Day 7 recovery from open heart surgery to replace aortic val

[MattDixonTTF]

Thankyou for making these videos, I'm soon going to be having a heart valve replacement myself. I've never been so scared in my life, but seeing how much better things get in just a week make me feel alot better. thanks again

[scottsteph16]

@MattDixonTTF - Good luck to you!

[lesmess]

In hospital now, surgery tomorrow Monday, I only require my Aortic valve to be replaced (mechanical) my heart arteries were good. Hoping I will feel and look as well as you after a week. I have a good surgeon who has carried out over two hundred Aortic valve procedures. With god willing I will be in touch to let you know how I get on. Thanks for the inspiration and guidance to get me through this.

[scottsteph16]

@lesmess - Good luck to you!

[KidHuevotes]

God Bless you thank you for your story

[Monk2be]

I can totally sympathize with you! As a veteran of 11 open heart surgeries, 2 valve replacements, and 3 pacemaker implants.. I know what you have gone through, I'm just happy your doing so well!

[scottsteph16]

@Monk2be - Wow, your story is inspiring! Glad to see you are doing so good! Hang in there!

[Monk2be]

@scottsteph16 Life is a gift, if anything, lasting this long has taught me that. I assume your valve is a mechanical at your age, are you also on blood thinner?

[scottsteph16]

@Monk2be - I'm actually on a Tissue Valve due to my young age. All 3 cardiologists and both surgeons I met with suggested the tissue valve due to advancing technology and the likelihood that future valve replacements would be done through the groin and not via open heart.

[jcr4runner]

I've known since I was ten that I would need to have an aortic valve replacement due to a bicuspid valve which causes stenosis (narrowing and some leaking) in the aortic valve. I was told I would need to have that at around 50 or 60. Now I am 49 and found out yesterday that my doctor wants me to have valve replacement. The surgeon is from the Cleveland Clinic and he trained at George Washington University Hospital. So although he's young, he seems very knowledgeable.

[jcr4runner]

@jcr4runner First let me say that you are very brave to share something so personal on YouTube and I think I can handle 4 or 5 days of the hospital recovery you explain here. I likely will be able to do the procedure without splitting the sternum (minimally invasive) which is less painful and has a faster recovery obviously. The video is very helpful to me to feel better about the recover process.

[jcr4runner]

@jcr4runner Second, my biggest fears have to do with having my heart stopped and being put on machines. Just the idea of it scares me. I also am fearful about the longer recovery process. My hope is to be completely normal. I've never had any restriction and I jog, run, play softball etc.

The idea that tissue valves (which I hope to have) need to be replaced in 10 to 15 years also bothers me, but I don't want to have a mechanical valve and need to always be on blood thinners. It's a dilemma.

[scottsteph16]

@jcr4runner - Stopping your heart is the scariest part to think about but I would reassure myself that the procedure is very routine and statistically very safe! I agree that the Tissue valve is the much better option. My cardiologist assures me that today they are seeing many valves last 20-30 years.

[scottsteph16]

@jcr4runner - Make sure to ask if the "Minimally Invasive" is right for you? Although the recovery is much easier, my understanding is that the technique is still very new and not perfected. It is only being used on patients in their 90s who would not survive an open heart procedure. One of the complications they are having after the minimally invasive is that blood is getting in between the new valve and the arterial wall and the valve is sometimes shifting

[jcr4runner]

@scottsteph16 This would still mean open heart surgery, but not by slicing the sternum.

[scottsteph16]

@jcr4runner - I may be confused as to what you mean. My understanding of the "Minimally Invasive" technique for replacing the Valve is to go in through a Vein in the Groin and not through the Sternum (open heart). I may be wrong, but my understanding is also that the Minimally Invasive technique is not considered to be Open Heart but cracking open the sternum is considered open heart. These questions are definitely better suited for your cardiologist and surgeon.

[jcr4runner]

@scottsteph16 What I mean is that they can sometimes make an incision on the right side of the chest through the ribs, rather than cutting through the sternum. I will find out tomorrow, maybe.

[scottsteph16]

@jcr4runner - Oh ok! Yes, I have heard of this less invasive technique, but I thought it was for the Mitral Valve and not the Aortic Valve? Good luck tomorrow!

[scottsteph16]

@jcr4runner - Sounds like you are in great hands! Best of luck!

[jcr4runner]

@scottsteph16 Thanks for your videos and encouragement. How are you feeling now.? It's more than six months. Are you back to normal or better than normal?

[scottsteph16]

@jcr4runner - I'm doing great. It's tough to say if I am doing better now then before the surgery because I was not really symptomatic then and feeling great. The only symptom I had was getting lightheaded when I would be talking for 20 seconds or longer. That symptom is not happening any more. My sternum is still not completely healed yet. It's not painful ever and I can lift heavy weights but I can just tell that I still would not want to take a hard hit to the chest.

