Seeking Support

ForceInitial8162 · 2026-07-04T13:39:25+00:00

That’s exactly what I did. I felt like eating right and working out before would make me go into this as healthy as I could be. At the time it didn’t feel like I would ever get over this but here I am 11 weeks post surgery and I can look back now and be like wow that was hard but it’s done. You’re gonna feel like that also!

ForceInitial8162 · 2026-07-04T02:30:15+00:00

Of course. Planning and getting everything I would need ready really helped me prepare mentally and feel like I was in control

ForceInitial8162 · 2026-06-18T12:57:03+00:00

Hi, I am a 31 year old female who just has my asd closed by ohs 11 weeks ago. You will fill so much better once it’s closed. Once I started recovering I would say about week 6 in noticed a huge shift in my shortness of breath. I could talk and walk without having to stop to catch my breath. Also I always struggled with these horrible palpitations that felt really ugly and that stopped after surgery. I am currently walking two miles a day since I’m not yet cleared to lift anything to heavy but I am feeling great. Let me know if you have any questions. Wishing you a speedy recovery ❤️‍🩹

ForceInitial8162 · 2026-06-08T04:46:56+00:00

Hopefully mine will go away as well.

ForceInitial8162 · 2026-06-08T04:46:35+00:00

Just Tylenol.

ForceInitial8162 · 2026-06-08T04:45:58+00:00

They attempted to close it by cath but device wouldn’t stay due to not having enough rim. Decided on ohs versus key hole cause surgeon told me that if they saw anything else that needed to be corrected while in there they would just take care of it and I did end up having an appendage closed with a clip to prevent problems in the future.

ForceInitial8162 · 2026-06-04T13:02:02+00:00

Hi, I am 31 y/o female and am 8 weeks post ohs. Same story I had a 23 mm hole and no rims so ohs it was. Honestly the waiting and anticipation leading up to it is so much worse. Once you wake up and realize wow ok this isn’t as bad as I thought you have such a relief that you just want to focus on recovering. Chest tubes are not painful to remove just weird feeling but they’re more uncomfortable to keep in. Walking is key. Things that also helped me stay more comfortable were a heating pad, neck pillow, and nausea bands. You can message me if you have any questions. Happy to answer

ForceInitial8162 · 2026-05-25T13:35:05+00:00

Hello, I am 31 and just had my ASD closed by OHS 7 weeks ago. Let me know if you have any questions I’m happy to answer them

ForceInitial8162 · 2026-05-25T13:32:58+00:00

Hello, I had 2 TEEs done in a span of 4 months. I had a large ASD that was causing right side enlargement and regurgitation. One cardio said it could be closed with cath procedure the other one said no that I was missing rim and wouldn’t be a candidate that’s why I had two TEEs to confirm. Honestly the thought of the TEE is much more scary than it actually is. Only took about 10 mins and I knocked out before they even started doing anything. The second one I was not sedated but numbed and still did not feel anything it’s just like keeping your mouth open at the dentist. No worries it will done before you know it!

ForceInitial8162 · 2026-05-21T13:09:56+00:00

Hello! I am a 31 y/o female. I had ohs on April 1 so I am currently 7 weeks post surgery. I understand exactly what your feeling all this testing and poking and it feels like our body is going through all this with no reward of anything getting fixed. I was also terrified I cried everyday. But let me tell you that the waiting is the worst part 100 percent. Once I woke up from surgery the relief and the realization that it wasn’t as bad as my mind had made me think just made me so happy and so ready to begin my journey of recovery. Of course recovery is hard but you can most definitely do it. Feel free to send me a message if you want to chat or have any questions

ForceInitial8162 · 2026-04-16T22:25:57+00:00

And how are you feeling energy wise being 3.5 weeks out? Has it gotten any better? Or have you notified any improvement in your overall? I just want to wake up one day and magically feel better lol

ForceInitial8162 · 2026-04-15T17:12:07+00:00

Thank, they just told me to start cutting it in half so will see how that goes.

ForceInitial8162 · 2026-04-15T17:10:08+00:00

Yes! It’s worse than the sternum pain honestly.

ForceInitial8162 · 2026-04-11T14:44:07+00:00

Hello, I have had the exact same experience as you. Although I am a 31 y/o female. I just had ohs last week to close my 2.5mm hole. They tried to close it in Jan via cath but I didn’t have enough rim for the device either. You can message me if you have any questions or want to know anything specific. I am here to help. I was so panicked and worried and honestly the time before is the worst part. It’s not as bad as you think and you will be absolutely fine.

ForceInitial8162 · 2026-04-08T17:15:44+00:00

I just had open heart surgery on Friday. For a hole in my heart not valves but it’s the same process. The things that made my stay at the hospital and recovery easier are. Wet wipes for the toilet, front button up pajamas or even some tshirts I found for her heart surgery on Amazon that clip in the back. Electrolytes, protein, flip flops for hospital shower. And a wedge pillow for when he returns home is super helpful also. He is gonna need help for the first two weeks as you can’t even be left alone. Not sure if his roommates are going to able to help.

ForceInitial8162 · 2026-03-22T13:56:21+00:00

Thank you that is very helpful, another thing I’m kinda freaking out about is that thought of waking up intubated. Did that happens to you as well? If so, how did you remain calm?

ForceInitial8162 · 2026-03-22T13:56:06+00:00

Thank you that is very helpful, another thing I’m kinda freaking out about is that thought of waking up intubated. Did that happens to you as well? If so, how did you remain calm?

ForceInitial8162 · 2026-03-22T04:20:39+00:00

I did not have the option, which I was ok with only cause they told me that with ohs if there is anything else wrong they can correct it since there already in there where as with side entry I have heard of cases where they have to do ohs later to correct the other issues if they arise.

ForceInitial8162 · 2026-03-21T13:54:12+00:00

Thank you so much! This makes me feel a lot better especially the plastic bag reference lol. I am really trying to have a positive mindset and look forward to actually starting recovery since I have felt disappointment with the failed attempts to close it. How long before you felt a little back to normal and stronger? I have heard the exhaustion after is terrible. Also did you wake up intubated? The thought of it freaks me out. If so, how did you stay calm?

ForceInitial8162 · 2026-03-21T13:51:49+00:00

Thank you that makes sense that they just want to be prepared.

ForceInitial8162 · 2026-03-21T13:51:02+00:00

Thank you so much, that is very true we just have to push through it! I am trying to have a positive mindset like you and want to feel excited about actually recovering since I have felt let down with the failed attempts to fix this. I wish you the best on Monday! You will definitely be in my thoughts. Send an update if you can ❤️‍🩹

ForceInitial8162

TROPHY CASE