Heart valve replacement

tccox · 09-03-2015, 10:35 AM

Anyone had it done ? If so how long were you out of commission ?

gtron · 09-03-2015, 10:59 AM

damn. that sounds hardcore. gluck!

Mr Pete · 09-04-2015, 10:53 PM

Can't say that I have, nor do I know anyone who has had that procedure done. But everything will work out I'm sure!

AlpineE92M3 · 09-04-2015, 11:05 PM

My grandfather had had multiple heart surgeries. Can't say everyone has the same outlook but good luck and health be in your corner!

TomHudson · 09-05-2015, 07:12 AM

Brother had it done a few years back, he was fifty.
He wasn't out of commission (off work) for a couple months. He is a very healthy, strong man with an unfortunate valve defect, and rebounded well from quite a major surgery.

Having the surgery done will improve how you feel immediately! He mentioned how he could feel is heart actually pumping like a race horse afterwards.

Are you going for natural or mechanical valve?

Mechanical lasts longer, but requires taking blood thinners.
Artificial is better if you're active, but lasts about 20 years. The replacement valve then, is done endoscopically

tccox · 09-05-2015, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomHudson

Brother had it done a few years back, he was fifty.
He wasn't out of commission (off work) for a couple months. He is a very healthy, strong man with an unfortunate valve defect, and rebounded well from quite a major surgery.

Having the surgery done will improve how you feel immediately! He mentioned how he could feel is heart actually pumping like a race horse afterwards.

Are you going for natural or mechanical valve?

Mechanical lasts longer, but requires taking blood thinners.
Artificial is better if you're active, but lasts about 20 years. The replacement valve then, is done endoscopically

Thanks, going with the natural, pig/cow valve. May only last 15-20 years but by then they'll be doing them all with the less evasive method. Besides, don't think I could stand the constant clicking of the mechanical valve. Had my heart cat Wednesday, also have to have single left bypass

TomHudson · 09-05-2015, 09:55 AM

Best of luck, you'll be fine. You have to really look hard to see the scar, not like old days!

SMOKE EM IF U GOT EM!! · 09-05-2015, 10:33 AM

My father had a valve replaced along with a double bypass. Was back on his feet within a few weeks after that and is doing great about a year and half later. Good luck man. Medicine has came a long way recently.

MrPrena · 09-05-2015, 08:24 PM

I just finished exercising while watching football.
To some, exercise isn't enough.
Just talking about this makes me wanna take 80/81mg aspirin right now.

TrevorM3 · 09-06-2015, 07:55 AM

my god i'd be so terrified to have surgery based on what i have seen in the OR

best of luck

jstnstr · 09-07-2015, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrevorM3

my god i'd be so terrified to have surgery based on what i have seen in the OR

best of luck

That's helpful.
Your best bet in all honesty is to get an insider's report about the surgeon's reputation. It may be hard to do but that's probably the most valuable information to make you feel comfortable. As far as how long you will be out of commission it's going to depend largely on how otherwise healthy you are. If you have a lot of other co-morbidities then you may take longer to recover.

tccox · 10-28-2015, 08:12 PM

Well, it's over. Hardest part Is not being able to drive my 228. It was rough but was totally off pain medicines at two weeks. Just waiting to be cleared to drive. Walking 2 miles a day less than three weeks after surgery.

overcoil · 10-28-2015, 08:18 PM

Thank you for updating, glad it worked up well.
When do you expect to start driving ?

tccox · 10-28-2015, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottSinger

Thank you for updating, glad it worked up well.
When do you expect to start driving ?

Thanks, been three weeks since surgery so 1 more week. Should find out. Monday

SMOKE EM IF U GOT EM!! · 10-28-2015, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tccox

Well, it's over. Hardest part Is not being able to drive my 228. It was rough but was totally off pain medicines at two weeks. Just waiting to be cleared to drive. Walking 2 miles a day less than three weeks after surgery.

Awesome to hear man! Good luck and enjoy the new lease on life

mike the snake · 11-12-2015, 08:18 PM

I was born with an irregular heart valve. I was told I was a textbook case, late 40's erly 50's, everything is fine, high blood pressure, then chest pains start.
At that point i was told you have a year or so to live.

I had my Aortic valve replaced with a mechanical valve. I was told the tissue valves (cow/pig/human) last only about 10 years, and I didn't EVER want to go through this again, so I opted for the mechanical valve. I was 47 at the time.

