Erik's Posts

Just thought I'd check in, it's now 15mos post OHS to replace the BAV and repair the aortic root aneurysm. I got the Edwards Inspiris Resilia valve/aortic conduit. Just had my 1 yr echo and cardiologist follow up. All is great, I feel 110%, go back in a year. Last Feb I started back to regular cardio and weight training, kept it up 2-4x a week until summer hit and slacked off due to vacations, work, and family stuff, so need to get back to that here soon. Everyone going through OHS will feel anxiety, fear, frustration and pain, and more -- it's all normal. Know that while valve and heart disease are serious health conditions and the surgery is a big deal, it's not as big a deal as we all think it is in the moment (well probably for 95% of us it's not). You will get through this (use that dreadful spirometer and walk, walk, walk daily!) and feel better (really for the vast majority you will). Hang in there and happy healing!

Anyone that is about to have surgery here is a very helpful video I found that I wish I had before my surgery to help me better understand what the breathing tube would be like (if you still have it in when you wake up like I did) and the first few days in the hospital. I found the video to be spot on about everything, only difference is since my procedure was minimally invasive through my right pec I had a chest tube rather than a belly tube to drain fluids. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_lTF2ozUY0 Maybe Adam can add the video to the appropriate patient resources section.