Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
What do we expect with Aortic Valve Replacement
This forum is for questions and support regarding heart issues such as: Angina, Angioplasty, Arrhythmia, Bypass Surgery, Cardiomyopathy, Coronary Artery Disease, Defibrillator, Heart Attack, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Mitral Valve Prolapse, Pacemaker, PAD, Stenosis, Stress Tests.
What do we expect with Aortic Valve Replacement
by mandi, Aug 02, 2001 12:00AM
My father is 61 and going in for Aortic Valve Replacement surgery next month. After an angiogram the doctors have told him that his heart is fine, the arteries are clear but the valve does need to be replaced. After some careful investigation he has made the decision to go with the animal valve over the mechanical. The question is what should I and the rest of my family be expecting after the surgery? How long is the re-coup period? I understand he will be in the hospital for a week and then after that what happens? Do you go back to living a normal life? My father is a very active man (tennis, golf)- will he be able to enjoy these things again? I am very nervous for him and if there is any good word you can give I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks in advance.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-M.D.-CRC, Aug 02, 2001 12:00AM
Dear mandi,
In general most people go back to their level of activity before surgery and in fact usually are able to do much more. The recovery period for open heart surgery varies depending on age and level of health prior to surgery. In general there is a one week recovery period in the hospital and then about 2-3 weeks at home before returning to light work (eg. desk job). After about 6-8 weeks all previous activities can be resumed. It may be several months until recovery is 100% especially for older individuals. Hope this helps. His surgeon can give more specific recovery times for him.
In general most people go back to their level of activity before surgery and in fact usually are able to do much more. The recovery period for open heart surgery varies depending on age and level of health prior to surgery. In general there is a one week recovery period in the hospital and then about 2-3 weeks at home before returning to light work (eg. desk job). After about 6-8 weeks all previous activities can be resumed. It may be several months until recovery is 100% especially for older individuals. Hope this helps. His surgeon can give more specific recovery times for him.
Related discussions
-
Aortic Valve Replacement - Surgery RecoveryPosted By Hank Eyring on April 24, 1999 at 18:11:38 Gre...[more]
-
Re: Questions about recovery from valve replacementPosted By Michael L. on June 17, 1999 at 12:36:11 Hello...[more]
-
Recovery from Valve replacement (1 replies):Hi I've recently found I have a bicuspid aorta and a va...[more]
-
Re: Aortic Valve Replacement - Surgery RecoveryPosted By Hank Eyring on April 24, 1999 at 18:11:38 Gre...[more]
-
Mital and Aortic Valve Replacement (37 replies):My partner is scheduled to have a double valve replaceme...[more]
-
Aorta Valve Replacement (36 replies):I have read many things about valves but have not heard...[more]
-
Aortic valve replacement recovery time (3 replies):I am 84 years old and am to have my aortic valve replace...[more]
-
Questions about recovery from valve replacementPosted By Michael L. on June 17, 1999 at 12:36:11 Hello...[more]
-
Is aortic valve replacement considered complex?I realize that complex heart surgeries should be don...[more]
I'm not a doctor, just want to put my two cents in. My husband's aunt just recently had 3 valves replaced -- all with mechanical valves. She had had trouble for years and then finally things got bad enough that she ended up having the surgery -- was almost at an emergency state -- she went in for the heart cath prior to and they wouldn't let her leave the hospital -- they did the surgery the day after the heart cath.
Anyway -- she was in the hospital for 4 days and then went to rehab for 5-6 days where they worked with her to get her strength back.
She is basically doing very well after her surgery -- has some problems with no appetite and low energy level, but that is improving every day. Also, for a while, she had a problem with fluid retention, but I understand that is pretty normal.
As far as restrictions, she has been told that she has none (other than the normal post-operative ones of no lifting over 10 pounds, no driving for a short time, etc.). The doctors have actually told her to quit babying herself and get out there and do things.
She is a bit younger than your dad -- she is is her mid-late 50's, but I would imagine the prognosis would be similar, especially with only 1 valve being replaced as opposed to the three that my husband's aunt had. Of course, everyone is different and everyone reacts to surgery differently. These are just things that I have learned and faced.
I hope this information helps -- best wishes and luck to you and your family.