Maggie's Journal

Update post surgery 8.5months: I had echo and follow up with my cardiologist today. My cardiologist told me my heart size( left atrium) is back to normal size. Heart muscles are very strong. EF is normal. New mitral valve functions beautifully ( looks natural). I only take aspirin now and no other medications. Dr Bolling did an amazing job. I strongly recommends him if you need mitral valve surgery especially in the area next to Michigan. While he’ll be retired at the time when I need my next surgery. I’ll need to find a great surgeon then. Best wishes to you all.

Hello, All,

I haven't been on the site for about two months. At New Year's Eve 2025, I'd like to update you my status. Hopefully that'll help other heart warriors with similar heart problems. Today is my 7 month anniversary post surgery. I had my visit with surgeon Dr Bolling this month and the visit was short. EKG and check look very well. Basically after the visit, they handed over the future care all to my cardiologist. They asked me to wear heart rate monitor for two weeks to make sure I have no Afib before they discontinue my warfarin medication. I'm waiting for the official result. But I know I don't have AFib post surgery. I feel great and can run faster and longer. For people who have valve issue and Afib, I think surgery is the right option. For my case, it’s definitely the right decision.

Wishing you all a wonderful year 2025 - full of happiness and love. Wishing you and your health and prosperity in the new year!

Today is my 4 month anniversary - I took today off from work. After I completed my cardio rehab class at 9am and I took my orange theory class with highest intensity of all out running in my record to celebrate my special day🤗.

I still have 8 cardiac rehab sessions left. While I’m very much fully recovered - feel younger and high energy. Surgery gives my beautiful life back and even better than before.

I’m still taking warfarin and baby aspirin currently. My next visit with Dr Bolling is in two months. I think I can stop Warfarin then. Maze procedure sounds work well. For people with tissue valve, do we need to take baby aspirin for the rest of life?

For heart friends here who are going to have surgery, I know surgery sounds scary, but it’s so worthwhile. Best wishes to you all.

Three months post surgery: I feel great. I and my family traveled to Chicago for Labor Day weekend and we walked a lot every day. No issue at all. Heart rate at my all out running effort is actually lower vs before. My resting heart rate was strange - first month post surgery was ok ( below 70), then it was elevated to approximately 80 for about 1.5months. Finally it becomes normal now ( approximately 65). I also now notice and feel my heartbeat more stronger especially at beginning of my sleep time ( I barely noticed my heartbeats pre surgery). 

How often do you see your cardiologist after surgery (once per year?)? When tissue valve approaches 10 years, will surgeon follow up patient on the status? Or all up to cardiologist to decide the timing of 2nd surgery?

Two months post surgery:

I have been back to work full time for two weeks, 4 weeks back to orange theory and also started cardio rehab two weeks ago. Currently I have orange theory class daily + three cardio rehab sessions per week. My energy is back to the level of pre-surgery. Intensity of my workout is now also back to the level before. Overall, I feel my body bounced back very well. On the first week of orange theory class, I couldn't do push up and plank at all. Now strength is back and no issue any more.

my incision heals well and I use silicone patches on them in order to minimize the scar. No pain or numbness feeling any more. Cough and sneeze no longer an issue for the chest.

While my resting heart rate is still higher vs pre-surgery. I used to have RHR 60 and now it's about 79 ( about 20 higher). My cardiologist told me that's normal since my heart is still healing. it'll drop sometime later.

I'm still taking blood thinner. My doctor asked me to take 5 month blood thinner post surgery. If no Afib by then, I can stop it . So far sounds maze procedure functions well - keep my figures crossed

My journey of OHS makes me realize our body is a miracle
! Best wishes to all of you.

First orange theory class post surgery and it’s great. It also makes me feel closer to new normal. I’ll continue that routine from now on - my cardiac rehab class won’t be available until 7/18th. I decided not to wait to go back my orange theory class. For strength today, I only used 5 pounds. For rowing, jogging and stationary biking, I didn’t know how far I could go without cardiac rehab assessment. Basically I just listened to my body. Class has HR displaced on the big screen. I can slow down or speed up as my body wants.

