Life After Aortic Valve Replacement

An aortic valve replacement surgery involves removing a damaged valve and replacing it with a new one. The total recovery time is 2 to 3 months.
There are two types of valves used - Mechanical valve or Biologic (Tissue) Valve.

A liquid or light diet with low amounts of salt is recommended for 2-3 days post-surgery.

Take a sponge bath for the first 3-4 days.

The shower is allowed after 5 days.

Keep the incision dry when you shower by keeping your back turned to the shower spray.

Light cooking, tidying up, flower arranging, and clothes washing can all be started after 2 weeks of surgery.

Driving can be resumed after around 6 weeks.

Return to work after 6 to 8 weeks if the job mainly involves light work. Labour jobs can be resumed after 3 months.

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[teok]

I just received my aortic mechanical valve 3 weeks ago. I felt OK and better than before. There is nothing to worry about the surgery, the ticking sound, the types of food that you have to avoid. Just take your blood thinner medicine regularly and everything will be okay.

[Yolodontfail]

I don’t know why I look at this stuff. But. I had tvar 3 days ago. One day in hospital overnight. I walked at least 6 miles in 4 days. Climbed stairs. It was like opening a gate that had been closed for years. Enjoy and look forward to the change.

[shirleyrichards]

I had my AVR done April 1992, last year had a look see how valve was doing at that time needed a stint! The valve is a St Jude doing awesome at 77!

[olabeg]

I had my aortic valve replaced on September 28, 2023. Occasionally, I have pain in my chest incisional site. I feel a lot better. ❤

[relaxingdede]

Mi s-a înlocuit valva aortică cu o valvă aortică mecanică în 1996, când aveam 38 ani, la Institutul pentru boli cardiovasculare C.C.Iliescu - București. Anul acesta am împlinit 66 ani și ticăitul valvei se aude la fel de clar ca la început, deși au trecut atâția ani ❤

[larryfine]

To all of you scaring the hell out of people, keep your comments to yourself. I am having this surgery in less than a month. I'm 65, biscupid valve, receiving a tissue valve as the replacement. I met with the surgical team. They perform more than 400 of these procedures per year at their hospital. Complications occur in less than 1% of patients. Those with complications here are probably NOT telling the entire story. If I think of it, I will post back after surgery.

[sasilekhagopinath]

Avr done 2001 .I am alright since 20 years .taking anticoagulant regularly

[TheDarkDutchman]

The music gave me immediate aortic valve problems due to the stress.

[judyferguson]

I am seeing so many of us had a bicuspid aortic valve that led to complications, including myself. But if you research it, they say it is rare😮❤

[brian]

I had a bicuspid aortic valve and was told that I had severe stenosis but I felt quite good. The medicos were pushing a replacement valve and I agreed to consider a TAVR but was told that this was not fully tested and a bioprosthetic valve would be better. The day I walking into the hospital was the last day I felt well. Since then I have had dizziness, out of breath, over whelming fatigue, and once I fainted when I was pushing myself physically. I found out that a month after surgery that the Edwards valve they used was still in the clinical trials phase and I did not agree to be their lab rat. I agree with the doctors that left untreated, the bicuspid valve, would have degenerated, however I lost about 40% of my capacity in a single poor decision to replace a functioning valve. I am now 2 1/2 years post surgery and my lack of capacity to achieve things that had been routine prior to surgery, indicates a failed surgical outcome in my view.
I'm not sure if there is a market on e-bay for used donkey valves, but I would get this out if it were possible.

[jeanheard]

One of my vale’s are getting smaller I might need surgery I am so scared I mean you know dealing with the tinker that keeps me alive is scary

[lisakirkland]

I have aortic stenosis and they are going to do valve replacement. Open heart surgery. I had a sister die on the table. 10 years ago happened this same surgery.

[kdelcxe]

Do NOT underestimate the effects of invasive heart surgery on your moods, cognitive impairment, personality changes, and memory…..

[garyjene]

I had what is known as a Ross operation in September 2022. Due to complications was in the hospital for 5 weeks. They did not encourage me to walk until 4 days before I was released from the hospital. The 1st wk I was home I used a walker for stability, then a cane in the 2nd wk, carried it with me while on walks the 3rd and after that left the cane at home. A month after being released, I rode a bike a short distance.

[eleyashowlader]

I have done AVR due to infected endocardities.
Please share experience or good suggestions.

[ariscanete]

aortic valve replacement patient here... also a mechanical valve as replacement

[VeteranHedonist]

I'm on my second valve replacement at 48 years old. (First one at 38). I had endocarditis both times.

[farianfarin]

My mother has 2 rings inside her heart and she needs avr immediately. Will it affect the surgery or her life expectancy in any way?

[calvinquesnel]

I am getting ready to have my valves replaced.. they tell me 2 days in hospital and a much shorter recovery period that indicated here.

[garydergut]

I had a cow valve put in me when I was sixty years old I had to have my aortic valve replaced. Mitral valve still leaks. Was in the hospital for 14 days. Heart couldn't pump off the fluid . I couldn't drink or have more that 8 ounces of fluid a day . If it melted at room temperature it was considered a liquid. . I'm not 72 and walking everyday about 5 miles .