1. < Heart & Blood Health

Terrified: Soon to have open heart surgery, so many questions

Posted by mrsjaxx727 @mrsjaxx727, Nov 13, 2019

Soon to have open heart surgery and i am terrified aboit how much pain there will be of how long the ventalstor will be on me im terrified of it all..has anyone had this surgery and tell me expect or am i over thinking it ?

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mikeyingst | @mikeyingst | Sep 7, 2023
In reply to @alwayspositive92 "I had emergency triple bypass open-heart surgery one year ago. It was no picnic but it..." + (show)
@alwayspositive92

I had emergency triple bypass open-heart surgery one year ago. It was no picnic but it saved my life. I had an excellent medical team at a world class hospital for this type of surgery. To your point re: post-surgery pain; yes there was pain but it was kept tolerable and manageable by my after care ICU team. I walked one day after surgery and was discharged on the fourth day. Now fully recovered and grateful. All the best.

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Thank you

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mikeyingst | @mikeyingst | Sep 7, 2023
In reply to @pumaguy79 "Why have the Clinic Doctors recommended surgery ? Was it based solely on a an Angiogram..." + (show)
@pumaguy79

Why have the Clinic Doctors recommended surgery ? Was it based solely on a an
Angiogram ? There's a lot of literature out there that questions the need/benefits.
Instead of worrying, please do some research of your own. Maybe second opinion?

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My aortic valve is getting to big, if I don’t have surgery it will rupture and I will die, so not having surgery is not an option.

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1 reply
mikeyingst | @mikeyingst | Sep 7, 2023
In reply to @davej "No you will not be on a ventilator. I had my aeortic valve replaced in 6/23..." + (show)
@davej

No you will not be on a ventilator. I had my aeortic valve replaced in 6/23 got out of surgery moved to ICU were the tubes were removed. I woke up not to long after that I was walking in the hall. GOOD LUCK keep your positive attitude everything will be ok.

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I hope so

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pumaguy79 | @pumaguy79 | Sep 8, 2023
In reply to @mikeyingst "My aortic valve is getting to big, if I don’t have surgery it will rupture and..." + (show)
@mikeyingst

My aortic valve is getting to big, if I don’t have surgery it will rupture and I will die, so not having surgery is not an option.

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I totally understand. When the plumbing needs a fix, there's little choice and lots of chances for improvement.

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bjfritts | @bjfritts | Mar 14 5:24pm

I'm 74 and facing open heart surgery to replace my aortic valve and repair an ascending aortic aneurysm. Has anyone had both done. I too am terrified.

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4 replies
jlharsh | @jlharsh | Mar 15 6:25pm
In reply to @bjfritts "I'm 74 and facing open heart surgery to replace my aortic valve and repair an ascending..." + (show)
@bjfritts

I'm 74 and facing open heart surgery to replace my aortic valve and repair an ascending aortic aneurysm. Has anyone had both done. I too am terrified.

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That is a lot. What are you most concerned about right now?

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1 reply
shelby29 | @shelby29 | Mar 15 6:42pm

Had triple bypass one year ago at Mayo. Yes, it was scary, but staff and facility was fabulous. 12 weeks of rehab, twice weekly and that staff was wonderful as well. I am doing great and happy I put that pause in my life to have surgery and recoup! Good luck to you.

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bjfritts | @bjfritts | Mar 16 8:25am
In reply to @jlharsh "That is a lot. What are you most concerned about right now?" + (show)
@jlharsh

That is a lot. What are you most concerned about right now?

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my age

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1 reply
mikaylar | @mikaylar | Mar 16 9:04am
In reply to @bjfritts "my age" + (show)
@bjfritts

my age

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I was 74 when I had my open heart surgery. 5 days in IUC, came home to an empty house (I live alone) and did just fine. It was so much easier than my shoulder surgery 2 years prior. There is ache and soreness but not real pain. Of course, there are limitation like no lifting, but you will be fine promise. When I was in ICU there was a 90 year old woman waiting for surgery. Good luck!

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lilymarie | @lilymarie | Mar 16 9:13am
In reply to @bjfritts "I'm 74 and facing open heart surgery to replace my aortic valve and repair an ascending..." + (show)
@bjfritts

I'm 74 and facing open heart surgery to replace my aortic valve and repair an ascending aortic aneurysm. Has anyone had both done. I too am terrified.

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My heart goes out to you, this kind of news is very scary. Everyone responds differently to these kinds of situations. My thing is to learn everything I need to know about the surgery--I too fear aortic valve to need repair but know nothing about aortic aneurysm. I read and also watch surgeons on Youtube to help me understand what is going on in my heart (2 cardioembolic strokes, afib, ablation and now, post afib and SVT and the valves not doing well and most recent told stage 1/2 of CHF;
Keep us updated...do you have a date? Last year I was told in ER that I, perhaps, had major heart damage as it appeared I had a heart attack (Troponin levels thru the day topped 800--149ng/L); I do understand the feeling of being told I had a heart attack and that I would have to stay in hospital to perform an open heart surgery. Thank God the tests that they did before the surgery proved there was NO heart damage. Miracle? I don't know. But, my cardiologist says that having high troponin is NOT always correct in proving it was in fact a heart attack. Then, he told me, "you did NOT have a heart attack" 3 days later. What an emotional roller coaster!
So, I wish you all the best and hope you find some support here in this forum. Keep sharing!--Lilymarie (73)

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