Happy July 4th! I had my follow up post surgery visit yesterday ( approximately 5 weeks). They did echo, EKG and XR chest checks and everything sounds fine ( no surprise). Doctor lifted all the limitations of exercise ( jogging, lifting, going back to gym). I’ll also start cardiac rehabilitation ASAP. I switched to sleep on bed first time post surgery starting yesterday as well.

NP also told me I can go back to work if I want. Most of my incision (3/4) has been completely healed. However, upper part of my incision (1/4 of my incision) still has scab. I still have pain on my upper chest sometimes when I move and when I wake up in the morning, not strong pain and no need to take pain medication, but I can feel it. NP told me not an issue. Should the pain go away normally after one month？What do you use to minimize the scar?

They asked me to increase intensity of my exercise starting from now on in order for my heart to remodel ( my enlarged left atrium). Instead of walking, NP asked me to start jogging. I don’t want to overload my heart for the risk of Afib. I’ll wait my first cardiac rehabilitation class to get a feeling of my safe max HR to start my jogging and restart my orange theory class.

Can enlarged atrium be back to normal size half year or more time after valve surgery? Any experience, please let me know. Thanks

Two weeks post surgery: my recovery is great so far. I walked average 15k steps  daily this week and 18k steps yesterday. I found a new walking place - a trail in our city park ( walking distance to my house). The trail has two ups and downs. The end of trail is a beach of water lake. One round is approx 4miles - I walk to the beach, take a break and complete my stretch movements and then on my way back. It's perfect for my walk in the morning

I don’t need to take water pill any more. For pain management, I only take Tylenol before bedtime. No cough any more. I can sleep on left or right - no issue. Most of time I sleep on my back ( my favorite position) just use other two positions as needed base.

I can move around and take care of myself. Life somewhat goes back to normal except no heavy lifting and jogging yet.

My heart rate and rhythm are also great. Time flies by. My most difficult time post surgery was the first two days. After that, I feel better every day.

Wish everyone a speedy recovery!

Day 11 post surgery: my husband will go back to work starting tomorrow and I feel confident that I can take care of myself independently at home now.

Total steps today is 16k. I also walked in a park this morning. I increased my walking pace a little bit today but keep my HR below 90. If over, I just simply slowed down. I can now open door, cabinet, refrigerator, go up/down stairs, and take shower all by myself. My incision and medicine still remind me the surgery recently, but I don’t feel it’s limitations on daily life that much any more. I also added a few movements of upper body with 3 pounds of weight to my routine to strength my arm muscles a little bit.

For the ones with Afib post surgery, when did your first AFib occur ( how many days after surgery) ? I hate AFib. I know my maze procedure doesn’t necessarily prevent me from this risk during recovery. Any sharing on your Afib experience during the recovery is appreciated.

Keep walking and it makes us stronger day by day!

Day 10 post surgery, my recovery continues to be very good.

My total steps today is 15k ( three times walking outside). I can go upstairs to 2nd floor normally. Now I only need my heart pillow at home when I cough. I also become quite familiar with adjustment buttons of my e-recliner and know which one and how to get myself best position for sleeping and rest well. I strongly recommend having e-recliner for OHS. My energy level is better, but still not at the level I'd like to be.

Two friends had short visits with me today. It's nice to reconnect with my friends.

Feel recovery this week is full time job - hanging on there! One step at a time

Today is my one week anniversary for surgery. My voice is finally back to normal. My voice was strange in the past whole week - no pain, just not my old voice. It’s probably from breath tube which I didn’t remember too much ( it was removed when I waked up)

I got majority of my steps today outside ( 4 times today). Total steps today is 10799. I walked around a pond close to my house. Each round approx half miles. I don’t have any goal for walking. Go with my body.

