David's Posts

I have been taking a daily baby aspirin for 40 years, granted its not warfarin but it is a blood thinner. It never stopped me from doing anything physical. From what i read about warfarin , just making sure you don’t take too much or too little is the key. That requires diligent monitoring. A small price to pay for a healthy heart.

Hey David, I'm a similar age (41) as you and received an On-X valve in 2023. I haven't changed anything I was doing presurgery activity-wise. The ticking is unique to everyone, mine is quite loud but I don't hear it most of the time. I have another friend that is almost silent. Either way, I think you can get used to it. Blood thinners haven't been an issue for me. I eat the same way I did before and get checked once a month. I bruise easier, but that hasn't been an issue (I'm not a model, lol). I coach kids sports (starting baseball tonight) and haven't had any issues. I also lift weights 4 days a week and run 5 days a week (not marathons, but I run an hour or so at a time). I also do woodworking as a hobby and always have small cuts and things on my hands and arms and I haven't bled out yet, lol. There are drawbacks to everything, but I felt best after talking with my surgeon and a few other sources that the mechanical valve was best for me and I still believe that today. I'm always happy to connect and talk if you are interested.

Hi David! I’m almost 36 and I chose the Ross. I lead a very active life, and physical as well..I build boats for a living and am always using tools, and grinders, saws etc… I chose to not be on blood thinners just because I do cut my hands sometimes, and bang my body on stuff, big pieces of aluminum etc and did not want to risk any potential excess bleeding. As far as reintervention… I was told that at 20 years, I would have a 20% chance at reintervention .. and I think it goes up a bit more frequently after that 20 year mark . I have seen many people on the various pages that they have gotten 20, 25, and even 30+ years out of their Ross before needing another surgery. I think the next surgery does not need to be a full sternotomy alot of the time, and can be done in between ribs. “Minimally invasive” I think is the term. I hope this helps! Please feel free to reach out with more questions! you can also find me on my new fb page: Heart Warrior Community: By Andy Dial. And you can absolutely post on there as well and get feedback from even more people who’ve had surgery!

Ticking is really not a problem. It has to be very very very quiet for me to hear my TWO mechanical valves (mitral and aortic). At the beginning I was more aware of the sound but really it is not an issue. Of course it's a drag to be on meds - anticoagulants, but then you get used to it. I was very worried at first and now, 10 years later, I don't think about them. I was 53, and because of radiation damage (from childhood cancer treatment) to my heart and valves it wasn't a good idea to have multiple surgeries. I haven't changed my lifestyle on anticoagulants - I eat what I like, and I get tested about once a month and make my own decisions about dosage. I probably bruise easier but I don't worry about that or about dying because of an accident, because then where would I be? Can't live that way. Of course if you can do a procedure like the Ross that would be great. Take your time and look around and see what's out there. Take care, and sorry that you have to go through this and make this decision. Whatever you decide will be right for you. Don't look back. Don't second guess yourself. You are singular and your heart and body are singular.

I am 36 and currently working with a surgeon to determine if my valve can be repaired or if it needs to be replaced. I also have a 5cm aneurysm of the ascending aorta so surgery is a must to repair that. If it is determined that my valve cannot be repaired and needs to be replaced I am electing to have a Ross Procedure. I feel that the Ross with give me the quality of life that I wish to have without the restrictions a mechanical valve and blood thinners would place on my life. The Learning Center videos on this page have really helped me with this decision and I would recommend you check them out if you haven't already. https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/videos/ross-procedure Remember everyone is different and what is right for someone else, may not be right for you. Wishing you well!

Hello David. I had the Ross Procedure almost 1 yr ago. I am 56 and would say that I am active. I decided it was the best choice for me 1. I definitely did not want to be on blood thinners 2. I felt that with the Ross it will last me much longer (hopefully the rest of my life) than a bovine. It's a very personal decision and whatever you decide with your team will be right. All the best with your journey.