Recovery time

I will be having my Aortic Valve ( bi-cuspid) and a few inches of the artery replaced in the next two weeks. I am a very fit, and other wise healty, 58 year old man. Never smoked, don't drink, not overweight.

What does the recovery time-line look like?

Rocky

[kenkeith]

There is  variance in recovery times. Some patients were back at work in five weeks others several months.  Your current health status may put you in the several weeks category.


For some insight, right after the surgery, you will be kept in ICU unit and closely monitored for around 24 hours to 48 hours. .

If there are no complications, you will leave the ICU  and be placed in a normal hospital room where you can recover. Typically you will spend around 5 to 7 days in the hospital after an aortic valve replacement surgery and subsequent to the discharged t you will have to take it easy for the next 4 to 6 weeks.

After about 4 to 6 weeks, you may return to your job provided it is not physically demanding and a sedentary one. Patients who work in physically hard jobs will have to take 8 weeks of rest. In addition, as you regain your strength, the doctor will allow you to start walking and doing other physical activities.

As stated total recovery time after aortic valve replacement surgery can be a few months, and it is only after this time period will you be able to return to your normal lifestyle.

Hope this provides an insight that helps you understand going forward. If you have any follow-up questions or comments you are welcome to respond.  Good luck and thanks for sharing...I'm going to a mitral valve operation so the subject is of interest to me.  Take care.