Lisa's Posts

Lisa, I am curious what type of robotic repair you had. Was it through a thoracotomy? Where was the incision done? I am having tricuspid repair soon and having a mini thoracotomy and have heard good and not so good things. I am also a bit concerned about the trouble some have had going between the ribs and having difficulty later, somewhat as you have described. I do hope your pains and discomfort resolve soon and you get a lot out of rehab, as I do believe it helps quite a lot.🙏❤️

Hi Lisa, thanks for your comment on my post. I didn't get a robotic repair but replacements via OHS (my last was a mini sternotomy) so I'm sure it doesn't really compare. But I know from my other surgeries that this is such a bumpy road, and some people are out running by 10 weeks so it seems, whereas others are much slower. I was much slower with my other surgery recoveries too, so I expected this to be no different or even worse. Just wondering how you are feeling now and what kind of issues do you feel are still most bothersome?

Lisa - 10 weeks is in the realm for many recovery aspects. I did not have robotic either, so cannot comment on the numbness. Many thoracotomy patients can experience this, and many report it continues improve with time as nerves regenerate. Cannot comment on the other symptoms you express. One editorial comment I can pass along. A NY surgeon told me there is no such thing as "minimally invasive" valve surgery, and there are definite tradeoffs with the robotic approach. Their point was that all surgeries are extreme and filled with potential risks .. I personally think some surgeons over sell the ease of recovery with the robot and only with deep digging do some of these problems reveal themselves. Give things time !

I did have a thoracotomy. But I also had lost a lot of blood needed blood transfusions and lost so much blood and fluids that the drains stayed in for 5 days. I think that is where my problem stems from so I think my situation is a bit more unique. I am numb from the center of my chest to my upper right arm and the same side of my back. I do have my right arm moving up because when I got home I could barley lift it but there is a lot of pulling now from my armpit when I do lift it. I feel dead weight between my arm and side and there is a lot of tightening that goes on in my chest when I get exercise or sleep.

Lisa - definitely sounds like a difficult situation with this much numbness. Worth pressing the surgeon a bit, I think. They will say it is normal, of course. Document it. How long was your surgery? Given your blood loss I wonder if you had a long procedure which might have irritated the nervous system more. Some patients have super long robotic procedure if the surgical team is slow or on the learning curve. That is a long time for those drains. Yikes. Keep healing... Give it time. As they say, each day is a tiny increment, but weekly increments start to matter. Do keep walking. It is the BEST rehab you can do.