Diagnosed with 4.4cm Aneurysm near heart and contemplating surgery
Posted , 12 users are following.
I thought I'd start a new discussion because I haven't found anything about people who actually HAD the surgery.
Some background:
I'm a 54 year old Female
Fit and very active in the gym/outdoors
Non-smoker
Never Drank any alchohol
I'm just looking for some feedback from people who have had the procedure done. How long was the recovery? Any glaring side effects? How long has it been since you have the procedure?
I'm a little nervous about it and really want some reassurance on the subject matter.
2 likes, 18 replies
diane05461 adam42886
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I'm a 51 yr old female, who in Feb 2014 had an aortic valve replacement + a 5.2cm aneurysm repaired, I recovered well but slowly but that could be cause I had valve done also, my aneurysm was very bad with very thin patches, doc said it was bad, I wasn't allowed prior to surgery to lift, exert myself in anyway, I would def hav it done as it saved my life. If you hav any other worry's or questions id be happy to help 😊
adam42886 diane05461
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How long was the recovery time? How has the quality of life been after surgery? And finally how long did the procedure take?
Thanks so much for answering my questions!
diane05461 adam42886
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Thankyou yes I'm glad I came out of it ok.
My recovery was about 6 -8 wks, then I did 8 wks of cardiac rehabilitation, which I strongly recommend.
My quality of life is much much better, I do struggle with my mechanical valve (cause it ticks lol) but that side of it shouldn't effect you, I don't really think bout the false bit of aorta that was used to repair aneurysm, I was more worried before op bout that, I do hav to take warfarin for rest of my life but more again for valve. My procedure was bout 6 hrs, I went under bout 8.45am & woke up bout 7pm, I was in intensive care for 2 days, had op on a Tues n went home following Monday 😊
danno141 adam42886
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adam42886 danno141
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gail69270 adam42886
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I had a 5.8 aneurysm on my aortic arch at the top of my heart. Also had a very badly damaged valve. I had the op on 16th december last year. I had no symptoms prior to operation the aneurysm was found by accident during a CT scan for something else. Like you I was anxious about the operation, worried that I was going in feeling healthy and would come out an invalid.
On the morning I went down I had a premed which made me very sleepy and I only vaguely remember the trip to the theatre. Operation took 8 hours and although I am told I was drinking and eating the same day I don't remember anything at all until 48 hours later when I woke up properly. I had expected to be in a lot of pain but really it wasn't that bad. My ribs didn't hurt, the scar was sore though and I did feel very 'out of it'. I was wobbly on my legs too. I had to walk alot to be allowed home so I did, getting home was my main priority - i wanted my familiar surroundings. I would suggest to anyone going into hospital to take a familiar fluffy blanket for comfort, the one sheet and cellular rough blanket doesn't cut it! I had the op 8am Tuesday and I was home by teatime on the Sunday. Once home I needed to rest alot, I got very tired quickly, even just sitting up, but I kept walking and resting and after couple of weeks I felt much more like myself. Sleeping can be difficult though and if you have a reclining chair I would suggest sleeping in that for a few weeks. I think my biggest problem was getting out of bed. After 6 weeks I was pretty much back to normal bar heavy lifting. Its 6 months now, my scar is still very red looking but its the dissolvable stiches, they take ages and are like a thin rope down the middle of your chest. The cut is about 8 inches and then there are 2 more 1 inch horizontal cuts 4 inches below for the drainage tubes. Apart from the scar which is sore I can do everything I used too, lift the grandchildren, run upstairs, just back to normal. I would definately have this done again should the need arise and I wouldn't worry so much a second time!
I hope this has put your mind at rest, its major surgery but not really major pain.
Not sure where in the world you are which I guess would make a difference to the type of care you get, I am in the UK.
Good luck
Gail
adam42886 gail69270
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danno141 adam42886
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adam42886 danno141
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How long does the artifical valve/tube last or how often does it need replacing (if ever)?
danno141 adam42886
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sarahb1995 adam42886
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adam42886 sarahb1995
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danno141 adam42886
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kristi18883 adam42886
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I am in the UK and 44 years old,and just had surgery 2 weeks and one day ago, to replace my BAV with a mechanical valve, and repare a 5.1 cm aneurysm above my heart. There were some minor issues with my surgery and recovery, but I was out and home 6 days later, and I have been feeling pretty good. It's hard to keep me town. I have been for my INR levels once already, and will go agan today, and they are staying fairly level, with only minor adjustments needed so far.
I was resonably fit, mostly off the cigs, and on an e-cig (off that now too) and was a ligh drinker before.
The experience of surgery and recovery has been way better than I immagined, but I kept a positive outlook from the moment I was disgnosed. I was even up walking around the ward, days after my surgery, encouraging others to get welll too. Good luck with yours, and keep your chin up. x
deanna45779 adam42886
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I, too am from Canada. I had an aortic, abdominal aneurysm repair done last December. The surgery went very well. I was in ICU for a day and a half and I don't remember much about ICU other than my voice was very, very squeaky. My hospital stay was 7 days. Initially, there were dietary restrictions. For the first week or so I was on a liquid only diet. Now, I can eat whatever I choose. I coughed constantanly and my voice was very weak for about 3 months after the surgery. I do not have to take any medication. I am very grateful to have had the surgery. The aneurysm was 5.5 at the time of the repair. I wish you all the best and and am happy to answer any questions you may have.