What is the recovery like following septal myectomy?

Posted by quinn @quinn, Mar 17, 2016

What is the recovery like following septal myectomy?

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I have been following along and it seems that the recovery varies among patients. I had my septal myectomy in July, 2022 and I think I had a fast recovery. Note that before surgery I walked 3 miles a day (slower and slower after a medical event in February), could ride a bike for 20 miles and I was/still am a 3X a week gym attendee. I did not experience real pain, had some Tylenol, did nap much while in the hospital. Movement was difficult because you have to pretend you are in a cylinder. A week after surgery I was walking up and down our 110' driveway slowly with my walker, soon we were walking around our 0.4 mile block several times a day. It took a while before there was an opening at cardio rehab, by the time I was scheduled, it was 8 weeks after surgery. My cardiologist wanted me going two weeks after. The gym owners, who once worked there as PTs, outlined a program for me to follow. By the time I went to cardio rehab, I was walking 3.1 mph on a treadmill for 40 minutes with no problems. I was able to do a 5K walk with my walking club about 6 weeks after. I did have two complications, the first was blood clots (Eliquis) and then arrhythmia (Pacemaker/defibrillator installed). So, in summary, it will depend on your individual ability, whether you were otherwise in shape before surgery, your pain status, etc. Of course, you are anxious about the upcoming event, you will be in the best hands! I wish you a very, very speedy and pain free recovery.

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I am exactly one month today out from my septal myectomy at Mayo. I was extremely pleased with every facet of care from the superb staff at Mayo. They were extremely encouraging which I found very helpful during those first days after surgery. I am also blessed with a very supportive wife and I could not have made it without her. Besides the expected fatigue my only other real challenge was couple of days of nausea-?anesthesia side effect vs opioids. I was pleasantly surprised that plain Tylenol adequately controlled my pain after just a couple of days post-op. I had latent obstruction with significant post-prandial symptoms and immediately saw an improvement in those symptoms after just a couple of days after returning to eating. I have noted a slightly increased heart rate above my pre-surgery baseline (about 10 beats per minute both daytime and during sleep). I am on the exact same medication as prior to surgery and completely avoiding caffeine and staying well hydrated. I am curious if others have noted similar increased heart rate following surgery- and, if so, how long did it last? I don’t think it is anything worrisome. I have also thankfully not had any atrial fibrillation following surgery - as I know is fairly common. I do have a follow up with my local cardiologist in about a month and I’m sure she would work me in sooner if necessary.

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I’ll be three weeks out tomorrow, and yesterday I took two walks on our treadmill—the first was 1.1 miles in 30 minutes, and the second was the same pace, but just 20 minutes. When I was dismissed from Mayo on the 14th, I had to use oxygen when I walked and slept. I no longer need it when I’m awake, but a oximetry test last weekend indicated I still need it when sleeping. I’m using Tylenol yet for pain in my back & shoulders as well as muscle relaxers, but it’s slowly improving, and I’m hopeful that this pain will dissipate in the next week or two???

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@pam753

I’m moving around fairly easily after my surgery last Friday morning. Although the first few days were tough, and I still need oxygen with exertion; I’m really amazed at how quickly I have made progress! Much more quickly than with joint replacements!! Each day I’m stronger, experiencing less pain, and breathing more easily. Today I used only a cane when walking in the hall and basically no support in my room. It’s easy to overdo and my energy flags early in the evening (7-8 pm,) but I’m grateful for an army of family, church family, and friends who have been and continue pray for me! God is good to me.

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Im glad you are doing well!! Im six weeks out and met with Cardio Rehab yesterday. I’ll be starting that 3X’s a week either next week or week after for about 6 weeks. Other than my incision still stinging and feeling the wires, Im feeling pretty good. Keep positive and walking… its the best thing!!

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@colleenyoung

Hi @lony, please note that I removed your attached file including your medical records and personal identifying information. Mayo Clinic Connect is an online community where you can get and give support and share information with fellow patients.

I believe you may be looking for expert medical advice from Mayo Clinic. To seek a second opinion of treating hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with septal myectomy, please go to this website to submit an online request http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63

A septal myectomy is an open-heart surgery. A surgeon removes part of the thickened, overgrown septum between the lower heart chambers called the ventricles. Here is more information from Mayo Clinic:
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hypertrophic-cardiomyopathy/symptoms-causes/syc-20350198

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Thanks

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Hello @lony. In addition to the information Colleen shared, I moved your discussion and combined it with an existing discussion on what to expect with a septal myectomy. I did this so you could meet the many members who have discussed this surgery as a result of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy - @pam753, @christine270, and @bxr227 shared their experiences and questions and may be able to answer some questions you may have.

@lony, if you are comfortable sharing, were you diagnosed with HCM and are you looking at a septal myectomy as a result?

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@lony

Since 2015, I am suffering from septal myectomy disease.Where and how to treat this disease is best?

Jump to this post

Hi @lony, please note that I removed your attached file including your medical records and personal identifying information. Mayo Clinic Connect is an online community where you can get and give support and share information with fellow patients.

I believe you may be looking for expert medical advice from Mayo Clinic. To seek a second opinion of treating hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with septal myectomy, please go to this website to submit an online request http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63

A septal myectomy is an open-heart surgery. A surgeon removes part of the thickened, overgrown septum between the lower heart chambers called the ventricles. Here is more information from Mayo Clinic:
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hypertrophic-cardiomyopathy/symptoms-causes/syc-20350198

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Since 2015, I am suffering from septal myectomy disease.Where and how to treat this disease is best?

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@pam753

I’m moving around fairly easily after my surgery last Friday morning. Although the first few days were tough, and I still need oxygen with exertion; I’m really amazed at how quickly I have made progress! Much more quickly than with joint replacements!! Each day I’m stronger, experiencing less pain, and breathing more easily. Today I used only a cane when walking in the hall and basically no support in my room. It’s easy to overdo and my energy flags early in the evening (7-8 pm,) but I’m grateful for an army of family, church family, and friends who have been and continue pray for me! God is good to me.

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It’s so great to hear you are doing so well!
I know how tough this is, and you sound like a tough cookie! Plus, you know Who is in control and His grace is with you. I wanted to give you time to adjust to post op before bombarding you with questions about how you’re doing. I’m so grateful you’re doing so well. Praise God🙏🏼
I am bringing you some virtual flowers 💐 some comfy sweat pants 👖 and soft pillows ☁️

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I’m moving around fairly easily after my surgery last Friday morning. Although the first few days were tough, and I still need oxygen with exertion; I’m really amazed at how quickly I have made progress! Much more quickly than with joint replacements!! Each day I’m stronger, experiencing less pain, and breathing more easily. Today I used only a cane when walking in the hall and basically no support in my room. It’s easy to overdo and my energy flags early in the evening (7-8 pm,) but I’m grateful for an army of family, church family, and friends who have been and continue pray for me! God is good to me.

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