SCCWS
Well-known member
I had AVR replacement surgery the beginning of last September. I bumped into a good friend I had not seen for a few months last week and he asked how I was doing. At first I wasn't sure what he meant but then realized he was asking about my recovery. Funny, but unless someone brings it up, I don't even think about it.
I started seeing a cardiologist 5 years ago after my MD decided the results of my annual echo had reached the point where I needed a specialist. When I went to the Cardio 5 years ago, he looked at the echo and said I would probably need surgery in 3-5 years. When I went last June-2012 for the results of my echo, he said I would most likely need the surgery this spring or summer ( Year 5). Luckily I felt great and was speed walking 30 minutes a day. I also had a first grandchild who was turning 1 last August. So I decided I did not want to wait another 9-12 months but rather go in September 2012 and get it over with. I thought since I felt great it made more sense to go in then since I assumed it would help recovery. Also, as I saw my grandaughter growing quickly, I wanted to get it over with and enjoy her more. In hindsight it was a great decision. I posted numerous posts on this site last year. but it hit me last week that next month will be a year. I can do anything I want and I hardly even think about the surgery. The only inconvenience I have is a daily water pill which my Cardio said he likes to continue for one year after surgery or till he sees the first echo which is scheduled next month. Just a few things I posted last year that hopefully will help:
1. I was 63 going in and had never spent one night in a hospital.
2 I put numerous warnings on this site that a key thing is to warn your significant other that their first glimse ( 2 hours or so post) of you after surgery is not pretty. It really upset my wife even though I had warned her based on tips from this site. I guess all the tubes still connected does not help the look. Having said that, my wife was stunned how good I looked at noon the day after. I was sittting up in a chair by 10:00am that morning and stayed up till dinner time.
3. The 2nd day after surgery I was released to the step down unit and released on the 5th day after..... Surgery Wednesday afternoon and released Monday morning.
4.I chose the bovine valve despite being 63. I was convinced that the next time the procedure will be less invasive. After having the surgery, I felt it was not a major problem anyway. I am no hero, but I did not need any painkillers after the first dose I was given in recovery. The nurse kept asking but I said wait until I feel pain. I never did.
5. Worse part of the whole procedure was the cough which started a few days after I got home. It was awful for a week. In fact, my MD told me to start taking the painkillers for the cough that I didn't need for the pain.
6. I had a bout with A-Fib which was aggravating. I was on Cumidin from mid Oct-mid Dec. It was frustrating like the cough problem but I got through it.
I am so happy I went early. Looking back it was not a major inconvenience. I am retired ( which probably helped not worrying about work) but am very active. The purpose of this long rant is to once again provide some tips and hopefully provide some encouragement. If a valve is in your future, I think it is very important to stay in the best shape you can before going in. Finally my first visit to a hospital was wonderful. The procedure was less than I envisioned, the recovery had some bumps but was not too bad. I sent a letter to the Hospital afterwards complementing 4 different nurses who treated me like I was a family member. I did not have one nurse who I found any fault with. Maybe I just got lucky.
I started seeing a cardiologist 5 years ago after my MD decided the results of my annual echo had reached the point where I needed a specialist. When I went to the Cardio 5 years ago, he looked at the echo and said I would probably need surgery in 3-5 years. When I went last June-2012 for the results of my echo, he said I would most likely need the surgery this spring or summer ( Year 5). Luckily I felt great and was speed walking 30 minutes a day. I also had a first grandchild who was turning 1 last August. So I decided I did not want to wait another 9-12 months but rather go in September 2012 and get it over with. I thought since I felt great it made more sense to go in then since I assumed it would help recovery. Also, as I saw my grandaughter growing quickly, I wanted to get it over with and enjoy her more. In hindsight it was a great decision. I posted numerous posts on this site last year. but it hit me last week that next month will be a year. I can do anything I want and I hardly even think about the surgery. The only inconvenience I have is a daily water pill which my Cardio said he likes to continue for one year after surgery or till he sees the first echo which is scheduled next month. Just a few things I posted last year that hopefully will help:
1. I was 63 going in and had never spent one night in a hospital.
2 I put numerous warnings on this site that a key thing is to warn your significant other that their first glimse ( 2 hours or so post) of you after surgery is not pretty. It really upset my wife even though I had warned her based on tips from this site. I guess all the tubes still connected does not help the look. Having said that, my wife was stunned how good I looked at noon the day after. I was sittting up in a chair by 10:00am that morning and stayed up till dinner time.
3. The 2nd day after surgery I was released to the step down unit and released on the 5th day after..... Surgery Wednesday afternoon and released Monday morning.
4.I chose the bovine valve despite being 63. I was convinced that the next time the procedure will be less invasive. After having the surgery, I felt it was not a major problem anyway. I am no hero, but I did not need any painkillers after the first dose I was given in recovery. The nurse kept asking but I said wait until I feel pain. I never did.
5. Worse part of the whole procedure was the cough which started a few days after I got home. It was awful for a week. In fact, my MD told me to start taking the painkillers for the cough that I didn't need for the pain.
6. I had a bout with A-Fib which was aggravating. I was on Cumidin from mid Oct-mid Dec. It was frustrating like the cough problem but I got through it.
I am so happy I went early. Looking back it was not a major inconvenience. I am retired ( which probably helped not worrying about work) but am very active. The purpose of this long rant is to once again provide some tips and hopefully provide some encouragement. If a valve is in your future, I think it is very important to stay in the best shape you can before going in. Finally my first visit to a hospital was wonderful. The procedure was less than I envisioned, the recovery had some bumps but was not too bad. I sent a letter to the Hospital afterwards complementing 4 different nurses who treated me like I was a family member. I did not have one nurse who I found any fault with. Maybe I just got lucky.
