49 with BAV replacement happening in 4 days (Mar 9 2022)

[pellicle]

Update: My surgery has been postponed to Friday Mar 11th.

bugger ... well keep the bag packed.

also, try some kimchi, if you don't mind it I strongly recommend it to get "downstairs" working again (easier than the chemicals they'll give you). I take a tub in with me to have on my first meals out of ICU ...

Are stool softeners normally given after surgery?

Not one of the more glamorous subjects but just a little worried with less activity and such and could exertion cause the valve sutures and aneurysm repair to break/come loose? You were probably wondering when somebody would pose this question:biggrin2:

www.valvereplacement.org

Best Wishes

 

[Chuck C]

Hi, I’m a 46yrs old male and just received news today following most recent scan that valve now moderate/severe so surgery to be planned next 3mnts for mechanical valve and aortic aneurysm repair (5cms). Knew the day was coming but really scared. Live in UK and this forum has been brilliant to learn from - especially how brave many of you are that have found yourself in this position.

Welcome to the forum Rich!

At age 46, a mechanical valve is a very reasonable choice, especially as you will be having your aneurysm taken care of at the same time. It is what the guidelines recommend and at your age and will likely mean that you will be one and done.

BTW, 11 months ago I had the same procedure that you're getting done. Mechanical aortic valve with aortic aneurysm repair. The aortic repair was not planned, but my surgeon made a judgement call once he had me opened up, which I'm glad for.

Please keep us posted on your journey.

 

[pellicle]

hey and welcome

Hi, I’m a 46yrs old male and just received news today following most recent scan that valve now moderate/severe so surgery to be planned next 3mnts for mechanical valve and aortic aneurysm repair (5cms). Knew the day was coming but really scared. Live in UK and this forum has been brilliant to learn from - especially how brave many of you are that have found yourself in this position.

Glad its been a useful place for you so far.

I've had similar done back in November of 2011 and its still ticking now. I was 48 then. I wasn't worried (that may not comfort you) because I was quite sure that it would go well and that it would be quite likely never need re-doing (because they were also fixing an Aneurysm).

Also, you may want to post something in "introductions" rather than in the middle of someones question thread

 

[Rich1975]

Welcome to the forum Rich!

At age 46, a mechanical valve is a very reasonable choice, especially as you will be having your aneurysm taken care of at the same time. It is what the guidelines recommend and at your age and will likely mean that you will be one and done.

BTW, 11 months ago I had the same procedure that you're getting done. Mechanical aortic valve with aortic aneurysm repair. The aortic repair was not planned, but my surgeon made a judgement call once he had me opened up, which I'm glad for.

Please keep us posted on your journey.

Hi Chuck, thanks for your reply. Congrats on your successful operation. My mind is a little crazy at moment having just been advised surgery so close but knew the day was coming at some point. Just hoping after my recovery phase, my life will resemble a normal for me and I won’t be limited in any way.

 

[Rich1975]

hey and welcome



Glad its been a useful place for you so far.

I've had similar done back in November of 2011 and its still ticking now. I was 48 then. I wasn't worried (that may not comfort you) because I was quite sure that it would go well and that it would be quite likely never need re-doing (because they were also fixing an Aneurysm).

Also, you may want to post something in "introductions" rather than in the middle of someones question thread

Wasn’t sure how to do that as site asked me for recipients to be named in my conversation so was a bit lost on how to enter my story. My apologies to the originator of this post for coming into a conversation In this way. I’ll try to work out the intro in method. Thanks

 

[Chuck C]

Just hoping after my recovery phase, my life will resemble a normal for me and I won’t be limited in any way.

There is no reason why your life should not be normal after your surgery, once you have given yourself proper recovery time. Being on anti-coagulation, you'll need to give up boxing, tackle football, human canonball stunts and machete juggling, but other than that things should be normal for you.

I'm approaching my one year anniversay. Had to give up boxing, which I took up later in life and loved it. However, I can still do jiu jitsu, as it is grappling and involves no head striking, and have been going at it about as hard as I did in the years pre-surgery. Other than giving up boxing, probably a good idea at 53 anyway, and being diligent about taking warfarin and testing myself weekly, which takes about 5 minutes, things have returned very much to normal for me.

 

[d333gs]

All the best to you djman! I am 4 weeks out from ascending aneurysm repair and valve replacement. Modern medicine is amazing. Things have gone pretty well so far. You should do great!