My recovery has been very well so far. I also sleep well. The only thing bother me a little bit is caugh at night. I coughed three times last night. Coughing at laying down was uncomfortable to me and I had to sit up and hug my heart pillow. Any experience on managing cough at night? How long such cough will continue? I have 2 or 3 times coughing each night so far.

Today I expressed my appreciation to my husband for taking care of me like a big baby in the past days. He smiled and replied "
a big baby? which big baby has such big temper? ". I don’t realize I’m more sensitive myself recently. While our caregiver and love ones do. Their stress is as much as us if not more - stress at waiting room, shock first time seeing us at ICU with all strange pipes and equipment, and trying to do everything possible to make us feel comfortable ….A big thanks to all caregivers in this community 🌹❤️

Day 7th post surgery and first day at home.

Heart rate is still table ( rest rate 65 to 74, walking rate 80-90). Total steps 5167 steps today. I walked in my house 4 times and 3 times outside walking. Walking on flat road is no issue. But for road with incline about 2% to 3%, I can feel it and my heart rate also will increase to be close to 100. First round outside my husband walked together with me. I also did movements PT gave to me at my discharge yesterday with nice music ( three times a day and 10 times per movement). The one I like the best is chest muscle stretch. Because I hug my heart pillow often. I can feel tight breast muscle. Doing it as slowly as you can. It makes my muscle not that tight any more. I also took a few short naps when my body feels it

Overall first day is very good. I used to be so busy and spent â lot of time working. Now it’s first time to slow down/pause. I love walking outside today: feeling nature sounds around me, fresh air, trees and followers - it’s so beautiful, calm, and peaceful. English isn’t my first language and it’s difficult for me to describe that amazing feeling around the nature today.

Today is my first day going up to 2nd floor to take my first bath. I did it slowly - stop for 1-2 second before my next stair step.

Way to go!

Day 6,  my situation becomes great. My heart magically finds its way. My heart rate is very stable ( about 70) and rhythm is good. They transferred me from ICU to step down unit last evening and they’ll discharge me this afternoon soon. I’m surprised how quick our body can heal within a few days. That’s amazing. PT checked me this morning and got her release to walk independently and getting up stairs. I also like these stretch movements she taught me as well. I plan to do them daily when I’m at home. I also learned how to get on and off bed myself.

Doctors and nurses told me I created record on the distance and speed of walking there. I used to be active and went to orange theory about 5 or 6 times per week. This definitely helps my walking in the past few days. Sound body still remembers what we did in the past. Nurse normally cannot keep my pace while walking. I think getting into routine exercise will help post surgery recovery.

I asked for visiting nurse since my husband will go back to work. While they told me I’m not qualified because of my physical situation. 

I’ll start my recovery at home soon and looking forward to it ( in step down unit, two people share one room). Recovery is long journey, per experience from this community, I wouldn’t be surprise if there ups a downs on my way. But everyone goes to the right direction and becomes more stronger. 

Let’s celebrate every small success and progress on the way❤️🌹

Today is my day 5 after surgery. A beautiful day here. I'm still in ICU. I can walk easily. The reason they kept me in ICU is my heart block. Day 2/3 they told me I was in a complete heart block. Left atrium and left ventricle didn’t talk to each other. Yesterday they told me my own heart rate was below 50 and left atrium and left ventricle were out of sync. This morning my own heart rate is between 50 and 60 and sync between these two is better. Overall, it's in a right direction. Dr Bolling ordered more lasix and would like to dry my up more to improve the situation. After two days already on lasix, I doubt I have more to dry up . I lost 17 pounds in the past a few days. I had to go to bathroom quite often due to lasix. Each time each move nurse has to rearrange the wires. Then they use Mobile bathroom which can be moved next to my bed. It helps and I just need to get off the bed without moving or messing up all the wires. The Mobile bathroom is adjustable based on your height.

My nurse is professional and nice. I appreciate their effort and care. I have to take potassium pills. It’s big even breaking into two pieces. Swallowing with water is quite challenging. She put potassium into powder and then mixed with applesauce. One spoon done and easy.

