know before you start taking it.

I don't recall anyone mentioning a tube/scar in the groin area from their surgery. My surgeon mentioned the incision there would probably be bigger than the one on my chest. What's the scoop?

"One of the very rarest coumadin side effects is warfarin necrosis. It is a dreaded complication that can result from a protein deficiency and cause a necrosis of the skin. Women are most at risk from this side effect, which can lead to gangrene of the limbs in extreme cases. This reaction will...

Has tissue valve replacement become the new "preferred" for 40-50-60year olds? Had my second consult for surgery this morning with a surgeon at Emory in Atlanta. He was very careful not to "sway" my choice of valve, but when asked what he would do if he were faced with surgery today (we're...