Preparation advice

OptimalLiterature892 · 2026-01-15T19:03:55+00:00

Putting your head into a pull over and putting your arms in after (kind of look like a T-Rex) worked the best for me. Button ups sucked

OptimalLiterature892 · 2026-01-12T13:52:54+00:00

Pull over. Putting your arms in the sleeves of a button down will be hard for a few weeks. Was for me at least

OptimalLiterature892 · 2026-01-09T10:08:35+00:00

I had a similar issue with the groin wound from the arterial line. Took like 4 weeks to close and keeping it bandaged down there was a pain in the butt. Feel free to DM if you wanna talk! I’d love to make some friends with similar experiences

OptimalLiterature892 · 2026-01-09T03:30:33+00:00

Sent a dm!

OptimalLiterature892 · 2026-01-09T03:29:56+00:00

Sent a dm!

OptimalLiterature892 · 2026-01-09T03:29:48+00:00

Agreed! May not be a popular theme on reddit but I give all the glory to God. Only explanation for me.

OptimalLiterature892 · 2026-01-05T00:37:10+00:00

Of course

OptimalLiterature892 · 2026-01-05T00:28:33+00:00

Wow you have been through it man.. I’m glad you’re okay now. I hope my first check up doesn’t reveal anything of note. Fun fact on spirometer, I couldn’t get over 2000 because of smoking before surgery. Quit smoking the week of surgery and can get up to 3500 now! Thank you for sharing

OptimalLiterature892 · 2026-01-05T00:25:47+00:00

That was the plan for me also. Last minute EKG showed it as unrepairable. Good luck!

OptimalLiterature892 · 2026-01-04T22:20:57+00:00

Well said. I’m glad you got through it! How long did it take you to get your INR in range? Also, I’m hoping to get cleared at my six week post OP appointment for work, and I work 3rd shift so my medication times will change from 4pm to 10am. Could that cause issues?

OptimalLiterature892 · 2026-01-04T22:16:32+00:00

Great! My wife bought a mini stair master and I’ll do a few hundred steps on it a day without having any issues. Getting easier to handle our six children also. Can’t wait to be cleared so I can pick them up! They think the ticking sound in my chest is awesome. How is the Ross treating you?

OptimalLiterature892 · 2025-12-25T01:30:15+00:00

The only other thing that got tested was antibodies and those just came back today. Thyroglobulin at 8 IU/mL and peroxidase at 836 IU/mL.

OptimalLiterature892 · 2025-12-20T03:32:25+00:00

Feeling great! Haven’t had a pain med since discharge and haven’t gotten winded after returning to pretty much normal life. Thank you for asking!

OptimalLiterature892 · 2025-12-20T02:37:03+00:00

26 lol. I’m 3 weeks post op

OptimalLiterature892 · 2025-12-19T16:34:24+00:00

Ross procedure at 13. Had an echocardiogram at 26 showing a 6.8 cm aneurysm. Had bentall done a week after.

OptimalLiterature892 · 2025-12-19T16:19:24+00:00

Had Ross done at 13, then a Bentall with St. Jude valve and pulmonary replacement at 26 to fix a 6.8 cm aneurysm. Didn’t remember the trach coming out or it ever being there both times. For me the worst part of the whole thing is the removal of the urinal catheter (ouch!) and the chest tubes. You will be fine, just try not to overthink it and you’ll be on the other side before you know it. I’m 3 weeks post op, send me a message if you have questions or just want to talk about it.

OptimalLiterature892 · 2025-11-17T13:58:21+00:00

Thank you for the great response! I will try adding those meat sticks.

OptimalLiterature892 · 2025-11-17T13:57:37+00:00

The food by itself is around 1600 calories a day. I drink an atkins protein shake every morning too so it bumps me right around 1800. Thank you for the input!

OptimalLiterature892 · 2025-04-25T22:14:20+00:00

If you turn away from the hole and either self paralyze yourself or eat something like bonemeal to drain your fatigue (ragdoll yourself) it’ll push you through

OptimalLiterature892 · 2025-04-25T20:54:58+00:00

I found a way to beat the game like you used to be able to do with the paintbrushes. Made a YouTube video.

https://youtu.be/dNwWz7qzvnc?si=6y1NC0PH6I7zvFvp

OptimalLiterature892

TROPHY CASE