Steven Liebowitz - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

2124 days ago

3 people reacted to this

I’m now about 5 months post OHS for aortic valve replacement. My ejection fraction was 77 % prior to surgery and is now 48%, with a left bundle branch block. ...Read more

I’m now about 5 months post OHS for aortic valve replacement. My ejection fraction was 77 % prior to surgery and is now 48%, with a left bundle branch block. My question, is it normal to experience reduced libido, and fatigue? I’m having some regrets. Any and all responses are greatly appreciated.

Susan Lynn Steven - That's a pretty significant drop in ejection fraction and I believe 48% is slightly below no ... Read more

Susan Lynn Steven - That's a pretty significant drop in ejection fraction and I believe 48% is slightly below normal. I was exhausted after surgery and took naps for many months. You may want to ask your cardiologist about prescriptions that aid in bringing up that EF number. I suspect your energy level and libido will improve when your heart pumps with greater force. Recovery is a process- many physicians estimate it takes a full year. Better days are ahead - hang in there! ❤

Phyllis Petersen Sorry to hear you're having these problems. The fatigue comes and goes for quite awhile, but you real ... Read more

Phyllis Petersen Sorry to hear you're having these problems. The fatigue comes and goes for quite awhile, but you really need to speak with your cardiologist to see if there isn't something that be done to improve things. That does sound like a low ejection fraction for a new valve.

Steve Farthing Just thought I would mention John Mehall also did my mitral valve repair at Penrose with very good re ... Read more

Steve Farthing Just thought I would mention John Mehall also did my mitral valve repair at Penrose with very good results. He mentioned to me that the heart continues to gradually heal and improve for 2-3 years after surgery.

Steven Liebowitz Steve Farthing, thanks for the update. First time I’ve heard the heart will heal & improve👍

Steven Liebowitzposted an update

2245 days ago

2 people reacted to this

This is my first post. I had an aortic valve replacement three weeks ago, and I’m having difficulty sleeping. My iron level is low, which probably makes me ...Read more

This is my first post. I had an aortic valve replacement three weeks ago, and I’m having difficulty sleeping. My iron level is low, which probably makes me feel I have no energy. During the day, I’ve been forcing myself to do some basic PT and 20 minute walks. The rest of the afternoon, I feel tired and at times can’t catch by breath. My O2 is in mid 90s . Is this normal? Also, how long does the femoral incision and chest incision take to heal and be pain free? I’m supposed to start cardiac rehab on Tuesday. Thanks in advance for any and all advice.

Bradley Dunn Try some melatonin for the sleep. I took it for the first few weeks then stopped when I didn't need i ... Read more

Bradley Dunn Try some melatonin for the sleep. I took it for the first few weeks then stopped when I didn't need it anymore.

I never had any incision pain. I'm almost 8 weeks post now and my breasts muscles still hurt from time to time. I picked up a car battery today for my boat. I went fishing and I put up 6 new outdoor lights. I also worked a full day. Recovery is slow but steady. I still hurt when I cough or sneeze. I'll get all the way there and so will you. Hang in there.

Marie Myers Are you taking iron supplements? My doc had me take an iron supplement for 3 weeks to help get my blo ... Read more

Marie Myers Are you taking iron supplements? My doc had me take an iron supplement for 3 weeks to help get my blood count up to normal. That helped me with the fatigue.
I did not experience much incision pain either. My upper back and chest muscles were another story. Very achy and tired. I did some easy stretching, and it got better with time. Wishing you some better days!

Jennifer McInerney I think everyone is different. I’m on iron supplements. My sleep is all over the place. Some goo ... Read more

Jennifer McInerney I think everyone is different. I’m on iron supplements. My sleep is all over the place. Some good nights and bad nights. I’m not even close to doing a 20 minute walk. However I’m having a good day today so will definitely go for a walk. Just take one day at a time. Sleep when you can and maybe request some iron supplements

Dan Vechiola My chest discomfort began to go away at around 4 weeks post op and now at 6 weeks post op it is almos ... Read more

Dan Vechiola My chest discomfort began to go away at around 4 weeks post op and now at 6 weeks post op it is almost gone. Keep walking it really makes a difference.

MARIE PICUN I am also on iron supplements. I sleep on the recliner, but wake up here and there. 6 AM totally up

MARIE PICUN I do walk around the house. If the weather nice I walk out side, or our grocery store with a mask on. ... Read more

MARIE PICUN I do walk around the house. If the weather nice I walk out side, or our grocery store with a mask on.

Meredith Bray I slept when I could for the first maybe 5 weeks. Naps when I was tired. It was a long time before I ... Read more

Meredith Bray I slept when I could for the first maybe 5 weeks. Naps when I was tired. It was a long time before I could sleep more than a few hours at a time. I still max out at about 6 hours unless I'm sick. And it's been almost 5 years for me.
Keep walking!

Rita Savelis Alas, insomnia and lack of energy are common after OHS, and it is still very early for you. Nap when ... Read more

Rita Savelis Alas, insomnia and lack of energy are common after OHS, and it is still very early for you. Nap when you can. Your body needs more time to get over everything it's been through. I was told the chest incision needs about 6 weeks to heal. I felt very tight in my chest (no pain, just an incredible tightness) for months after OHS.