Hi there
Following up on Tissue or Mech (34M) : r/valvereplacement
I’ve done it; I’m on the other side of surgery. 27mm Mechanical Valve (I don’t know the brand yet, but probably St. Jude).
My journey began in February when I was diagnosed with Severe Aortic Regurgitation with a dilated LD of 52mm and Pulmonary presion at 44 (double the normal) thanks to a heads-up from my dentist. I mentioned I had a headache during an appointment, so they checked my blood pressure; that prompted me to get my hypertension looked into. From there, I went to a specialist and finally to the cardiologist who diagnosed me after a very thorough 3D echocardiogram and told me I would need open-heart surgery. That was Dr. Miriam Zuñiga (who happens to be my same age). I cried a lot during the first two weeks of that month. During those weeks, I put my affairs in order, spoke with my family, and left certain "things" prepared with instructions. It was also during this time that I started my process with the IMSS (Mexico’s public healthcare system) to have my surgery at a high-specialty, high-volume clinic.
Between February and March, I researched and bought what I needed, and I started looking for forums and support groups to help me understand a 34-year-old condition in just two months (I didn't know I had BAV or that I would need surgery).
March: I had my first appointment. By the first week of March, I was cleared for surgery based on the tests I brought with me. During this month, my "admission" was rescheduled five times. On March 11th, I finally got admitted. March 18th was the open-heart surgery. March 25th, I was discharged from the hospital with an INR of 2.9.
As of today—post-op, with a 27mm mechanical valve (still don't know the brand, the public health system hasn't told me)—I wouldn't recommend a second or third surgery. My body is recovering very well, but it is very invasive, and the permanent side effects after a surgery like this are many.
Currently, I am taking one pill of Warfarin and Losartan as per medical instructions. I hope to be taken off the Losartan over time.
BTW: I been eating what I want just carefully and monitoring my INR
Thank you, everyone...