Jen's Guestbook

Hi Jen, 

I hope your surgery went well. I too had a bicuspid valve that I was never aware of until I was 65 years old. I had open heart surgery Sept of 2021. I ended up having a pacemaker that I didn’t know about until I woke up from surgery. They told me that I probably would see much better than having my heart do 20% and the pacemaker doing 80%of the work. 3 years later things have reversed and the pacemaker is only doing 2% of the work and my heart has healed and now is doing the 98% part. 

It takes a lot of work to recover after open heart surgery. But a positive attitude, patience with yourself and you will be good to go. I wish you the very best recovery. You’ve got this!

Hi Jen. I too was born with a bicuspid aortic valve and ended with an ascending aortic aneurysm. I had surgery August 2017 at UW medical heart Institute and did the bio-prosthetic approach. I was 48 when I had this done. The operation went well and recovery was not as bad as I anticipated. I was tired (no lie) but you build strength quicker than you think. Unfortunately for me after 7 1/2 yrs my valve is deteriorating again. I just had a surgical consult on Monday and I too am considering the Ross procedure w/ Dr. C. Burke at UW medical again. I just turned 56 a few days ago and like you am not looking forward to another open heart surgery. I can totally relate to some of the feelings you may be having. However I want an active life as well. So if I can offer any words of encouragement to you let me say you are young and healthy and you can totally do this. I’m sure your surgical team is amazing and they will do an amazing job for you! As a Christian woman who knows what you are going through I just want you to know I will be praying that God gives you peace and a sense of calmness as you approach your surgery on Monday. I am excited to see just how amazing you are going to do on the other side of this surgery. I hope to gain strength for myself as I follow you journey. Blessings to you and your journey!

Shannon Gordon

Best wishes for a successful surgery, Jen! I lead a very active life too, and am feeling like I have plenty of energy one month post-op! I hope and pray that you will too. Best advice I received-don't sit around after surgery. Get out and walk every day!

Good luck Jen on your surgery. I was diagnosed with severe stenosis of the Aorta valve it being bicuspid in 2023.
It took me a year to get brave enough to have the surgery on January 2024. 
I am doing well but wish my energy was better. 

Good Luck!  I’m sure you will feel so much better. I had my bicuspid aortic valve replaced TVAR. 

I wasn’t diagnosed until I hit 40 and and echo showed I had bicuspid valve.  Let us know how you did?