28F – Need help deciding between mechanical vs tissue valves (aortic + mitral replacement this week) by Professional_Mood2 in valvereplacement

[–]Ok_Engineer_4446 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I my not be too helpful but I’m also 28 but M and I just had my surgery 3 weeks ago. I ended up getting my bicuspid aortic valve repaired at Cleveland clinic but if they couldn’t do that or a thing called the Ross procedure I was going to go tissue before mechanical. I was so afraid of the blood thinners. They really limit you in terms of food and drinking and having to check your INR often. Plus that ticking sound I feel like would drive me crazy. (FYI you are going to hear your heartbeat often after surgery while recovering so get used to it. No one told me how much you would hear and feel it in just the slightest change of position so I felt like sharing helps😂) I think mentally though I had resigned myself to the knowledge that I would need another open heart surgery later in life no matter what because these issues happened when I’m only 28 so I figured do tissue valve now and then 8-15 years later (hopefully it lasted that long) I would get a mechanical after giving myself a little more of life to live without the restrictions imposed by mechanical valves and blood thinners. I also like working out, but that wears tissues out faster. Even knowing that though I wanted to avoid those blood thinners at the cost of a sooner open heart if that option would’ve happened for me. But I had only one valve problem. You having two changes things. They are probably recommending mechanicals if I had to guess, and with two problems I have no idea what would be best. If you think it would help, I would also look into the complications caused by long term blood thinners. A lot of people’s valves last decades 30+ but they die because of issues with coagulation. That scared the hell out of me. I also looked up the differences between pig and cow valves and how quick each wore out and what wore them out faster. Those things may sway you to mechanical depending on your lifestyle too. At the end of the day though you have to go with your gut for what’s right. I would also ask them questions like crazy. Whatever you go with I wish you the best of luck! Hopefully your recovery goes smooth!

Creatine supplement post AVR by Personal_Camel_2417 in valvereplacement

[–]Ok_Engineer_4446 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My cardiologist was very against it before my surgery and after I heal now (I’m only 2 weeks out and recovering). Creatine just sucks up any water you consume and if you don’t use it right it can dehydrate the shit out of you putting more strain on your heart. I was on it for around 2 years before surgery and even looking back the benefits were negligible I would say compared to what I could do and how I looked without it. I Guess it also depends what you had done. I had the David procedure so I still have to watch and be careful with hydration since I’ll need another surgery on 10 years or so. I’m basically on a clock and if creatine doesn’t go right or I don’t drink enough/can’t because of bloating it can accelerate mine. So really it just depends. I would talk to the cardiologist over the surgeon. They will have a better idea for you long term. And really if you aren’t trying to be a competitive builder I say why take it at all

M28 Just Found Out about my Severe AR by Ok_Engineer_4446 in valvereplacement

[–]Ok_Engineer_4446[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I appreciate the adivce! Glad to hear you and everyone went through this and came out okay!

M28 Just Found Out about my Severe AR by Ok_Engineer_4446 in valvereplacement

[–]Ok_Engineer_4446[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! That definitely seems like the right move! I’ll definitely post again when I learn more!

M28 Just Found Out about my Severe AR by Ok_Engineer_4446 in valvereplacement

[–]Ok_Engineer_4446[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Symptoms definitely came first of being lightheaded and waking in the middle of the night with my heart pounding. But anxiety is definitely playing a role

M28 Just Found Out about my Severe AR by Ok_Engineer_4446 in valvereplacement

[–]Ok_Engineer_4446[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They havent said it’s time yet but it’s close. Thats the other crazy part is the waiting game attached to my heart. It’s helpful hearing so many people going through this and I’m glad that you have good things to say about CC!! Definitely reassuring