andrew laymon - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

2161 days ago

So, I have a question for anyone out there that has gone through their surgery. Has anyone experienced a dramatic change in their taste of food? 1 week out ...Read more

So, I have a question for anyone out there that has gone through their surgery. Has anyone experienced a dramatic change in their taste of food? 1 week out and foods that I really liked, just don't taste good

Rita Savelis Yeah. That happens. OHS messes with a lot of things....and it takes some time to get back to normal. ... Read more

Rita Savelis Yeah. That happens. OHS messes with a lot of things....and it takes some time to get back to normal. Take care.

andrew laymon Thank you for answer. I'm really hoping it returns to normal sooner or later or I'm going be on a gre ... Read more

andrew laymon Thank you for answer. I'm really hoping it returns to normal sooner or later or I'm going be on a great weight loss program.

Dan Baltazor Yep, My appetite was horrible for a couple weeks and I lost too much weight as well. It does come ba ... Read more

Dan Baltazor Yep, My appetite was horrible for a couple weeks and I lost too much weight as well. It does come back. Hang in there.

Tracy Fallu My appetite was minimal for about 2 weeks. It slowly returned with some food aversions. Eventually al ... Read more

Tracy Fallu My appetite was minimal for about 2 weeks. It slowly returned with some food aversions. Eventually all my favorites remained.

Bradley Dunn After I got to where I was not anxious after surgery, I wanted nothing but sex. Now 3 months later, I ... Read more

Bradley Dunn After I got to where I was not anxious after surgery, I wanted nothing but sex. Now 3 months later, I can't stop eating. I am a skinny guy but I have gained 16lbs since rehab started.

Your taste will come back.

andrew laymon Thank you everyone. My taste is slowly recovering. At 10 days post op I have lost around 20 lbs. My f ... Read more

andrew laymon Thank you everyone. My taste is slowly recovering. At 10 days post op I have lost around 20 lbs. My first check up puts me as recovering exceptionally.

Tracy Fallu Great news Andrew.

andrew laymon I did find out that a lot of my problems were due to being placed on glucophage to try to keep my blo ... Read more

andrew laymon I did find out that a lot of my problems were due to being placed on glucophage to try to keep my blood sugar below 100. Once I stopped taking it, my blood glucose levels have remained 70-90 and my taste is back.

andrew laymonposted an update

2163 days ago

Rob Sparling, Donghua Cai reacted to this

Ok, made it. 5 days post up and hopefully going home today. Ended up with some new diagnoses afterwards, which can happen and everyone is hoping will resolves ...Read more

Ok, made it. 5 days post up and hopefully going home today. Ended up with some new diagnoses afterwards, which can happen and everyone is hoping will resolves after a few weeks.

Dan Baltazor Praying for you!! Welcome to recovery! Thanks for the update.

Rob Sparling Andrew, glad to hear things went well at Beaumont! Welcome to the recovery side. Start walking as s ... Read more

Rob Sparling Andrew, glad to hear things went well at Beaumont! Welcome to the recovery side. Start walking as soon as you can and don’t stop!

Susan Lynn Glad surgery is behind you!! You'll see steady progress at home! All the best, Andrew! 😆

Tracy Fallu Glad surgery is behind you and you are this side of recovery. Remember to give yourself grace as you ... Read more

Tracy Fallu Glad surgery is behind you and you are this side of recovery. Remember to give yourself grace as you body heals.
Dr Sakwa was also my surgeon. An amazing man and team.

andrew laymon I was very impressed with Dr Sakwa. I saw everyday during my stay except Saturday when I was dischar ... Read more

andrew laymon I was very impressed with Dr Sakwa. I saw everyday during my stay except Saturday when I was discharged.

andrew laymonposted an update

2163 days ago

Ok, made it. 5 days post up and hopefully to it home today. Ended up with some new diagnoses afterwards, which can happen and everyone is hoping will resolves ...Read more

Ok, made it. 5 days post up and hopefully to it home today. Ended up with some new diagnoses afterwards, which can happen and everyone is hoping will resolves after a few weeks.

Louanna Miller Great to hear you are on the healing side of surgery. Enjoy getting some good rest at home.

andrew laymon Thank you

andrew laymonposted an update

2169 days ago

Ok, it's go time. We're up a d moving at the hotel, getting ready to head to Beaumont Medical Center. Prep at 5:45, surgery at 7. I'm much more worried about ...Read more

Ok, it's go time. We're up a d moving at the hotel, getting ready to head to Beaumont Medical Center. Prep at 5:45, surgery at 7. I'm much more worried about my family than me. I keep telling them, my part is easy, I go to sleep and wake up. They have to sit around, nerves on edge and wait for 6 hours to find out how it turns out.

Derek Schilling Best wishes Andrew! You got this.

Susan Lynn You'll do just fine, Andrew! Your family members will have the biggest smiles on their faces when ... Read more

Susan Lynn You'll do just fine, Andrew! Your family members will have the biggest smiles on their faces when you wake up! ❤

Dan Baltazor Prayers for you today and your family Andrew. See you on the recovery side!!

Paul Howarth Best of luck on the other side of this.
Praying all goes well today and the days ahead.