This was a little over a year ago. I have to take blood thinners for the rest of my life (small price to pay). 20 years ago I had issues with opiates and pain pills, I've been clean for over 15 years, and I feared relapsing if I was given opiates for this surgery so I refused them, and went through the whole ordeal with Tylenol. The pain was more than I could have ever imagined, but short lived.

I was home in 4 days, and in perfect health now. ALL of my health issues were due to my clogged heart valve. Today, my blood pressure, liver function, cholesterol (65), kidney function, INR (blood thickness), blood sugar (I USED to have diabetes), A1C, everything is all perfect now.

It's been a year and a couple months, and I'm feeling better and getting stronger every day, and every day I wake up is a blessing.

I AM guilty of not taking full advantage of my second chance, I really need to start walking more, working out, and eating better (I eat well, no fast food, just not regularly. Sometimes I'll go all day and only eat dinner).

Anyways, saw this thread, thought I'd share my story. I had my heart valve replaced, and all is fine. You can hear it from across the room if it's really quiet.

I'm glad to hear your ordeal came out well.

overcoil · 11-12-2015, 08:35 PM

Mike the Snake - that is a story! Quite remarkable and memorable.
Too a long a full life to everyone.

Just Ask · 03-22-2016, 10:34 PM

I had my aorta replaced with a Dacron tube, had my Mitral valve rebuilt, and had my Aortic valve replaced with a pig valve 5 years ago. Spent 18 hours in the OR due to fluid retention, surgeon told me afterwards that he wasn't sure I was going to make it BUT...I did survive and am now thriving. Recovery was fairly quick (was 45 y/o) and was back at work full time after 4 weeks. The mental recovery...residuals from anesthesia mainly...took about 5 or 6 months; I was just not firing on all cylinders for a while. Regardless, I know the tissue valve will probably need to be replaced at some point...just trying to milk as much out of the 1st one as possible :-)

