Jose Villarreal - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

1133 days ago

Deena Z, Susan Lynn, Dylan Kempers and 6 others reacted to this

I am four plus weeks post op and feeling great from AVR. Was given the green light by my surgeon to resume all activity, I have been back to work for 2 weeks. ...Read more

I am four plus weeks post op and feeling great from AVR. Was given the green light by my surgeon to resume all activity, I have been back to work for 2 weeks. So the next step is to return to driving range next week and work towards a full round, God is good and so is Dr Doolabh and UT Southwestern.

Deena Z Amazing journey toggling a life-death operation and coming out so strong, Jose. Godspeed!

Susan Lynn Great news, Jose! Enjoy getting back to everything you love! ❤

Mike Dotson Fantastic. The hard part is now in your rearview. Best wishes for your continued recovery and a retu ... Read more

Mike Dotson Fantastic. The hard part is now in your rearview. Best wishes for your continued recovery and a return to the links and work.

God is good indeed. So glad your recovery is going so well.

Ginny Turner Great update and glad to hear you’re doing so well!

Steve Miller Excellent news! Great to hear the recovery is going well.

Jose Villarrealposted an update

1218 days ago

Jay Heagerty, Phyllis Petersen reacted to this

Hi all! Love the posts you all have and decided to join in. I am 57 years old and was diagnosed earlier this year with severe aortic stenosis. I have early ...Read more

Hi all! Love the posts you all have and decided to join in. I am 57 years old and was diagnosed earlier this year with severe aortic stenosis. I have early symptoms so am planning surgery for september 8. I am a physician but I am wanting to hear from the patient perspective. I am mulling over which kind of valve to have done. I am leaning towards the Edwards bio prosthetic valve that my surgeon uses. He also gave me the option of the On-X valve. Question for those who have mechanical valves. Would love to hear fraom any of you who have these valves and how life is going? Would you have done anything different? Life on blood thinners? Any clicking etc. Thanks in advance for your insight.

Lisa Coombe I have a mechanical valve that was put in 7 weeks ago, I chose it because I am hoping I won’t need ... Read more

Lisa Coombe I have a mechanical valve that was put in 7 weeks ago, I chose it because I am hoping I won’t need anymore surgeries. I’m only 42 so it was such a big thing when I found out last year that I needed surgery for severe aortic stenosis, I’m March I met my boyfriend who has had 5 heart surgeries in his life since he was a week old. My valve is a st judes

Welcome to our community Dr. Villarreal. Glad you joined us. I received the Edwards bio for my Aortic ... Read more

Welcome to our community Dr. Villarreal. Glad you joined us. I received the Edwards bio for my Aortic Valve Replacement in November 2019 at USC by Dr. Vaughn Starnes and up to now life is going well, Praise God. I’m sure there will be other heart warriors here around your age that will tell you about their experience. May you make the right decision for you and God bless you. Keep us posted.

Rita Savelis I've had 2 mechanical valves (aortic and mitral) for 6 years (I was 54 when I had OHS). The clicking ... Read more

Rita Savelis I've had 2 mechanical valves (aortic and mitral) for 6 years (I was 54 when I had OHS). The clicking is really not a problem. If a room is very very quiet, I can sometimes hear it. In general, most people hear their hearts beating much louder after OHS no matter what kind of valve they have. Having to take anticoagulants is a drag at first and it takes awhile to get used to them and get your INR stabilised. After that, it's just another pill you take. I was freaked out at first and then got on with it. I didn't have much choice in picking valves because my heart was messed up from cancer treatment radiation and a 2nd surgery wasn't a good idea. But the decision as to what valve to pick is very hard for everyone. Ultimately whatever choice you make is personal and singular and it will be right for you. No choice is perfect. Having to have OHS is not fun. But then you get over it and on with your life. Wishing you the best.

Susan Lynn Welcome, Dr. Villarreal! I can't speak to your valve choice, but I had minimally-invasive surgery fo ... Read more

Susan Lynn Welcome, Dr. Villarreal! I can't speak to your valve choice, but I had minimally-invasive surgery for my mitral valve repair. I think you'll be pleased with the quicker recovery time and minimal scarring. Just be prepared for the fatigue that goes with OHS. Although I whole-heartedly (pun intended) recommend this form of entry, the recovery for your heart is the same. It was easy for me to forget that when I wasn't staring at a sternotomy scar every day.

Please be assured, you're going through the worst part of the process now - waiting! I'll be very interested to read your post-op feedback about OHS. It's always great to get the perspective of someone in the medical community. We'll be here cheering for you and awaiting your good news! You've got this!

Marie Myers I chose a tissue valve 4 years ago to avoid Coumadin at age 63 .. But the idea on “how long will th ... Read more

Marie Myers I chose a tissue valve 4 years ago to avoid Coumadin at age 63 .. But the idea on “how long will this valve last” does run through my head periodically...

Rose Madura If I would have gotten a mechanical valve, I would have gone with a Onx valve. I ended up going with ... Read more

Rose Madura If I would have gotten a mechanical valve, I would have gone with a Onx valve. I ended up going with a tissue val w and got an Edwards. Definitely a difficult decision. I was 59 at the time if that helps and am 63 now

Jose Villarreal Thanks so much for all your comments . Its refreshing there is so much support out there, You all are ... Read more

Jose Villarreal Thanks so much for all your comments . Its refreshing there is so much support out there, You all are awesome. I will keep you posted .