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Diagnosis: Aortic Stenosis, Bicuspid Aortic Valve

Member Since: December 1, 2022

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Andy Parker posted an update

2 years ago (September 14, 2023)

Hello neighbors I hope everyone is on the road to better health! Well itâ€™s been one week ago today that my bicuspid valve was replaced â€œopen heartâ€ SAVR, Im overjoyed to report that everything so far has has fell into place amaziningly wellðŸ‘Iâ€™m just now writing my first post only... Read more.

🥰 Jeff Williams reacted to this

Dewayne Adamson

Congrats on a succesful outcome! How did they relieve the back pain and how long did it last?

Valerie Allen

Wonderful news! Did you have to ask for plates instead of wires or is that what they routinely use there?

Marie Myers

Congrats on your surgery! I, too, had upper back and shoulder pain. I would have given anything for a massage! Glad you are on the road of recovery!

Tom Everson

Well done. I also have the resilla valve ( easy decision for me since I was 77). My only pain was back pain , which was fine with me. I was told that you are opened up like a book . It came and went for about a month. Walk... Read more.

Matthew Malooly

That's great to hear. It's so crazy how much effort and care and thought go into such a relatively quick little procedure - and how that changes the trajectory of our lives. Congratulations on the new valve!

Rose Madura

Great to hear and welcome to recovery. I also had back and shoulder pain. It eventually got better. Hang in there and take care.

Delise Becker

Glad to hear that you are on the road to recovery! Please keep us posted.

Rita Savelis

It is a big hill to climb. I hear you. Take care.

Ana Brusso

Andy, glad that you are on the road of recovery. I also have the Resilia valve almost four years. I experienced the back and shoulder pain but eventually it went away. Congratulations on your successful recovery â¤ï¸â€ðŸ©¹

Rich Butela

Great News !

Andy Parker posted an update

2 years ago (August 28, 2023)

Iâ€™m loving your feedback! Thank you! Has anybody had the fixed plate sternotomy and is it rare to find valve centers that do them? Iâ€™m going to call my surgeon at Atlanta Piedmont dr Vinod thouroni to see if itâ€™s an option for me!

Jeff Williams

I had my surgery at Piedmont with Dr Kauten (who is retiring this week), he is a proponent of the traditional wires to close. I really didn't have any issues with my sternum during recovery. Other surgeons there may do it, he just had a preference for the wire method.

Delise Becker

After I viewed a video about Rigid Sternal Fixation (on this site) and also heard Dr. Marc Gerdisch talk about how his program utilizes the plates and screws for almost all of their sternotomy patients, I asked my surgeon if he would do it, and he said yes. He explained... Read more.

Andy Parker

Thanks for the info may I ask where youâ€™ll have your surgery?

Andy Parker

My surgery was moved to the 7th of September, Iâ€™m walking everyday to help my strength level as I prepare, I was wondering what others have done to prepare?

Renee Leunig

My mitral valve replacement and sternotomy was closed with sternal lock ridged fixation. I have an allergy to nickel so my surgeon decided to play it safe and Iâ€™m so glad he did. I think I had much more pain free movement early on. I still have some sternum healing... Read more.

Rose Madura

Andy, one thing that I wish I did prior to surgery was to exercise my lungs with deep breaths.

Delise Becker

Andy, my surgery will be at Heart Hospital of Austin, located in Austin, TX. I am continuing my stretching and exercise routine, and since I am now two weeks away from surgery, I am also paying much more attention to my diet. My husband and I always try to eat... Read more.

Andy Parker

Hello mr Jeff I hope you are healing and all is going well, I was wondering if your doctor has you on a low dose of warfarin as the f d a has approved it! Also is the ticking a bother? Sorry to bother you but my surgery is Thursday... Read more.

Jeff Williams

I am on warfarin. My INR is holding around 2.8-3 for the first 3 months then it will be down to 2. Hasn't been an issue. The ticking doesn't bother me at all. I'm a loud ticker that can be heard in a quiet room too. Sleep hasn't been an... Read more.

Andy Parker

Thank you Jeff for responding, today I talked with a brother at church and he got his machanical valve in 2005 heâ€™s â€œ70â€ or so now and he is in great shape and looking good, was working out yesterday in the gymðŸ‘On x valve and no problems, this may be... Read more.

Jeff Williams

That is encouraging. Feel free to check out my YouTube stuff in my profile. It may give you some insights on what to expect at Piedmont.

Jeff Williams

I'm also more than happy to talk live if you have any questions about the hospital or tips we learned. Just let me know.