Jeff's Guestbook

Hi Jeff. I also had a "flail" leaflet in my mitral valve, with resulting severe regurgitation. My doctor repaired mine and it had 0% leak afterwards. So hopefully you won't need any artificial valve anything, they'll just clean up that bad leaflet and you'll be all good. I had a very good recovery. I went in Tuesday morning and was home for dinner Friday. My pain after the first 2 days was managed on Tylenol alone. The industrial-strength antibiotics made me sensitive to sun, so I got a bad rash from sitting outside a bit that first weekend (I didn't realize at first what it was from, but I figured out later that must have been it) - so avoid sitting in the sun at first. Just in case there is any sun in Florida. I was 54 last summer when I had it done; you're younger, so you'll do great. Your surgery date is coming up, so I hope you're feeling all good. Hopefully your ear issue is over. I had my angiogram/catheterization a few weeks before my surgery (through my wrist), and they found no coronary arteries needed fixing. That procedure took like 20 minutes, but recovery was several hours after as they made sure the hole in my wrist clotted up adequately.

I have had symptoms that I've considered "my normal" for recent years. My leak got worse slowly. I think doctor's were following guidelines to watch and wait with me, so I hope that I can still benefit from a repair. I love that some many are reaching out to each other under this common circumstances. Thanks for welcoming me!

Welcome, Jeff. Part of my surgery in early May included mitral valve repair & I can attest that I'm certainly feeling closer to normal again. As for what to take to the hospital, my plan was to take as little as possible so I didn't have lots to take home. Toothcare supplies, hair care supplies, my phone & clothes to wear home was enough. Best wishes!