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What can I expect with open heart surgery for mitral valve repair?

Heart & Blood Health | Last Active: Jan 10, 2022 | Replies (5)
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@meh0001

surgery isn't terrible in terms of pain, the chest takes around 6 months to be somewhat normal and about a year to feel "normal"; deep breaths will fill odd for a about 8 months (feels like its flicking the inside of your chest) mostly due to they puncture a fluid sack aroundf the heart that takes a while to heal. a little thing most people wont talk about is sometimes you will get a post surgery depression I had a bout with it as well, just know it is normal. Even robin williams had to battle with it so you know it is very normal thing. chicagonow.com/open-heart/2014/08/robin-williams-death-open-heart-surgery-and-depression/

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Replies to "surgery isn't terrible in terms of pain, the chest takes around 6 months to be somewhat..."
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jan 6, 2022

Meh0001, I'm glad you brought this up. The emotional impact of heart surgery is important to keep in mind and good advice for @egoaltered
You may be interested in this related discussion:
- Heart Disease: Let’s Talk About the Emotional Side https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/heart-disease-lets-talk-about-the-emotional-side/

Fellow members @yoanne @frande @rd4610 @100154 @pha2340840 @thankful @jeanern01 can also share their experiences with open heart surgery, valve repair and what to expect.

@egoaltered, when will you be having surgery?
@jays1, is the medication helping so far?

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