[susdubord]

Thank you so much for these videos. My husband is going to need an aortic valve replacement in the not too distant future and it's scared the hell out of me. We've just found out (at age 46) that he's got a bicuspid aortic valve and some aortic dilation. Do you mind sharing your doctor's name? We are in Upper Michigan and Chicago isn't too far a drive. Also, did you have any dilation of your aorta requiring replacement/repair or was it strictly your valve?

[scottsteph16]

@susdubord - Thanks for the message. My cardiologist is Jay Alexander of North Shore Cardiologists. He was just named one of chicago's top 50 doctors. He is also the Cardiologist for Mike Ditka and Dale Tallon (former blackhawks general manager). My surgeon was Patrick McCarthy at Northwestern University Hospital. He is widely considered one of the best heart surgeons.

[scottsteph16]

@susdubord - You may also want to consider the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota and the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio as they are considered the best facilities in the Country.

I did not have issues with my Aorta. My issue was just a leaky Aortic Valve.

Best of luck to you and your husband!

[lesmess]

My cardiologist called me today to tell me it's now time to have my Aortic valve replaced. I have to get my heart arteries checked next week in preparation for my op. your videos have helped with what to expect post op. thanks Les

[scottsteph16]

@lesmess - Best of luck to you! 

[jws2]

I watched all your video's, GREAT info! I just turned 50 and for my 50th birthday present I found out that my mitral valve is leaking bad enough to warrant surgury, what a present! The post op recovery is the only thing that I am not looking forword to. Thanks for the video's pal.

[scottsteph16]

@jws2 - It was my pleasure and I'm glad so many people have found them helpful. Best of luck to you in your surgery! I'm sure you'll do great afterwards.

[jws2]

@scottsteph16 I just had GREAT news today. First, my Mitral valve can be repaired with no replacement. Second is that it going to be done the minimally invasive way with no splitting the breast bone.  I still want to thank you for the video's. It's nice to see through the eyes of someone that has had it done instead of the doctor saying you'll be alright!

[lacannon100]

I am having surgery on Nov. the 15 I was wondering how do you feel now after a few months? Have you noticed any change from before you had it and now?

[scottsteph16]

@lacannon100 - I'm about 6 months post surgery and I feel great! My Cardio feels as good as new, although I wasn't really having any symptoms when they did the surgery but the few minor symptoms I was having are gone. The only lingering side-effect from the surgery is the fact that my Sternum still doesn't feel completely healed. It's not painful at all but it just feels like it's not as strong as it was before the surgery. You'll do great! Best of luck!

[dcottingham7]

I'm expecting to have a valve replacement shortly and.....naturally, I'm very anxious (scared). Your videos are easing my stress. Thanks so much.

[scottsteph16]

@dcottingham7 - Thank you. There's really nothing to be scared about. I mean sure it's a little uncomfortable for a few days but you're heart will be fixed up and you'll be feeling great in that regard! This surgery is so safe and routine now! Best of luck to you!

[oprego]

great man!!! I'm about to repair my mitral on next monday, open heart too. Couldn't find better information about recovery than your videos. So thankful you've shared. Hope you're doing realy well by now, Wish you the best, man! God bless you.

[marfee89]

I too am having the surgery in the next few weeks and I'm a little apprehensive. I have 5 sons youngest is just 2.Looking forward to having my energy back to the way I used to be.

Very good of you to share your experience with the rest of us who still have to go through the surgery.

Hope your recovery is going well. Good luck from Ireland.

[scottsteph16]

@marfee89 - You'll do fine in the surgery, but I think you will need some help looking after the 5 kids for a little while. Good luck to you!

[topwater1pro]

I am having this done in about a month. Your video's have put some ease to some of my anxiety. Awesome job, hope all is well

[scottsteph16]

@topwater1pro - Everything is great, thanks! Good luck to you!

[GymTrainerJOEY13]

Scott, I'll be seeing my Cardiologist in two day and we'll decide if we do it now. Thanks again for these videos. Could I ask if you would consider doing an update now that you are 4 months out? And show your scar please?

Thanks man. You are very helpful to many people.

[AJC7099]

Hey do you have any popping at all in your chest ? It's not a bad pop ..and it doesn't hurt ..kinda feels like a knuckle cracking .. just wonder if you ever felt it .

[scottsteph16]

@AJC7099 - I had a pop in my chest when I would stretch for years before the surgery. It was so loud that my wife could hear it. However, since the surgery I have not had it any more.

[johncombs2000]

I have aortic insufficiency. How do you know when it is time to do the surgery? How are you now?

