What is recovery like after Mitral Valve Surgery

Hi recovery not to bad took me 3 weeks all good now

Thank you. I appreciate your time.

Hi @lindalee88, I had a mitral valve repair in 2019.
I was in the hospital for two weeks after surgery with some complications, mainly a buildup of fluid. There wasn't much pain though. Knee surgery for severed ligaments was way worse.
I did have a driving and weight restriction. I was told not to lift more than 10 pounds, but since I'm petite I restricted myself to three pounds.
I'm glad I did it. My husband has Alzheimer's and I'm his caregiver. I thought if I postponed the surgery we would crash and burn at the same time.
I never was short of breath or had swollen ankles before the surgery. I chose to have it sooner vs later.
Take care and try to stay positive!

Thank you for reaching out.
When you say fluid buildup, was it fluid in your lungs? That’s what my concern is because I have COPD and I’m concerned that when the surgery is over, they try to remove me from the breathing machine and my lungs won’t take over so I’m really scared to death because of that Did they go in through the side or did they do open-heart surgery and crack open your sternum because that’s what they have to do with me they cannot repair my valve. They have to replace it.

Hi @lindalee88,
The fluid buildup was in the pericardial sac, not my lungs. I had to get it drained. It's a common complication.
I did have full-on open heart surgery. My sternum was cracked open.
You will be monitored very closely for any complications.
Maybe ask your doctor what precautions s/he will take with respect to your lungs.
When you go home, don't over exert yourself. Have support in place if you can.
They did get me walking a day or two after surgery.

Oh my… that’s what they are going to do to me they are going to crack open my sternum. My mitral valve cannot be repaired. It must be replaced. When they cracked open your sternum were you in pain when you woke up and did you get pain meds ?

I promise you it is not as bad as it sounds. You will have ache and soreness, but no pain. I was intensive care 5 days with 4 Tylenol every 4 hours. I came home to an empty house (I live alone) and it was fine. You just cannot lift, twist or bend for awhile. My shoulder surgery was 10x worse. Just cook some meals ahead of time and be prepared to rest. Good luck!

Thank you so much. That makes me feel better. May I ask why you were in IC for 5 days?

I also live alone …

After heart surgery they put you in IC.