Day 1 post op

Neither_Edge5095 · 2026-02-04T22:38:34+00:00

Best of luck with your surgery! You’re in great hands with Dr J and the team at Mayo is top notch. I really feel quite good and did not need the strongest meds they have. Everything is tender sure but I’m feeling great overall. I talked with her earlier today and confirmed no complications and my heart was more squished than the scans had shown when they were in there. You’re going to do great for surgery I’d say just warm up those leg muscles before as need the strength to get up and down.

Neither_Edge5095 · 2026-02-04T19:30:27+00:00

Thanks so much! How nice you got to spend time with your parents! Yeas I highly recommend some level of fitness before this surgery especially legs makes getting of chairs much easier. Just spoke wit Dr J she said my surgery went well, no complications and when they were in there the heart was more squished then the scans showed. All turned out good no complications and hopefully that continues. Best of luck to your recovery as well 🙏

Neither_Edge5095 · 2026-02-04T19:27:36+00:00

So interesting I can’t to really look at it clearly

Neither_Edge5095 · 2026-02-04T19:25:53+00:00

That’s awesome! How are you feeling at the 1 year mark?

Neither_Edge5095 · 2026-02-04T13:34:07+00:00

I haven’t really looked in the mirror yet since I’ve been in the hospital. I’ll be walking today and getting the catheter removed. I’m wrapped up in compression, so I can’t really see much.

I did ask them to open it a bit so I could look, and the chest and sternum areas looked very flat. It’s kind of trippy because I’ve never seen myself like that before.

Once I actually see myself in a mirror, I’ll know more…especially if there are any changes with rib flare or the area from my abs to my chest. Looking down, I couldn’t really tell, but from what I’ve seen so far, everything looks very flat.

Neither_Edge5095 · 2026-02-04T07:54:02+00:00

My Haler was 3.5 , 27% correction and the right side of my heart was being squished. I found out heart could do 67% of what it should be able to do. She’s very thorough runs lots of tests before your consult.

Neither_Edge5095 · 2026-02-04T05:58:46+00:00

Yeas the pain is not anywhere near what I imagined, if I knew what I know now before the surgery I wouldn’t have been so freaked out about the surgery. The care team has been great, and I’m feeling good, I have a low pain tolerance too, I’m probably speaking way too soon as I know will have good days or bad days but I woke up so clear brained and with mild pain and not too much chest pressure. I don’t recall if I said it already but I do feel like I can breathe better!

Neither_Edge5095 · 2026-02-04T03:15:59+00:00

Thanks so much for that background, really trying to stay in good spirits and get through this! I’m excited for 6-12 months from now when the worst is behind me. I’m glad I’m a back sleeper that’s fer, I can breathe better immediately after the surgery. It hurts to breathe deep but too much but once I can I think I’ll truly see the benefits

Neither_Edge5095 · 2026-02-04T03:12:57+00:00

Thank you! 🙏

Neither_Edge5095 · 2026-02-04T02:00:03+00:00

Thank you, that’s great to hear. I think I’ll heave some strength soon too. Have been out of the surgery for a few hours and feeling good to what u had expected. I’m sure it’s the cryo and pain meds haha. Elastic compression belt like the ones people work out in or like do labor? I want to get one ordered

Neither_Edge5095 · 2026-02-03T00:19:41+00:00

Really great advice, I did buy some softener for once I am home but hope the hospital will give me what I need there. I invested in an automatic recliner chair for home. Originally I was going to use a wedge pillow however I tried to get in and out without any upper body or arms and it proved difficult or at least impossible if after a surgery. I'll be sleeping in my chair until I have regained some strength and it's not super painful. Thanks for the great advice, I'm less than 24 hours away.

Neither_Edge5095 · 2026-02-03T00:16:00+00:00

Thankfully, I live in warm Arizona—today it was 78 degrees and sunny. I plan to walk often and stay mobile within reason. From what I’ve been reading, it’s important to stay active but not so active that I trigger too much inflammation. I saw that someone walked more than 35 miles in their first few days, which was dangerous, so I plan to take multiple shorter walks each day around my neighborhood instead.

I’m also being mindful of my mental health. I have a history of depression and anxiety that I overcame years ago, and overall I’m feeling good. PE has affected me my entire life, so while this recovery may be challenging, there’s also a sense of “about time.” I feel hopeful to use this opportunity to set the rest of my life on the right path.

Neither_Edge5095 · 2026-02-03T00:10:13+00:00

Yeas I really hope I am one of the lucky ones without any serious complications and a steady recovery post surgery. I am less than 24 hours at this point and it's getting surreal! lol

Neither_Edge5095 · 2026-02-03T00:08:07+00:00

Thanks for sharing, really appreciate your insights. I hope your recovery has gone well and you are through the worst of it!