My husband stays in hospital with me in ICU and it does help me emotionally even though he cannot do too much.

My appetite is finally back. I ate an omelette. A bowl of oatmeal and fresh fruit this morning.

I can see the lights at the end of tunnel. It’s long journey for me. I started from deny ( is my valve real the root cause of Afib?), accept, looking for options, concern and scare of surgery, to finally believe surgery is the best and only option. Thanks for all of you in this community.!

Hello, heart friends.

That’s my day 3 in the ICU. I have my mitral valve replaced with Tissue valve, maze and LAAL. I feel much better today and took walking of 8 longest routes. My appetite isn’t back yet. Most of time I just have soup. I tried protein shakes, while it tasted wild to me. To my surprise, the wound doesn’t hurt too much. All my tubes are off now. I didn’t feel too much when they took them off. The only one hurted a little bit is the tube on the chest. They still keep me in ICU because I still need pace maker.

I asked for a bath. Nurse is very nice. I brushed my teeth, washed my face and body, even my fair ( nurse used warm cap to wash my hair). I feel refreshed and good afterward. I would recommend you to ask for it if they don’t offer you initially.

First day was the most difficult day. When I waked up, they had already replaced my breath tube with air tube and then soon after they removed that as well. I was so thirty and asked for water. They first gave me three ice cubes and then sips of water. The water tasted so good. The problem is when I drank, I started to vomit. Nurse had to give me medicine to avoid vomitting before I drank water. Or I simply just wetted my mouth.

Hopefully tomorrow I don’t need pace maker any more. Hang on there. Tomorrow is always better!

Hello, heart friends, my Afib started again yesterday and it has been 24 hrs. The rest rate is below 90 with Metoprolol, but rhythm is an issue. My surgery is on May 30. Tomorrow is holiday and I wonder whether I need a cardio version before surgery or simply take Metoprolol for 4 more days. Any suggestions, let me know. Especially if you have similar experience. Thanks in advance

Hello,heart friends. My surgery started at 8am today on time. But when I'm wakes up, I was told my surgery was terminated today and rescheduled to Thursday. Pipe for my arm and neck are attached. They gave me too much insulin with IV especially considering my size and also I'm not diabetic. My glucose dropped to too low ( almost 0). My doctor decided not to continue the surgery at such low glucose. At least that tells me it won't easy to get diabete. They are adding sugar water into my blood and they're monitoring my glucose situation. I should be able to go home once my glucose level is stable. Thursday is my new day now

Hi, my heart friends here, my first Afib triggered my planing of heart valve surgery. My mitral valve cannot be repaired ( replacement only). My life is normal after cardioversion beginning of this year. I can do my exercises routine without issue. My latest echo shows my heart function is back to status the same as 10 years ago. The only difference is Afib. My surgery suppose to be on 5/23. I wonder whether I should wait and see, or do the surgery . Anyone here with Afib experience or similar issue? If yes, can you share your decision on surgery timing. Thanks

Now I have to make decision on where and which doctor for my valve surgery. I had my consultation with Dr Steven Bolling at university of Michigan yesterday and earliest available time is May 23. I also sent my information to Cleveland Clinic Dr Marc Gillinov office and his office accepted my case and his nurse is asking me the timing for surgery ( no talking with Dr Gillinov directly until visit for surgery). Both sound very good option. Dr Gillinov has more reviews online and reviews are consistent positive but two hrs away from home. Dr Steven sounds very knowledgeable and experienced and also very patient during my visit yesterday. I feel
I can trust him and it’s only half an hour away from my home. He has less online reviews. Majority of his reviews online are positive except three very negative ones. If you were me, which option would you choose and why?

Hello, I have mitral valve problem due to rheumatic fever. Now with Afib, I have to do mitral valve repair or replacement. I’m in Michigan. Any recommendation for best surgeon for such surgery? Thanks in advance