I want to thank all of my family members on the Fitness Forum who sent me their collective good kharma. I don't think the outcome would have been as good without it!
I had five outcome goals of surgery:
1. Survive surgery
2. Not get a staph infection
3. Not need a pacemaker
4. Get out as quickly as possible
5. Be able to reuse my aortic vave
I was able to accomplish the first four goals. The surgeon had pre-warned me that he did not have much success saving valves when the aortic root was dilated so that was no surprise.
They discharged me today, 3 days after surgery, partly because I had accomplished all their goals in recovery (self sufficient, ambulatory, able to eat and drink), partly because they didn't want to keep me in a germ-filled hospital and run the risk of infection, and because they needed the bed.
The surgeon installed a homograft human cadaver aortic root/aorta/aortic valve. The surgeon said I can expect 12 - 15 years, but the Physicians's Assistant said they typically last 20 years. So, at age 68, I'll go through another surgery, but one less complicated because replacing a valve in a homograft is the same as replacing a valve in a existing aorta. And, who knows how sophisticated and non-invasive the surgery will be in 20 years? By going with a cadaver valve, I do not need Coumadin. Those of you in the medical industry know how serious and potentially dangerous this stuff is.
It was clear that my conditioning and overall health sped up the recovery time substantially. One doctor stopped me in the hallway while I was walking around the ICU and said I was one of the few patients he had ever seen who was out in 3 days. (My goal was to be out in 4 days). While I was out, there was some discussion of my low heart rate and the nurse said that I was an athlete with a 51 resting heart rate (although that is just one of many conversations I don't remember).
The only pain I have is in my sternum, as would be expected. My abdominal muscles hurt when the drainage tubes were in place, but that went away shortly after they were removed. The PA thinks the sternum pain will ease up in 1 - 2 weeks. I was told repeatedly that my pain threshold is high (not as high as Rambo's, but higher than most).
As for resuming exercise, I can start walking immediately as far as I can muster, probably 1/4 mile for now, as many times / day as I want and can. In 2 - 3 weeks, I can start doing non-impact cardio stuff, ellipticals, stairmaster and stationary bike. After 6 - 8 weeks, I can resume running and biking outside. I forgot when I can resume swimming, but I'll find out when I see them in 3 weeks for my followup. The surgeon also said I could start working with weights over the party line 10#, as long as I isolate the muscles and don't use the pecs or lats. It will be at least 2 months, maybe more iv ever, before I do a bench press again. The PA let me stay on the calcium channel blocker even though it doesn't suppress heart rate as much as beta blockers because of my active lifestyle. It was clear that these surgeons are able to think out of the box and not rigid in standard recommendations and protocols.
Overall, I give Dr. Richard Agnew, his team, and the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville my highest rating! If anyone in Florida needs open chest surgery, you can't do any better than this combination.
Richard