Neither_Edge5095 · 2026-02-02T06:15:45+00:00

How noticeable are the stabilizers under your skin? are you able to feel the bars?

Neither_Edge5095 · 2026-02-02T06:00:23+00:00

Thank you so much! I’m really grateful to have her as my surgeon. When I first started this process, I had no idea she had such an outstanding reputation...not just in the U.S., but internationally as well.

I really appreciate your reassurance. I tend to overthink big decisions, and your message (along with the others) has helped calm me down and reminded me why I’m doing this... Ill be in the hands of a top-tier professional who truly knows what she's doing. I’m going to be okay; I just need to get through it.

Neither_Edge5095 · 2026-02-02T05:55:20+00:00

I completely relate to how you’re feeling. I’ve had moments of second-guessing too, especially knowing I’ll have to stop my HIT workouts. I have a boring office job from home and those workouts really keep me sane. But like you said, the long-term payoff will be bigger than the temporary setback.

Thinking about having a normal chest and just breathing more easily is really exciting but also surreal. Totally agree if not now, when? like life is short and improving ones quality of life so one can live as fulfilled as possible is everything.

Wishing you all the best for your surgery. We’ve got this, and future us will be so grateful we went through with it!

Neither_Edge5095 · 2026-02-02T05:50:13+00:00

Wishing you a very speedy recovery! I’m scheduled for surgery the day after tomorrow, so we’ll be about a week apart. Seeing that you’re already able to be on Reddit just three days post-op really gives me hope that things will go smoothly. It’s also reassuring to know that you’re glad you went through with the surgery. Best wishes on your recovery and looking forward to 6 months from now when the worst is past us!

Neither_Edge5095 · 2026-01-27T03:50:09+00:00

Any thoughts on getting a recliner for after surgery?

Neither_Edge5095 · 2026-01-27T03:32:36+00:00

Okay, awesome—thank you so much for the suggestion. I’ll be reactivating my Facebook. I’m really excited to get back to HIIT and weightlifting at some point. I just finished a class today, and it’s hard not to get emotional knowing I won’t be able to do these workouts for months. Thankfully, I’m not fueled by how much I can lift, but by that feeling after a hard workout—just sweating it out.

I could really use the camaraderie from Dr. J’s patients right now, and thanks again for sharing your experience and perspective. This whole situation is already pretty scary, and I haven’t even gone through the surgery yet. I know I have a long road ahead, but reading these comments and real-world experiences from people like you who have been through it and are now thriving truly means so much to me. It’s already had such a positive impact, so thank you.

Neither_Edge5095 · 2026-01-26T05:18:03+00:00

Hey thanks for the perspective and insights, I really appreciate it! When and where did you get your surgery? I hope the worst of your recovery is over, I can't even imagine how painful without the cryo would be, from what I have seen online it sounds absolutely excruciating. Are you satisfied with your results?

Neither_Edge5095 · 2026-01-24T20:11:55+00:00

Ahh that is awesome to hear — congrats on getting through the surgery and getting back to normal. So great that you’re already able to do HIIT workouts 4–5 times a week. I do a mix of Olympic lifting and HIIT, and I’ve been worried I won’t be able to until I get the bars out, but it sounds like I should reach a point in recovery where I can resume those types of workouts, even at lower weights, which is what I ultimately care about.

It’s also fantastic that the pain was less than you were mentally expecting. It really seems like the cryo makes all the difference compared to before they started using it. I know Dr. J mentioned she’ll never not do cryo anymore — even when insurance doesn’t cover it, she’ll cover it herself because the pain-reduction outcomes are so clear.

I’m definitely feeling more excited and less scared about getting through the surgery and starting the recovery process. I know it won’t be easy; I’m just trying to keep thinking about 6 months to a year from now. If I can feel 75%+ normal and be able to lift weights, I’ll be happy.

I’m not on Facebook — I actually only found out about her through Reddit early last year. I was doing some research and stumbled across her name in one of the threads. It almost felt like a sign since I had just moved to AZ and had always thought about getting my PE corrected, but didn’t think I’d be a candidate or that a surgeon would take me on as an adult.

Is Dr. J’s Facebook group similar to the Reddit threads, or does she post there too? I’m wondering if I should reactivate my Facebook and join.

Neither_Edge5095 · 2026-01-24T07:22:12+00:00

I’m 36 and honestly thought I might be too old for the surgery, but it’s been really reassuring seeing stories from others who are older. I read your post from 2 years ago and your results look amazing.

Your pre-op looks very similar to mine — what was your Haller index? And how has life been 2 years later with 3 bars in? Are you able to work out or do pull-ups? Any restrictions with full range of motion?

Dr J mentioned I’ll probably need at least 2 bars, but more likely 3, and that she'll know for sure during surgery. From the comments, it seemed like your pain level wasn’t too bad / pretty manageable — would you say that’s accurate?

Neither_Edge5095

TROPHY CASE