Going on four weeks post op. Had my three week follow up with my cardiologist, Dr Aldea.
My doctor told me I could start driving locally this week, and I could ...Read more
Going on four weeks post op. Had my three week follow up with my cardiologist, Dr Aldea.
My doctor told me I could start driving locally this week, and I could get back on my Peloton, for 10 minutes with a heart rate up to 120. I stopped taking all pain/muscle relaxers, except Tylenol and heart relaxer. Still on Warfarin for 2 months.
I have a couple of questions for this amazing community:
1 - I am looking for recommendations for products to help heal my scar? My doctor said to use Vitamin K, and another strong recommendation was Bio Oil? Thoughts?
2 - How long should you be using a pillow while driving?
Thank you for any advice/comments - I am taking one day at a time, and although I am dealing with daily aches, I am not in pain, and I am looking ahead to better days :)
Susan Lynn Yay!!! Congrats on your successful recovery so far, Tamiko! I have used Mederma and Vitamin C cream ... Read more
Susan Lynn Yay!!! Congrats on your successful recovery so far, Tamiko! I have used Mederma and Vitamin C creams in the past on various scars and they worked well. I didn't use anything on my OHS scar. It's almost invisible now.
I can't answer the pillow question because I didn't have a sternum cut, but maybe one of our other heart warriors can help.
Wishing you continued success! ❤
E Taub I've used silicone scar sheets (brand I use is ScarAway) and found them to work well.
I am getting nervous about my upcoming Aortic Valve Replacement on July 9th 2021. Has anyone recently had a Bicuspid Valve Replacement with minimally invasive ...Read more
I am getting nervous about my upcoming Aortic Valve Replacement on July 9th 2021. Has anyone recently had a Bicuspid Valve Replacement with minimally invasive surgery? What was your experience?
My daughters will be helping me with my care when I get home....and I would like to give them some ideas of what my needs may be? I am a very active person, so asking for help is hard for me.
Darlene Miranda Keeping you in prayers Tamiko-I’m new here-it’s great your daughters are there for you 💜💕
Paul Lechiaro Same thing here Tamiko. Wishing you great success and a speedy recovery!
Mike Dotson I had a minimally invasive AVR 4 months ago. The first couple of weeks were a challenge but I felt b ... Read more
Mike Dotson I had a minimally invasive AVR 4 months ago. The first couple of weeks were a challenge but I felt better each day. I was able to do most everything I need but I needed to do everything slowly and rest afterwards. After a month, with my surgeons ok, I began to exercise again. I started slowly and progressed in a linear fashion. I now am back feeling “normal”. Another aspect of this is the mental hurdles. Even though I got clearance from both my surgeon and cardiologist, I reached out to them a couple more times to make sure that I was proceeding intelligently and not putting myself at risk. Good luck to you. Take your recovery day by day and the next thing you know, you’ve climbed that mountain.
D Rogers Lifting prayers Tamiko. We've all been apprehensive about our situations and empathize and encourage ... Read more
D Rogers Lifting prayers Tamiko. We've all been apprehensive about our situations and empathize and encourage positive thoughts and prayer
Tamiko Tommila Thanks for your encouraging words of support!
Mike Dotson, my youngest just graduated from HS and my ... Read more
Tamiko Tommila Thanks for your encouraging words of support!
Mike Dotson, my youngest just graduated from HS and my oldest just graduated from college.....I know how special and important it is to be there for them :).
I read your post's and wondered how you feel your heart is working now? Do you have any reservations in terms of being worried about physical exercise? I really went back and forth on the mechanical valve vs Bio but I decided that I didn't want the blood thinners and I am a really light sleeper, and felt the ticking sound was going to be too difficult. I do love the idea of "one and done" in terms of operations, but I am putting my faith in the TAVR valve in valve when my new COW valve breaks down.....hopefully a long time down the road!
Jill Frey Hi Tamiko, I am also new to the group and am also scheduled for TAVR this month. Although my doctor a ... Read more
Jill Frey Hi Tamiko, I am also new to the group and am also scheduled for TAVR this month. Although my doctor and surgeon feel Open heart surgery is a better option for me because I am 60 and not 80, I opted for the TAVR because I dont feel I can handle the recovery and also did not want to be on blood thinners for the rest of my life. I am very anxious about how long the valve will last and am making myself emotionally sick over the whole thing. I was also diagnosed at a regular physical and had none of the symptoms associated with severe aortic stenosis yet here I am. Were your doctors pushing you to go with open heart as well? I am by nature a worrier who suffers from severe anxiety and OCD so I have been thinking of nothing but this procedure for the last month. Its on my mind 24/7 and I feel like all I do is worry and am not enjoying anything. I have so many questions about the recovery as well. You are not alone. I will be sending prayers for a full and speedy recovery for you. Please let me know what to expect if you are feeling up to it. Im scheduled for the 12th of July right now but just found out they may have to push it back a while because they got the authorization from my secondary insurance rather then my primary so now more waiting. Glad I picked that up before the day of the procedure. Did you attend the webinar Adam hosted 2 days ago with the TAVR specialists? I found it very informative. I wish I had the good fortune to use that surgeon to perform my TAVR but being in Jew Jersey it would not work for me, Best of luck with your TAVR.
Lisa Coombe I had my bicuspid aortic valve replaced but it wasn’t minimally invasive, I’m recovering well fro ... Read more
Lisa Coombe I had my bicuspid aortic valve replaced but it wasn’t minimally invasive, I’m recovering well from my surgery and it will be 5 weeks on monday
Tamiko Tommila Hi Lisa - soapy to hear you are doing well 5 weeks post! What types of activities are you able to do ... Read more
Tamiko Tommila Hi Lisa - soapy to hear you are doing well 5 weeks post! What types of activities are you able to do? Do you need assistance with anything?
Lisa Coombe I can do a lot, I don’t need any assistance at all, I have been showering on my own since day 3, I ... Read more
Lisa Coombe I can do a lot, I don’t need any assistance at all, I have been showering on my own since day 3, I do what I can at home and my boyfriend does what I can’t do
Kim McGee I had open heart to replace the aortic valve on June 24 th I had bicuspid Aortic Stenosis . First few ... Read more
Kim McGee I had open heart to replace the aortic valve on June 24 th I had bicuspid Aortic Stenosis . First few days were tough but after that hasn’t been bad . They are trying to find the sweet spot with the coumidan because I went with mechanical valve so bloodwork everyday . You can do it !keeping you in my prayers . Btw I am 50 and very active so it’s slowed me down for a bit but have to stay patient while healing after 😊
Dr. Luis Castro is the #1 patient-recommended heart valve surgeon at HeartValveSurgery.com. Dr. Castro specializes in minimally-invasive heart valve surgery.
I can't answer the pillow question because I didn't have a sternum cut, but maybe one of our other heart warriors can help.
Wishing you continued success! ❤