Mark Jaycox Andrew, I was in your shoes last week. When we left the hotel and checked in my family was right with ... Read more

Mark Jaycox Andrew, I was in your shoes last week. When we left the hotel and checked in my family was right with me. The surgeon and anathesiologist stopped by and assured everyone they would keep in contact with my wife the entire time which they did. I woke up 7 hours later and everything was good. Good luck!

andrew laymonposted an update

2171 days ago

Finished my prep testing today. Surgery Monday at 0700. It's getting real.

Debbie Kelly Hi Andrew, I am not sure if I read one of your posts correctly, but if I did, why were you not aTAVR ... Read more

Debbie Kelly Hi Andrew, I am not sure if I read one of your posts correctly, but if I did, why were you not aTAVR candidate? My cardiologist is going to see if I am a candidate, as well. I did not realize until two weeks ago that TAVR is being tested on the no to low risk patients.
You are in my thoughts and prayers, Andrew. Stay strong!

Susan Lynn Andrew - Good luck next week. I think you'll be happy with the mini-thoracotomy entry. I had my mit ... Read more

Susan Lynn Andrew - Good luck next week. I think you'll be happy with the mini-thoracotomy entry. I had my mitral valve repair done through my right side - it was virtually painless and the recovery was easy. You're going to do just great! Please keep us posted on your progress.

andrew laymon Debbie, Edwards Life Sciences denied the TAVR. I'm low risk, but I also have a bicuspid aortic valve. ... Read more

andrew laymon Debbie, Edwards Life Sciences denied the TAVR. I'm low risk, but I also have a bicuspid aortic valve. The early trials finished in May and they started long term studies in August for younger low risk bicuspid patients. The issue was that ELS wanted their trial patients to have Medicare or Medicaid so they could follow them easier, that is how they explained it to me. I'm not quite sure how younger low risk patient ends up with Medicare or Medicaid

andrew laymon Thank you for the votes of confidence.

Debbie Kelly Thank you, Andrew. My next call will be to the TAVR clinic and ask if they take private insurance, an ... Read more

Debbie Kelly Thank you, Andrew. My next call will be to the TAVR clinic and ask if they take private insurance, and call my insurance to see if they pay for TAVR.
I wish you the very best. You will be in my prayers.

Dan Baltazor You got this Andrew. Praying for Peace for you and swift safe surgery. We'll be waiting to hear fro ... Read more

Dan Baltazor You got this Andrew. Praying for Peace for you and swift safe surgery. We'll be waiting to hear from you on the other side.

andrew laymonposted a journal

2179 days ago

Dan Baltazor reacted to this

Dec 10th is getting here fast. I have 1 week of work left before I'm off on medical leave. I'm getting a little more nervous about it. You would think after ...Read more

Dec 10th is getting here fast. I have 1 week of work left before I'm off on medical leave. I'm getting a little more nervous about it. You would think after all the people I have taken care of in the ER that have had valve replacement that it would seem like a walk in the park.

Dan Baltazor It probably helps to have the inside knowledge to help yourself prepare but it’s still a tough walk ... Read more

Dan Baltazor It probably helps to have the inside knowledge to help yourself prepare but it’s still a tough walk regardless. Get your support team around you and know there is a ton of support here too. Good luck and Peace to you.

Jill McDonald Hi Andrew, I am going on Dec 7th. I am having mitral valve repair. It is definitely a surreal exp ... Read more

Jill McDonald Hi Andrew, I am going on Dec 7th. I am having mitral valve repair. It is definitely a surreal experience waiting for this surgery. I plan to try meditate and bring relaxation music. Some suggested bringing pictures and a favorite blanket for some home comforts.

Joy Rose Hi Andrew, I am having a mitral and tricuspid valve repair on 3 December, a week before you, only a c ... Read more

Joy Rose Hi Andrew, I am having a mitral and tricuspid valve repair on 3 December, a week before you, only a couple of days away. A week ago I was pretty nervous but now resigned to the fact and now can't wait until Sunday night to go into hospital for surgery the next morning. We will both be home by Xmas so something to really look forward to. I know you're a week later than me, but will keep in touch to let you know how we get on. Keep on keeping on, this site has kept me calm. Get Adam Picks book, if you haven't already, I loved the part when he explained what he went through. Right from the heart 💖

Paul Howarth I'm 4 days post opp.
I was scared about the pain and discomfort after the procedure.
For me and like ... Read more

Paul Howarth I'm 4 days post opp.
I was scared about the pain and discomfort after the procedure.
For me and like others here, my fears were invented in my mind, not knowing reality.
Now it's over, I would think a knee replac meant or hip replacement would hurt much more.
Not nearly as bad as I thought it would be. Keep busy, wndb1-2 nights before surrender your fears to your surgery team. It's shocking how easy this is for them. They leave nothing to chance however,
They analyze every aspect of your blood, body, ect and come up with a winning plan just for you!
Your going to be a winner!

Dan Vechiola My wife works in the medical field with patients every day. She says it so much different when you a ... Read more

Dan Vechiola My wife works in the medical field with patients every day. She says it so much different when you are on the other side.

andrew laymon Thanks everyone for the uplifting comments. I have my family around me, I'll have a tablet with and I ... Read more

andrew laymon Thanks everyone for the uplifting comments. I have my family around me, I'll have a tablet with and I'll be reading the Green Hills of Africa for my recovery. I really want to get back to work and helping people who need it in the ER.