Hi all,

I am hoping some of you can assist with some practical suggestions regarding the recovery from Aortic Valve Replacement Surgery for my 70yold mother.

She is due to have the operation within a couple of weeks and is anxious about managing her recovery.

Would anyone here who has had open heart surgery (or knows someone who has) please answer some of her questions if you can. It would be GREATLY appreciated.

Q1. Will she be able to wear a bra?

Q2. Will she be able to pull a t-shirt over her head?

Q3. Will she be able to manage giving herself her diabetic injections?

Q4. If anyone here who has had surgery also has diabetes, how did the surgery affect the diabetes?

I know these sound trivial things but they are really worrying her and I would like to ease her mind.

Thanks very much for your help.

Cheers,

Lyndylou.

Hi Lyndylou,
My mom had an aortic valve replacement on Aug. 3rd in Boston, MA. She is 88 years old & has had congestive heart failure for 4 years that we know of. We changed docotrs & her new MD said for her to have the surgery. She had a catheritization first & it showed no blockages. They even checked her teeth & had to remove 3 of them. Yes, she still has her own teeth. She was released on August 7th to a rehab hospital for 7-14 days. She is doing fantastic! I do know that she has a high tolerance to pain. She says that her chest doesn't hurt...only "a little" when she coughs. After a week at the rehab, she has started wearing her bra & she said it doesn't bother her.
The one thing that is bothering her is the swelling of her legs. When she went into the hospital, she weighed 104 lbs. She's 4'9''. After surgery, she was 125. The nurses said that fluids are pumped into you during & after surgery. I guess this goes with it. I think my mom thinks this is going to dissappear immediately. After 1 week at the rehab, the Boston doctor gave instructions to take away certain meds, Lasix (diuretic) being one of them. But the doctor from the rehab has kept her on some of the Lasix. She should be coming home (she lives with my DH & me) sometime this week & has an appointment with her cardiologist on the 27th of Aug. I can't wait to see him to hear what he says. My dad is in a nursing home with Alzheimer's & I'm an only child running back & forth to both of them.
I have to say that my mom has no other issues going on medically, so this was in her favor for surgery. Previously to having this surgery, she had fallen here while getting up in the middle of the nite to go to the bathroom. She fractured her right shoulder & says that has given her more problems than the heart surgery!! That's because it's her right shoulder & she is righty & can't put any pressure on her right arm.
By the way, she had a tissue valve replacement & does not have to take coumadin.
Good luck with your mom. I'm sure all will come out fine.
Clara (aka nananuzz)

Hi Clara,

Thanks very much for your reply. It is very good to hear. Mum's surgery has now been delayed six months due to waiting lists which is very frustrating but we have only known about her condition for two years - not four like your mom.

You obviously have your hands full with your mom and dad - thank you for taking the time to reply to this thread and all the very best.

Kindest regards,

Lynda (lyndylou)

After I read my post again I looked at the original post. My reply was not necessary.

Hi Clara,

Thanks very much for your reply. It is very good to hear. Mum's surgery has now been delayed six months due to waiting lists which is very frustrating but we have only known about her condition for two years - not four like your mom.

You obviously have your hands full with your mom and dad - thank you for taking the time to reply to this thread and all the very best.

Kindest regards,

Lynda (lyndylou)

According to a renown heart surgeon at the Mayo Clinic who has done many valve operations has written and commented that he often sees a patient that has waited too long for a valve replacement/repair.

He states if the valve insufficiency (regurg or stenosis) is serious enough for an operation, waiting too long will run the risk that the heart will enlarge encumbering a successful operation. I was hospitalized with congested heart failure and I had severe mitral valve regurgitation with an enlarged heart and an operation was not option (wasn't life or death). Recent tests indicate my MVR has reduced to moderate and medication has reduced an enlarged heart. Although I feel fine, an operation may be in my future. Not a pleasant thought!

While waiting for surgery my mum has developed kidney and urinary tract problems. She is now considered a catergory one patient and was booked in for last week only to have surgery cancelled as she had another UTI. They gave her very strong antibiotics, reiterated the extreme importance of the operation and how essential it was to have it asap and then sent her home. The worst bit is that she was not rescheduled for this week.

We have been told she could drop dead at any time so this is very hard for us. I am not ready to lose my mum.

How can they let her wait?

Sorry all, just venting. It's been a long wait.

Cheers,

Lyndylou.

Lindylou,

Sorry to hear the predictament. If I remember correctly (infection after bowel resection) from many years ago, it takes up to 20 days for the best results. Maybe less for an emergency.

The pills are very large in size and can cause dizziness and fainting. Care should be taken when standing from a sitting or lying down position. Strong is a good word for it. Probably could knock down a horse!

Hi kenkeith,

Thanks for your reply. Last week they told her that hers was an emergency situation. This week we have a nurses strike. I will hope that as 20 days are optimal, this delay is a good thing.

Thank you so much for your good wishes.

Kindest regards,

Lyndylou.