ECHO since surgery

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CindyBain

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Oct 13, 2020
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Ponte Vedra, FL
Yesterday, 1/16/23 I went for my first ECHO and follow up with my cardiologist since my surgery to replace my mitral valve on September 7, 2022. NO LEAK in my mitral valve, aorta trivial, and tricuspid not seen, EF 60%!! My Dr said I was doing fantastic, and I don't have to go back for 1 year!!! Amazing, after going for the past four years every 3 to 6 months!!! To everyone facing surgery, it is so worth it!! I am feeling so much better!!! I have also started cardiac rehab. It is nice to feel like it is okay to move my body!! ❤️‍🩹
 

Chuck C

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Dec 5, 2020
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Well done!

It's so nice to get good news from echos. It was no fun getting the progressively worse echos leading up to surgery every few months. Basically, the reports ranged from a little worse than the previous echo, to much worse than the previous echo. But, the two I've had since my surgery have been all good news.

To everyone facing surgery, it is so worth it!!
Absolutely! The alternative to surgery is not good. Probably all of us who have had valve replacement would not be alive if not for our surgeries.
 

Carnelian

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Jul 29, 2017
Messages
74
Location
midwest US
Im confused. Is this your first echo? You have been going every 6 months for what then?
I went through cardiac rehab, prior to my surgery, not after. It worked all right that way for me. The drop out rate was high where I went, mostly men.
 

pellicle

Professional Dingbat, Guru and Merkintologist
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Nov 4, 2012
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12,415
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Queensland, OzTrayLeeYa
Yesterday, 1/16/23 I went for my first ECHO and follow up with my cardiologist since my surgery to replace my mitral valve on September 7, 2022. NO LEAK in my mitral valve, aorta trivial, and tricuspid not seen, EF 60%!! My Dr said I was doing fantastic, and I don't have to go back for 1 year!!! Amazing, after going for the past four years every 3 to 6 months!!! To everyone facing surgery, it is so worth it!! I am feeling so much better!!! I have also started cardiac rehab. It is nice to feel like it is okay to move my body!! ❤️‍🩹

@newarrior

if she can do you you can mate...
 

oo0My_Valve0oo

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Aug 18, 2021
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136
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United States
My intro and lead up to surgery was very quick. I was surprised to be presented with the urgency to have OHS. I didn't have time to fear the surgery itself. I was focused on making all of the arrangements for it and the recovery period. I would have been through the surgery within a month had I not delayed it a month until the new fiscal year. I had an initial echo and the tech seemed to be rushing to the doctor on duty as I left. Either that or she had to use the restroom. :) I only put it together after I saw the urgency around having this done. In 2021 I had the one echo before then two more after the surgery. I had no medical activity in 2022. I was not to have another echo for 6 years but my new PCP who I met for the first time this month had me get one just this past Friday because I described symptoms which were never resolved by the OHS. I have not yet received the results of this recent echo.
 

lilyofthewest

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Joined
Mar 15, 2018
Messages
22
Location
Madison, Wisconsin
Very similar experience at first echo. Had a second a year after surgery and none since. At 5 years I questioned my cardiologist but they said another wasn't necessary. Now it's been 6 years and nothing scheduled. Is this normal? Seems a long time with no check.
 

carolinemc

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May 31, 2010
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1,624
Location
kansas city, mo
Very similar experience at first echo. Had a second a year after surgery and none since. At 5 years I questioned my cardiologist but they said another wasn't necessary. Now it's been 6 years and nothing scheduled. Is this normal? Seems a long time with no check.
yes for many of us get an echo every year to check on the ejection of the valve replaced and if there are any new issues. Last year had one and they found a problem with my Mitral valve, which is has calcification, due to the bypass on the aortic valve and age, from doing my own research. I would feel strange if this was not done on a yearly basis.
 

carolinemc

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May 31, 2010
Messages
1,624
Location
kansas city, mo
My intro and lead up to surgery was very quick. I was surprised to be presented with the urgency to have OHS. I didn't have time to fear the surgery itself. I was focused on making all of the arrangements for it and the recovery period. I would have been through the surgery within a month had I not delayed it a month until the new fiscal year. I had an initial echo and the tech seemed to be rushing to the doctor on duty as I left. Either that or she had to use the restroom. :) I only put it together after I saw the urgency around having this done. In 2021 I had the one echo before then two more after the surgery. I had no medical activity in 2022. I was not to have another echo for 6 years but my new PCP who I met for the first time this month had me get one just this past Friday because I described symptoms which were never resolved by the OHS. I have not yet received the results of this recent echo.
You say you just had the echo done on Friday, give it time, perhaps when you are in the Cardio office, which should have been scheduled for the results. They the techs are in a rush for the hospital schedules echos and other procedures very close in time. Give it a week and then call the cardio office and get another appointment to discuss the echo results.
 
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