Well, today is exactly 14 days post-op for me. My surgery went well, no complications. Spent four nights at WakeMed and was able to come home on day five. This ...Read more
Well, today is exactly 14 days post-op for me. My surgery went well, no complications. Spent four nights at WakeMed and was able to come home on day five. This website has been very helpful for me so I will jot down a few thoughts post-op that may be beneficial to others coming behind me in the surgeries.
I certainly underestimated the pain level for the first 24 to 48 hours postop. Not sure what I was expecting, but it was pretty significant, then subsided once the tubes came out of my stomach.
The most traumatic thing out of the entire experience is waking up with a breathing tube down your throat and feeling as though you can’t catch your breath. I was not sure if I was supposed to be trying to breathe on my own or if the machine was breathing for me, all I knew is that I could at best, take tiny little breaths and felt like I was going to suffocate if I could not get a deep breath. Not sure what the norm is here, but I was awake for 30 minutes with the breathing tube in with this feeling of not being able to get a sufficient breath. And you are tied down during this process so you can’t talk nor can you move, so it is pretty disorienting and scary. Prepare yourself for this so it doesn’t take you by surprise.
On my first day home I was able to take my first shower and just the five minute shower totally exhausted me and I needed my wife’s help simply to dry off. I was caught off guard by just how little cardio remained after the surgery. Good news is today, just 14 days after surgery, I’m already walking 1.5 miles at a time at a 17:30 minute pace with little difficulty so it comes back fast, but be prepared to start at zero.
Finally, Dr Judson Williams was great throughout and he said he expected me to get 15-20 years out of this valve, which is important as I am only 55. Also I had an abnormally small annulus but he was able to fit in a 23 mm valve, which as larger than expected.
Thanks to all for the info and support and best wishes on your journey. Feel free to reach out if I can be of any assistance.
J Alexander Lassally Thanks for sharing. Like you, I was also aware of this experience and it was far from nice. I get ann ... Read more
J Alexander Lassally Thanks for sharing. Like you, I was also aware of this experience and it was far from nice. I get annoyed when people (on this forum) assume that no one experiences this post surgery. We're in the minority, but it happens!
Like you, I felt a choking / suffocating feeling. I was tied down also ...
Think on the positive side - it is part of the war story we can share. We're no worse for the experience.
Rose Madura I also woke up with the breathing tube and was tied down as well. Definitely not a dun time. Yes, on ... Read more
Rose Madura I also woke up with the breathing tube and was tied down as well. Definitely not a dun time. Yes, once the tubes are out, you feel much better. Sounds like you are doing great. Hope your valves last at least 10 years. 👍❤️🩹
Arrived to the heart center yesterday and surgery is tomorrow. Dr Judson Williams is very impressive and I am glad I chose him. I feel really confident in the ...Read more
Arrived to the heart center yesterday and surgery is tomorrow. Dr Judson Williams is very impressive and I am glad I chose him. I feel really confident in the Inspirus valve and am excited that he can do it minimally invasive. All of that is great news. And having my wife be able to stay at WakeMeds Heart Hospital Inn, which is literally on top of the actual heart hospital, is super convenient. Will give an update when I get through the surgery in a few days.
Lisa Silverman This all sounds really promising so far. You’re off to a solid start! Thinking of you and lifting y ... Read more
Lisa Silverman This all sounds really promising so far. You’re off to a solid start! Thinking of you and lifting you up in prayer.
Anna Rakowicz Best of luck on your surgery tomorrow!
Rose Madura God bless you on your surgery Todd. I'm very impressed that they have an Inn on top of the hotel. Som ... Read more
Rose Madura God bless you on your surgery Todd. I'm very impressed that they have an Inn on top of the hotel. Someone was really thinking of everyone involved. I sometimes think it was harder on my husband than it was for me - at least emotionally. 💪❤️🩹👍
Klara Čičić Agree, Rose. The family goes through huge stress. Good luck, Todd! Soon you'll be on the recovery sid ... Read more
Klara Čičić Agree, Rose. The family goes through huge stress. Good luck, Todd! Soon you'll be on the recovery side.
Adam Pick Hi Todd, You are in the best of hands with Dr. Williams at WakeMed. He is really passionate about E... Read more
Adam Pick Hi Todd, You are in the best of hands with Dr. Williams at WakeMed. He is really passionate about Enhanced Recovery after Cardiac Surgery (ERAS) and you can learn about in this video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVL1UDstR7c
https://www.Heart-Valve-Surgery.com - Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) is a revolutionary approach to improving patient outcomes that is now being adop...
Andrea Babcock Best Wishes for your surgery and a really good recovery!!!
Andrea Babcock Nice that your wife is right there so close. I booked myself with our little dog and his sister in a ... Read more
Andrea Babcock Nice that your wife is right there so close. I booked myself with our little dog and his sister in a hotel a couple streets away from the Hospital for 3 nights, even so we only live a 1 hour drive away. I wanted to be as close as possible so I could visit often and be there as much as I was allowed. I think it also helped my anxiety somewhat and Dean knew I was close by.
I certainly underestimated the pain level for the first 24 to 48 hours postop. Not sure what I was expecting, but it was pretty significant, then subsided once the tubes came out of my stomach.
The most traumatic thing out of the entire experience is waking up with a breathing tube down your throat and feeling as though you can’t catch your breath. I was not sure if I was supposed to be trying to breathe on my own or if the machine was breathing for me, all I knew is that I could at best, take tiny little breaths and felt like I was going to suffocate if I could not get a deep breath. Not sure what the norm is here, but I was awake for 30 minutes with the breathing tube in with this feeling of not being able to get a sufficient breath. And you are tied down during this process so you can’t talk nor can you move, so it is pretty disorienting and scary. Prepare yourself for this so it doesn’t take you by surprise.
On my first day home I was able to take my first shower and just the five minute shower totally exhausted me and I needed my wife’s help simply to dry off. I was caught off guard by just how little cardio remained after the surgery. Good news is today, just 14 days after surgery, I’m already walking 1.5 miles at a time at a 17:30 minute pace with little difficulty so it comes back fast, but be prepared to start at zero.
Finally, Dr Judson Williams was great throughout and he said he expected me to get 15-20 years out of this valve, which is important as I am only 55. Also I had an abnormally small annulus but he was able to fit in a 23 mm valve, which as larger than expected.
Thanks to all for the info and support and best wishes on your journey. Feel free to reach out if I can be of any assistance.
Like you, I felt a choking / suffocating feeling. I was tied down also ...
Think on the positive side - it is part of the war story we can share. We're no worse for the experience.