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Open Heart Surgery

Posted , 30 users are following.

linda90335
linda90335

2 weeks ago I had extensive tests done on my heart and was told I would need open heart surgery to repair hole they have found. I never thought at this time of life I would need to have an operation like this. Has anyone had any heart problems or had an operation? If so please let me know how you are doing.

thank you

linda

3 likes, 58 replies

58 Replies

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  • Scotgal
    Scotgal linda90335

    Posted

    Hi Linda,

    I live in the US, am 61 and have know for quite a number of years that I have a

    hole in my heart as well.  I also have hypertension, but my cardiologist has never

    referred me for surgery.  I don't know why, because I have been on disability for

    a number of years.  I 've heard that many people get surgery later in life and do

    fine.  I'm sure you will do just fine.

    • linda90335
      linda90335 Scotgal

      Posted

      Hi scotgal thank you for you reassuring advice. I often thought is ut possible to live without having surgery. Part of me wants to refuse. I am seeing my cardio on Tuesday I will ask him. You have given me hopr.

      Stay well..

  • Valkyrie
    Valkyrie linda90335

    Posted

    I had an Aortic valve replacement. Honestly, the worst thing about the whole experience was that I woke up in ICU with a terrible back ache but couldnt put two words together to tell anyone because of the medications i was on. Find someone who can rub your back with something nice every day. When i said this to the doctor he said it was because of the hard operating table. Also, after i got home and was on medication for a few weeks, i knew when i was getting better because i suddenly realised what drivel i had been watch on the tv in the daytime. Nothing to be scared of really except the back soreness. Oh, i was 57 at the time.
    • derek76
      derek76 Valkyrie

      Posted

      I think that aches and pains must be quite common after a long operation.

      I had a numbness in my left buttock that went to the middle of my back. It was way over a year before it went completely. I was concerned prior to the operation about the effect it might have on my left hip that has arthritis. It was OK but my right hip joint and muscles were painful. I went to physio but they initially said that the pain was from my back. This was different from the muscular pain I was geting before I stopped taking statins.

    • Valkyrie
      Valkyrie derek76

      Posted

      yes, wouldnt it be great if hospitals has an in house masseus for such things. ha ha
    • derek76
      derek76 Valkyrie

      Posted

      I asked the NHS physio if hydrotherapy would help and he said that it would but he would have to ask his boss. He returned saying that his boss agreed but for it to be of benefit I wouuld need it three timers a week and they only allow one session.
    • nikolay21066
      nikolay21066 Valkyrie

      Posted

      Hi, Valkyrie,

      Why did you have an aortic valve replacement? Did you have stenosis or aortic regurgitation ( a leaking aortic valve) ?I have the second one. Doctors have been telling me for about 10  years that I badly need aortic replacement, but I haven't found a patient with the same diagnosis who has survived the operation and lives a normal life after it. Can you help me if you know such people or can think of some good advice?

    • derek76
      derek76 nikolay21066

      Posted

      If they have been telling you for ten years it cannot be regarded as serious. My stenosis gave a life expectamcy of two years without the operation.  
    • nikolay21066
      nikolay21066 derek76

      Posted

      I wsh you a long happy  life. How can I find people after aortic valve replacement  

      with regurgitation?

    • derek76
      derek76 nikolay21066

      Posted

      With stenosis I also had regurgitation. I don't understand your problem is it is a sucessful procedure whatever the reason for it. Whoever told you otherwise?? If all with leaking valves patients died they would not be doing the operation. Have you considered the alternative procedure transcatheter aortic valve replacement but that is usually for people to old and weak for the proper operation.

      I was told at 78 that I was too fit for it!

    • chantelle525981
      chantelle525981 nikolay21066

      Posted

      Hi,

      I am 23 years old and have a CHD called Shones Complex. I have had 12 hearts surgeries (6 or 7 of them were open heart surgery)

      I have a mechanical aortic and mechanical mitral valve, and a leaking aortic valve, as well as other problems.

      I am awaiting another open heart surgery to replace both valves again.

  • hal63587
    hal63587 linda90335

    Posted

    Hi Linda,

    With any invasive surgery there is always deemed risk. One has to weigh this risk with outcomes both short and longterm. Outcomes being, if I don't have this procedure completed, what will the outcome be?  If I go ahead and have the procedure completed what will the outcome be? In most cases, obviously it is recommended that these sort of issues with the heart be addressed.  In that case you will find the procedure itself to be rather straight forward in this time of modern medicine. These procedure are completed in the thousands throughout the world each day.  Importantly, make sure all of your concerns and questions are answered by your specialist in good time.  This will help you metally prepare yourself. feel comfortable with your Surgeon, and most of all have a good strong positive attitude to get it completed and get on with your life which, after-all you will do anyway.

    best wishes.

    Hal.

  • jen09071
    jen09071 linda90335

    Posted

    Hi Linda I had open heart surgery last march for mitral valve repair, I thought of be scared but I've never felt so calm In all my life I had all my family around me and that's what kept me relaxed I had a real sense of calm, very strange! I won't lie I did feel awful pain on my recovery but it's just a pain you go through and not everyone feels the same ! Some people were looking much better than me but they did say being 29 my bones were still very hard and can be more painful when your younger . But the recovery is gradual and patience is the key ! Being a pro dancer it did take me a little longer to get back to work as my fitness was no where near where it needed to be. But I'm back now . I struggle with heart rate as that's really fast so am going to be making another visit soon . Remember everyone feels different through this so don't beat yourself up if your having a bad day it can leave you slightly frustrated if your used to being active doctors these days are amazing and the nurses will be like angels to you!! I'm having some of the wires taken out soon as they are very prominent under my skin but most people don't notice them! You'll be great if you ever want to ask anything let me know xx
    • derek76
      derek76 jen09071

      Posted

      How long had you been dancing with your faulty valve?

      I met an ex dancer at the warfarin clinic who had evidently been born with a faulty aortic valve and completed her career before it was found. 

      Like you I was 100% calm before the operation unlike when going to the dentists. It’s a bit like being on a plane where your life is in someone else’s hands.

      I was surprised to have no pain after it. There was morphine in my drip when I came round but after that they just offered me paracetamol that I refused but they insisted I take. They only bad part was when first being taken out of bed by two Physios and walked down a long corridor, rested and then taken up two flights of stairs with a seat on each landing with a ten minute rest before the return journey. When I got back to bed I was gasping for breath and sweat was pouring off me.

      Is your fast heart rate due to atrial fibrillation? About 30% of patients get it post op. but in most cases it rights itself in a few days. Mine didn't and they did a cardioversion that failed and I had to wait three months for another one that worked. However two later unconnected procedures stimulated my vagus nerve and started t up again.

  • Guest
    Guest linda90335

    Posted

    Hi Linda, must have come as such a shock to you, I consider myself lucky that I had my open heart surgery when I was a baby and did not know any better, however that was back in the 70's so if they could do that then just imagine how experienced they are now.  It really is incredible what they can do.  I will need a valve replacement one day (not due to a hole in the heart but a pulmonary valve issue) and they are still putting me off until they really feel it's necessary (as valves don't last forever - yet!).  Whilst the prospect of open heart surgery must be extremely daunting and scary and I obviously can't help with advice on the recovery period, I really do believe you are in very safe hands.  My grandpa also had a triple bypass in his 70's or 80's, he still gets out and about by himself, it really is truly amazing what they can do
    • derek76
      derek76 Guest

      Posted

      The lady who does my annual echocardiogram says that the tissue valves now last much longer than the estimated 12/15 years. She thinks that soon they will last as long as the mechanical ones.
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