We are about a week apart, today is my 5th week......AV replacement?

 

[KLS39]

Welcome djman and Rich.

 

[pellicle]

Wasn’t sure how to do that as site asked me for recipients to be named in my conversation

Conversation is for just that, private conversations

You need to make a thread

Then pick the right one

PS, I see you worked it out.

Also apology is not needed, I was simply directing you to the right place to get the most attention for your post.

Best Wishes

 

[Dano64]

Yes I got the dacron tube for the aorta and an Inspiris Resilia valve.

We are about a week apart, today is my 5th week......AV replacement?

 

[cldlhd]

They are doing a Bentall procedure to take care of everything. New valve + aneurysms cover by a synthetic graft.

Good thing that you're getting the aneurysm taken care of while in there. I told my surgeon to do everything that needed to be done while he had the wheels off. He laughed but I explained to him that this is just another day at work for him but it's a pretty big deal for me and not something I really want to do more than I have to if possible..... Basically, I told him I'd rather have a little bit more of the aorta replaced than necessary rather than not enough. Best wishes

 

[cldlhd]

“BAV is strongly associated with aneurysm, ….. maybe likely to drive another surgery “ sob, even after a new AV! ? What would cause that to develop?

I had a discussion regarding this with my surgeon, Dr. Bavaria from the hospital at the University of Pennsylvania, it was a bit of a moot point for me as my cause for surgery was my aneurysm and he ended up keeping my BAV as there was no regurgitation or stenosis. I was curious if the different flow through the valve causes the aneurysm or if it's more a genetic difference with the aortic material. Which would make sense as a BAV is usually three leaflets where two fail to separate. One of the hypothesis is that the material is stretchier hence the likelihood aneurysm. According to him it wasn't totally settled, but he believed it was mostly down to a difference in the aorta but that the irregular flow through the valve could exacerbate it. So basically even if I had a normal valve and the aorta that I was born with. I was likely to get an aneurysm. Not sure about the details but he claimed that he could tell just by looking at the aorta while in there which areas would likely become aneurysmal.

 

[d333gs]

I had a discussion regarding this with my surgeon, Dr. Bavaria from the hospital at the University of Pennsylvania, it was a bit of a moot point for me as my cause for surgery was my aneurysm and he ended up keeping my BAV as there was no regurgitation or stenosis. I was curious if the different flow through the valve causes the aneurysm or if it's more a genetic difference with the aortic material. Which would make sense as a BAV is usually three leaflets where two fail to separate. One of the hypothesis is that the material is stretchier hence the likelihood aneurysm. According to him it wasn't totally settled, but he believed it was mostly down to a difference in the aorta but that the irregular flow through the valve could exacerbate it. So basically even if I had a normal valve and the aorta that I was born with. I was likely to get an aneurysm. Not sure about the details but he claimed that he could tell just by looking at the aorta while in there which areas would likely become aneurysmal.

Thanks CLD

 

[djman]

Hi, I’m a 46yrs old male and just received news today following most recent scan that valve now moderate/severe so surgery to be planned next 3mnts for mechanical valve and aortic aneurysm repair (5cms). Knew the day was coming but really scared. Live in UK and this forum has been brilliant to learn from - especially how brave many of you are that have found yourself in this position.

Sounds like we were in the same boat. Moderate to severe valve, 5.0cm aneurysm. I am on the other side now. It is scary but it will feel good to be on the other side.

 

[djman]

Update: My surgery has been postponed to Friday Mar 11th.

I am on the other side. Still taking pain medication but reducing. Also weaning off oxygen

 

[djman]

Walked as far as 90m in 1 go

 

[Chuck C]

I am on the other side. Still taking pain medication but reducing. Also weaning off oxygen

Well done!

Welcome to the other side!

Keep up that walking and be sure to use the spirometer often to open your lungs back up- very important.

Please keep us posted.

 

[d333gs]

Thats really good for the second day! Can you eat?

 

[Luckyguy17]

I am on the other side. Still taking pain medication but reducing. Also weaning off oxygen

Good for you djman, it’s a good time to plan for your hospital escape, likely coming sooner than you think.
Wishing you a good recovery

 

[Chuck C]

Good for you djman, it’s a good time to plan for your hospital escape,

Indeed.
My escape was captured on the hospital security cams, as seen below: