Adam Rabiner - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

2522 days ago

Pat Bluemel, Kelly Stoll, Matthew Russo and 5 others reacted to this

Today marks one year since my aortic valve replacement surgery. I am blessed that the procedure went well and my recovery was pretty quick. For those of you ...Read more

Today marks one year since my aortic valve replacement surgery. I am blessed that the procedure went well and my recovery was pretty quick. For those of you who are about to undergo OHS, keep positive, keep moving and the results will pay off!! It took me about 7 months before I was comfortable trying a push-up, and now I am doing 120 a day and I feel stronger than ever. I am thankful that I chose the mechanical valve as I woule like to avoid another AVR surgery in my lifetime if possible. The warfarin is not a big deal, trust me, and my INR was 1.6 on my last test, right in line for the On-X valve and its target of 1.5-2.0.

Rose Madura Glad you are doing so well. Happy Anniversary. These anniversary posts from OHS patients really insp ... Read more

Rose Madura Glad you are doing so well. Happy Anniversary. These anniversary posts from OHS patients really inspire me. Thanks for taking the time.

Adam Rabiner Thank you all. My friend who is a doctor made me feel more comfortable before my surgery by telling ... Read more

Adam Rabiner Thank you all. My friend who is a doctor made me feel more comfortable before my surgery by telling me that he would rather have valve replacement surgery than hip or knee replacement surgery as there are less complications. He may have just been making that up, but it did help with the nerves.

Fatema Yaqubi Congrats on your one year anniversary, successful story like yours is so inspiring for others thank y ... Read more

Fatema Yaqubi Congrats on your one year anniversary, successful story like yours is so inspiring for others thank you for updating. I’m one week post surgery and everyday I can see the change, feeling stronger than the day before.

Adam Rabinerposted an update

2807 days ago

Phyllis Petersen, Barbara Laurie, Robert McElrath and 1 other reacted to this

I am now 11 weeks post-op and got the clean bill of health after a follow up appointment with my surgeon last week. The sternum is completely healed and I was ...Read more

I am now 11 weeks post-op and got the clean bill of health after a follow up appointment with my surgeon last week. The sternum is completely healed and I was cleared of any restrictions. I actually just came back from a conference in Las Vegas. It is cool to be able to travel outside of Canada for the first time in 2 years now that I can get emergency travel medical insurance again. For those of you needing AVR surgery, I can say I am extremely happy that I choose the On-X mechanical valve as the target INR is 1.5-2.0 after 3 months, so there is less warfarin and less chance of bleeding. Plus the clicking noise which was loud for the first few weeks has almost disappeared.

Brian Jensen anyone have a good reference for a surgeon at Mayo Clinic Rochester, MN. Also, why is this facility ... Read more

Brian Jensen anyone have a good reference for a surgeon at Mayo Clinic Rochester, MN. Also, why is this facility not listed on Adams website ? Thanks

Adam Rabinerposted a journal

2851 days ago

Sue Sanchez Grela, Civita Fahey, pam williams and 1 other reacted to this

I had my AVR five weeks ago, last night. I have been back at work since last Wednesday (a desk job) and other than tenderness in my sternum and at the incision, ...Read more

I had my AVR five weeks ago, last night. I have been back at work since last Wednesday (a desk job) and other than tenderness in my sternum and at the incision, I am feeling very well. The symptoms I had pre-op -- constant tiredness, shortness of breath, numbness on my left side -- are all gone. I did a 10k walk with my wife last weekend, albeit at a nice, slow pace, and had no issues. I did have palpitations and a pretty high heart rate for the first 3-4 weeks after surgery, but that has stopped over the past 10 days. I am very thankful that things are working out so well.

Robert Osmachenko That's amazing! You are back to work and you did a 10K walk, wow!
How has your post op care been? T ... Read more

Robert Osmachenko That's amazing! You are back to work and you did a 10K walk, wow!
How has your post op care been? That is, has the surgeon mapped out a monitoring plan for you?
My surgery was in Kelowna and it hasn't been good for post op care. As a matter of fact I am not going back. Our local Internist has been super in helping me solve problems and adjusting my flight path (so to speak).
Nice meeting you and be well.

Adam Rabiner Robert - sorry for the delayed reply and thanks for your comments. I should log in more often. I am ... Read more

Adam Rabiner Robert - sorry for the delayed reply and thanks for your comments. I should log in more often. I am doing exercise on my own and have decided not to partake in a formal rehab program. I did attend one session last week at Liberation Fitness in North Vancouver (affiliated with Lions Gate Hospital for its cardio rehab program) where they taught me some nice stretches and strengthening exercises for my chest and shoulders, which are still a bit tight.

My post op care has been good. In addition to having an awesome surgeon (Joel Price) I have a good cardiologist (Simon Rabkin - VGH) who is very attentive and my family doctor has been great at helping me manage my warfarin and INR levels. Best of luck in your recovery.