[scottsteph16]

@johncombs2000 - That's tough to say. Please keep in mind that I am far from a Doctor and only a Doctor can say for sure when the surgery is necessary. However, my guess would be that the surgery is necessary when the heart/valve begins expanding or shrinking to the point where function will soon be lost and/or you are experiencing symptoms.

In my case, I was not really experiencing symptoms prior to my surgery but my valve was beginning to reach the point where it was losing function.

[GymTrainerJOEY13]

Scott, could I ask you, now that you are 3 months out, is your scar fading at all? I'm a bodybuilder and I'm just concerned about how my chest development will look with the scar. Thank you for taking the time to reply. It's very nice of you, and I appreciate the info buddy.

[scottsteph16]

@GymTrainerJOEY13 - It is starting to fade. The redness is starting to fade. Ultimately, I think I will be left with a white/translucent line but I would guess it will take 9 months to a year to get to that point. There are definitely things you can do to care for your scar post-surgery to make it heal faster and more completely. My mother-in-law is an occupational therapist and she got me some sticky gel strips that burn patients use to put on the scar for up to 23 hours per day and also...

[scottsteph16]

before bed I take a Vitamin E liquid capsule and puncture it and squeeze the Vitamin E on my scar and use a hard plastic hand held massager to rub it onto the scar. The massager helps to break down the scar tissue and the Vitamin E helps the tissue heal better. I haven't been the best about doing this every single night but if I were competing in bodybuilding competitions I would. Best of luck to you and i hope this helps.

[GymTrainerJOEY13]

I have to tell you how very much I appreciate you filming these videos. I am nearing the time when I will need this surgery and I've had much anxiety, more about the recovery time and potential scar than anything. Thank you for showing your journey with this. it has helped me greatly and I have a much more positive attitude about it now. My sincere thanks!

[scottsteph16]

@GymTrainerJOEY13 - It was my pleasure and I'm glad these videos have been able to help people like you see what the recovery looks like. It's not so bad!

[AJC7099]

Well had my surgery last Wednesday ..and just got home today thank the lord for that ...I have to say your videos are pretty right on ..day 2 was the worst..but as soon as the drain tubes came out it got better and better each day ...if I could give any advice to anyone it would be ....walk , walk ,walk as much as it may be uncomfortable the first day it soon makes you feel a lot better .. I do have to say the worst part for me was the breathing tube .... Well once again thanks for the videos

[scottsteph16]

@AJC7099 - Welcome to the other side of the Mountain!

[tommysimmonsjr]

Hi, thanks so much. My mom is having this done on Wednesday 8-17. I hope you are doing well, and I thank you for being so thoughtful of others and sharing your experiences.

[scottsteph16]

@tommysimmonsjr - I'm doing great. Best of luck to your Mom!

[tommysimmonsjr]

@scottsteph16 glad to hear it! did you have mechanical or tissue valve?

[scottsteph16]

@tommysimmonsjr - Tissue Valve from a cow.

[mitchttcs]

Hey, thank you so much for making these videos. I am currently 17 and going to have an aortic valve replacement soon. My 1st opinion cardiologist told me i need it but also recommended to a 2nd. It's basically 99% i need a replacement, sadly. Your videos have helped me so much and believe it or not, i am scared of getting my blood taken at a pediatrician(where they prick your finger), imagine what i am feeling now but your strength and getting through this have helped me believe i can too!!! :)

[scottsteph16]

@mitchttcs - Hey, if it has to be done then it has to be done and it's for the best. You'll do fine because you are so young and strong. There's really nothing to be scared of. Yeah, the recovery can be a little uncomfortable for the first few days but they have you on so many strong pain meds that you really just feel more out of it than in pain. You'll be amazed at how quickly you bounce back. Good Luck!

[AJC7099]

I Have to say thank you for doing this ...and hope all is well and good with you...I go in this coming Wednesday 8/10/11 to have my Aortic valve replaced and possibly having my Aortic root repaired ...I. am scared but I think that is normal lol ..your video has helped me a lot thank you

[scottsteph16]

@AJC7099 Thank you for the kind words. You will do fine! Good luck!

[leemajors1]

Thanks for posting these, I'll be going in for this operation shortly and your videos are incredibly helpful in giving me a sense of what's in store for me. Cheers.

[scottsteph16]

@leemajors1 - you'll do great! It's not as bad as you might think going into it. You'll notice significant progress and improvement every day which is quite encouraging.

[scottsteph16]

Thank you and good luck to you!

[petethebeatkiller]

Amazing work feller! Cant believe there's so few comments on these videos. Good to see you bounce back man, keep up the good work

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[ptatnu]

THanks for being willing to post your experience. This is a great teaching tool for many types of health professionals. DocG