Jackie's Journal

Robert Miller  I heard of rare cases where someone with a mechanical valve did undergo another surgery to replace the mechanical valve with a tissue valve because of the clicking. However, it seems the majority of the people get used to it. My surgeon explained me that this is similar to a clicking clock on the wall. Initially, it disturbs you but after a while, your brain blends it out. I compare it to the constant ringing I have in my ears. Most of the time I don't hear it even when it's quiet but every so often or when I listen for it I can hear it. Having said that, depending on your age you might want to go with a tissue valve anyways. Plus, they first try to repair your valve rather than replace it.  

Jeff Williams  I may be the loudest clicker in history, lol.  You can hear me from across a room and my kids can hear me across the house.  The first few weeks I really noticed it at night, but that's probably because of everything else my body was going through.  I've gotten completely used to it and so has my wife.  It takes time, but it soon fades to the background and you don't notice it.

I have met several others with a mechanical valve and it is basically silent so you don't know what you'll get.  


I wouldn't change my decision to go with the mechanical though.

Matthew Banta  Jackie where are you having yours done?  I’m doing my 4/1 at Columbia… opting for the tissue valve if they can’t do the repair or Ross