09-03-2015, 10:35 AM	#1
tccox Captain 97 Rep 809 Posts Drives: 2014 228i Msport Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Charlotte, NC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW 228I Msport [0.00]	Heart valve replacement Anyone had it done ? If so how long were you out of commission ? __________________ A peasant and proud of it Save The Manuals!!!
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09-03-2015, 10:59 AM	#2
gtron powerhouse 724 Rep 1,628 Posts Drives: 2014 Porsche 981 CS Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2016 Mercedes C450 AMG [10.00] 2016 Lexus RC 200t [0.00] 2014 Porsche [9.50] 2012 550i M-Sport [7.86]	damn. that sounds hardcore. gluck! __________________ no signature. except for this one.
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09-04-2015, 10:53 PM	#3
Mr Pete Major 1696 Rep 1,036 Posts Drives: 997 Sharkwerks 4.1 GT3. E46 M3 comp. Tacoma Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: AZ iTrader: (1)	Can't say that I have, nor do I know anyone who has had that procedure done. But everything will work out I'm sure!
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09-04-2015, 11:05 PM	#4
AlpineE92M3 Currently Driving 271 Rep 1,423 Posts Drives: BPM tuned '13 AW ZCP E92 M3 Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Rochester, NY iTrader: (9) Garage List 2013 BMW E92 M3 [0.00] 2011 BMW M3 [0.00]	My grandfather had had multiple heart surgeries. Can't say everyone has the same outlook but good luck and health be in your corner!
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09-05-2015, 07:12 AM	#5
TomHudson Major 660 Rep 1,118 Posts Drives: 2011 E90 M3 Join Date: May 2015 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	Brother had it done a few years back, he was fifty. He wasn't out of commission (off work) for a couple months. He is a very healthy, strong man with an unfortunate valve defect, and rebounded well from quite a major surgery. Having the surgery done will improve how you feel immediately! He mentioned how he could feel is heart actually pumping like a race horse afterwards. Are you going for natural or mechanical valve? Mechanical lasts longer, but requires taking blood thinners. Artificial is better if you're active, but lasts about 20 years. The replacement valve then, is done endoscopically
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09-05-2015, 09:55 AM	#7
TomHudson Major 660 Rep 1,118 Posts Drives: 2011 E90 M3 Join Date: May 2015 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	Best of luck, you'll be fine. You have to really look hard to see the scar, not like old days!
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09-05-2015, 10:33 AM	#8
SMOKE EM IF U GOT EM!! Lieutenant Colonel 219 Rep 1,795 Posts Drives: 06' E90 330, 20' F97 X3m Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: L.I, NY iTrader: (1) Garage List 2006 330i SPORT [7.34]	My father had a valve replaced along with a double bypass. Was back on his feet within a few weeks after that and is doing great about a year and half later. Good luck man. Medicine has came a long way recently. __________________ LIVE FAST..DRIVE FASTER!!
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09-05-2015, 08:24 PM	#9
MrPrena Captain 1590 Rep 803 Posts Drives: BMW Hyundai Nissan Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: TB iTrader: (0)	I just finished exercising while watching football. To some, exercise isn't enough. Just talking about this makes me wanna take 80/81mg aspirin right now.
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09-06-2015, 07:55 AM	#10
TrevorM3 Banned 3325 Rep 8,083 Posts Drives: 6.3 AMG Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	my god i'd be so terrified to have surgery based on what i have seen in the OR best of luck
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10-28-2015, 08:12 PM	#12
tccox Captain 97 Rep 809 Posts Drives: 2014 228i Msport Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Charlotte, NC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW 228I Msport [0.00]	Well, it's over. Hardest part Is not being able to drive my 228. It was rough but was totally off pain medicines at two weeks. Just waiting to be cleared to drive. Walking 2 miles a day less than three weeks after surgery. __________________ A peasant and proud of it Save The Manuals!!!
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10-28-2015, 08:18 PM	#13
overcoil Major General 3120 Rep 5,582 Posts Drives: M235i 6spd Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Mid-Atlantic iTrader: (0)	Thank you for updating, glad it worked up well. When do you expect to start driving ?
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11-12-2015, 08:18 PM	#16
mike the snake Captain 70 Rep 643 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Sonoma County, CA. iTrader: (1)	I was born with an irregular heart valve. I was told I was a textbook case, late 40's erly 50's, everything is fine, high blood pressure, then chest pains start. At that point i was told you have a year or so to live. I had my Aortic valve replaced with a mechanical valve. I was told the tissue valves (cow/pig/human) last only about 10 years, and I didn't EVER want to go through this again, so I opted for the mechanical valve. I was 47 at the time. This was a little over a year ago. I have to take blood thinners for the rest of my life (small price to pay). 20 years ago I had issues with opiates and pain pills, I've been clean for over 15 years, and I feared relapsing if I was given opiates for this surgery so I refused them, and went through the whole ordeal with Tylenol. The pain was more than I could have ever imagined, but short lived. I was home in 4 days, and in perfect health now. ALL of my health issues were due to my clogged heart valve. Today, my blood pressure, liver function, cholesterol (65), kidney function, INR (blood thickness), blood sugar (I USED to have diabetes), A1C, everything is all perfect now. It's been a year and a couple months, and I'm feeling better and getting stronger every day, and every day I wake up is a blessing. I AM guilty of not taking full advantage of my second chance, I really need to start walking more, working out, and eating better (I eat well, no fast food, just not regularly. Sometimes I'll go all day and only eat dinner). Anyways, saw this thread, thought I'd share my story. I had my heart valve replaced, and all is fine. You can hear it from across the room if it's really quiet. I'm glad to hear your ordeal came out well.
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11-12-2015, 08:35 PM	#17
overcoil Major General 3120 Rep 5,582 Posts Drives: M235i 6spd Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Mid-Atlantic iTrader: (0)	Mike the Snake - that is a story! Quite remarkable and memorable. Too a long a full life to everyone.
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03-22-2016, 10:34 PM	#18
Just Ask Noob 38 Rep 58 Posts Drives: 2012 335i Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Pensacola, Florida iTrader: (0)	I had my aorta replaced with a Dacron tube, had my Mitral valve rebuilt, and had my Aortic valve replaced with a pig valve 5 years ago. Spent 18 hours in the OR due to fluid retention, surgeon told me afterwards that he wasn't sure I was going to make it BUT...I did survive and am now thriving. Recovery was fairly quick (was 45 y/o) and was back at work full time after 4 weeks. The mental recovery...residuals from anesthesia mainly...took about 5 or 6 months; I was just not firing on all cylinders for a while. Regardless, I know the tissue valve will probably need to be replaced at some point...just trying to milk as much out of the 1st one as possible :-)
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