Post septum myectomy: How did you feel 9 weeks after surgery?

@bocellibonjovi71 I am about 10 weeks out and just turned a corner in week 9. I had been suffering debilitating pain in my back and chest (away from the incision) and no medication helped. Although from a mechanical cardiac standpoint I am "fixed," I began to question my decision to have surgery because the daily pain was nearly too much and showed no signs of relief. Then, overnight, that pain disappeared, leaving me with the more manageable aches and pains of recovery. I'm still sleeping in a recliner, but have started PT to get my arms, back, and chest flexible again. My 9 weeks was a slog. One thing I've "learned" from reading about people's experiences is that everyone's is slightly different, but on the bell curve of recovery, 6-8 weeks seems to be about the standard amount of time before one really starts to feel better. There are obviously exceptions -- most people who post are at the tail ends of the curves -- but try to hang in there and also be sure to advocate for yourself re pain, etc. I hope that you feel better soon.

@bocellibonjovi71 I'm about 4 months post-myectomy and mitral valve repair; age 73. The first month was not too bad for me, but I realized I should have tried harder to clear my work schedule 100% for those first 4 weeks or so, as I really just needed to focus on initial post-op steps -- literally: walking more and more -- and simply resting. Even though mine is a desk job (self-employed, semi-retired), every phone call and follow-up email, for example, was somewhat tiring and challenging in those first weeks.

That got better fast after the first month, and I started 12 weeks of cardiac rehab after two months. The rehab is still ongoing, and going well. The pain at the incision site was never too bad for me (though I certainly hugged the heart pillow that first month). That pain was completely gone by about 2-1/2 or 3 months.

One day at a time bb71; yes, it gets better and better.

Hi there, I am 18 weeks post op septal myectomy and aortic valve replacement. I turned the corner at about 14 weeks. I am still in rehab but still have an arrhythmia which is being evaluated

@jsl4801 I developed arrhythmia about 3 weeks after my septal myectomy. Dizziness and giddiness when moving around, never when sitting or laying. Syncope, wore Holter for a month, pressed a button each time felt dizzy, another Syncope, report from Holter showed arrhythmia. I was given Buddy, my ICD. Your situation is unique to you, but my story may be useful. Our lucky hearts underwent quite a bit of trauma.

@walkinggirl Thanks, I am seeing the EP guy next week. Might need an ablation and/or pacemaker/defib

I had a septal myectomy in 01/2022. Also replaced damaged mitral valve and had a LAA put in . Coming out of surgery had total heart block. Pacemaker installed a week later while I was still in the ICU. Long recovery. 1 yr of rehab. Still not 100% but no syncope. Short of breath due to deconditioning which was partly due to continued Metoprolol making me lethargic and fear of the heart failing in some way.

Hi @margiewinslow, it looks like you are new to Mayo Clinic Connect, so welcome!
May I ask where your septal myectomy was performed?
It sounds like you had a pretty rough time afterwards...that's too bad. We are all different and we all have different recoveries. Thank goodness you were still in the hospital when the heart block happened.

Being in good physical condition can help you live your best life, but it sounds like you have a couple of remaining issues that keep you from being able to develop a plan to get some exercise.
How often do you see your cardiologist? Have you shared your concerns with them?

I am 9 weeks post tomorrow 6.19.26 and I don't have any pre surgery symptoms, but still pain from surgery, esp now that I am trying to increase recovery exercise. I was denied cardiac rehab due to the condition being genetic but I found some good stuff on You Tube and am walking twice a day and doing pool walking daily as weather permits. I think I progressing ok but have very little confidence in my sternal strength and worry constantly about7 messing it up. Hope you are doing well.

@jsl4801 I am 9 weeks tomorrow, and am starting to have more PVCs, which I have always had but they are worse now, They did change my BP med to metoprolol in hosital after surgery, and think I might need a higher dose. But I am going to research a lot due to what I hear about side effects of that particular drug

@cash298 I am so glad to read that you are exercising! I am surprised that you were denied cardio rehab, after all, you had heart surgery! Was it your insurance company that denied it? If so, it might help if your doctor can intervene with the professional opinion that it is essential to your full recovery. My Medicare Advantage Plan covered cardio rehab with no copay, so I am truly surprised to read that you were denied that important post-op activity. Your concern about your sternal strength would be a good topic to bring up with your doctor, he/she is monitoring your recovery and knows your condition. The other topic, the pain you are experiencing, should also be discussed, the doctor may have guidelines to that end concerning exercising. We are all different in our physical shape before surgery and our rate of recovery. If you have a local Y, there may be post-op exercise classes available with your doctor's OK.