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It was easier this time round for sure. Less pain but longer recovery. IIRC I was off metoprolol around 3 months last time but as this time it is a mechanical... LOL! Should have been "shoot at" . I shoot IPSC (Like USPSA) and IDPA. If it warms up , the Tulip festival will be nice again this...

Surgery last April 13th. Didn't get fully up to speed until fall. Only thing I want changed is my Metoprolol. Want to stop it if I can. Going for echo, CT Scan and Cardiologist appt in June. If my Heart beat is lower than 80 ish at rest, I am told I can try weening off it and see how my heart...

10 weeks seems a little early for either a flight or a really long drive. I was back at work at 6 weeks the 1st time at 29 and 8 weeks this time at 40. Even then, I was wiped out after work and could not drive long for at least another 6 - 8 weeks.

Both times I lost weight for about 6-8 weeks then gained it back and more. Slowly coming down with diet and regular exercise.

Apart from being 5 years younger, my experience was almost identical to Scotts. AVR in 1999 with a Homograph. AVR in 2010 with an ON-X and Ascending aorta. I just had a yearly echo and then a CT scan as I deteriorated.

Personally I was in a very playful mood, joking and laughing with my GF. Keeping things light helped all involved with the stress.

My GF rented me a Hospital bed for the living room. While not recommended as it can be easy to be a "bed potatoe" , I loved having the option of another bed, one that the dogs stayed off, for those sleepless nights and also another spot to move to while watching movies or TV. Well worth the $200...

It may have been valium but it was 11 1/2 years ago now. Can't remember much about the whole thing except how much I hated the TEE.

My GF of 13 years came with me to all the appointments and was very helpful and supportive of my valve choice. She was there for the 1st one and her opinion was as important to me as my own. After all, she saw and remembers the things that are a haze for me. ACT is not that big a deal...

I was able to sleep on my side on the 2nd day after surgery this time. Was the only way I got any rest. By 4-5 weeks, I could sleep 3/4 on my stomach as well.

I suspect they believe it may be hereditary as my daughter was tested extensively to check if I passed it on to her.

I had a TEE a mo nth before my 1st AVR. It was the Worst thing about the whole experience. Had a panick attack on the table. Felt I was choking etc. Swore I would never again have one. Suspect I was just not medicated enough. Luckily they did not want one before my recent AVR.

I asked my surgeon as they did a graft on me when I had the On-X put in a few months ago. I was worried that I had chosen a valve that will hopefully outlast me and still need surgery for the graft. My surgeon told me the graft was more durable than the valve and barring unforeseen...

First time, I was driving at 4 weeks and back to work at 6. This time, I was not driving until 9 weeks as it hurt quite a bit to do so before that. Would have waited longer but I had to go back to work.

I was told that if you keep each session to 60 minutes or so, there were no issues. Will have to investigate further.

My GF Jodi had her Gall Bladder removed in February. She was on Coumadin at the time for a DVT and they bridged her for the day surgery. Three incisions plus Belly button. Camera, Air pump, clamps either side and the cutting/removal tool thingy. She was in and out in a few hours and back to...

After my first surgery, I was on metoprolol and aspirin for 3 months. Nothing else for 11 years.

I was told that you might bleed a little more than normal but should be fine without any special meds needed.

Neither the wires nor the valve set off airport metal detectors, don't know about the talons. I was super active after my first surgery and never broke the wires. Once you heal properly, you should be fine.

The only limit I see is not being able to do competitive contact sports. Not huge but something to think about if you enjoy playing hockey, football , rugby or Soccer(Not contact I know but a goodly amount more head bashes than other sports).