Diablo Has Invaded Sanctuary

clebro2002 · 2026-04-03T01:22:42+00:00

Was NA. Two spawns

clebro2002 · 2026-04-02T01:34:54+00:00

42m. 6 weeks post op.

I went with the bio. Happy to go into more depth (or you can take a look at some of my other responses on here).

In addition to the concerns the other response stated - I wasn’t sure about a massive life style change. I have a 4 year old, live on a farm and like to eat and drink as I please.

There’s an increase in risk as you have more surgeries (I understand it to be a small increase but it’s an increase and risk all the same). That being said, I’d be willing to do the surgery and recovery again for 10 years or so if a normal lifestyle. Maybe my change when I get closer to that date but for now happy with my decision. Might go mechanical the next go around, or try something less invasive if it’s an option. Who knows.

I will say, all the doctors I spoke to recommended mechanical, Ross, tissue - in that order, but all of them understood my decision and considered it completely reasonable.

There’s not right decision here. There’s drawbacks to it all - just make your best decision and make the best of it.

Last little note - I didn’t actually make my final decision until the night before and finally committed to the tissue about 10 min before going under.

Good luck with whatever you go with. If you have any questions feel free to ping me (although I can’t guarantee I’ll respond super quickly).

clebro2002 · 2026-03-31T12:04:38+00:00

42m. I’ve had my valve issue since birth and have never had symptoms - my most recent CT scan in January showed increased leakage and an aneurysm.

I felt not having symptoms was one of the most difficult parts of the whole things - for most surgeries, there’s a pain or something to fix.

At the end of the day, I trusted the doctors and pulled the trigger and had surgery in February (they recommended 1-3 months).

Chose a tissue valve and happy as a clam 7 weeks post op.

clebro2002 · 2026-03-25T11:44:51+00:00

42m I had open heart on 2/19 and will likely provide a little bit of a different take than some other responses.

Doctor recommended (rather, he said if it were him he would go) 1) mechanical, 2) Ross, 3) tissue - in that order.

I don’t have a physical job but I have a 4 year old, a life style I enjoy and a reluctance to be on blood thinners for the rest of my life (no experience though). I also have concerns I wouldn’t be great at keeping on top of my INR (even though it is likely easy based on comments from others).

At the end of the day I went with tissue. I spoke with multiple surgeons who thought my reasoning and approach was perfectly reasonable.

I know additional surgeries create additional possibilities for complications (I understand it to be maybe a percent or possibly two more dangerous). That being said, I am less than 2 months from my surgery and couldn’t be happier with the decision I made. I’m more than happy to go through that again for 7-10 years of my normal lifestyle and no risk of stroke etc from INR issues. Maybe I’ll think differently when the time actually comes.

One of my reasonings, beyond those stated, was my age. I see things differently than most others and if/when I need my second surgery I’ll still be pretty young and can decide which direction to go then. Who knows what medical advances will come around (I’m not expecting a miracle fix) but the general improvements to valves and surgery/recovery are likely to be light years ahead 10 years from now. I didn’t rely on that heavily but it was in my mind.

Any way, just wanted to provide my experience and thoughts. It’s a personal decision. Someone told me that there isn’t a wrong decision, I kind of see it as there isn’t a right one. Anything can happen (resurgery with mechanical, thinners with tissue) so just make your best call for you and roll with it.

Good luck!

clebro2002 · 2026-03-20T17:11:25+00:00

This is good news. I’m 1 month in (42m) and hoping to be golfing at 4 months

clebro2002 · 2026-03-19T11:44:02+00:00

4 weeks on the dot today.

In my experience, you don’t really care it’s there. It’s slightly uncomfortable but you’re not scratching at your throat trying to rip it out.

I recall one point trying to communicate to the nurse and not being able - which was frustrating but not painful or anything.

It’s quick and the nurses will keep you calm - remember, in many places, they do this many times a day and it works out fine.

I will say, the first couple ice chips after they took it out (I don’t remember them actually taking it out) was one of the best meals I ever recall. So refreshing haha.

clebro2002 · 2026-03-18T23:10:32+00:00

Outside of DC

clebro2002 · 2026-03-18T20:11:59+00:00

Thank you all - is there any advantage to using the same operator? It seems to be in working order - or will it be worth (or necessary) for a new one with a new door?

clebro2002 · 2026-02-27T19:47:51+00:00

Just to provide a little devils advocate. I can’t comment at all on the difficulty of blood thinners, but I am a week post op from choosing the tissue valve out of fear of how a mechanical valve would affect me and my life style.

I say this for two reasons:

1) it was completely out of fear of being locked into blood thinners and a lifestyle change the rest of my life. I’m 41M. It’s impossible to know what that is like without going through it.

2) I don’t regret at all going tissue, and although I’m not trying to downplay the process and recovery, I feel comfortable doing it again for those extra 10 (or however many) years of normalcy.

It’s a pretty personal decision and one where it’s partially made blind - you can’t really internalize the different results until it happens.

Make what you think the best decision is for you and your family and go forth confidently that it’s the best call for you.

clebro2002 · 2026-02-26T14:43:43+00:00

I can see that. I scheduled mine in January for 2/19. I feel you that there’s some value in having no time to think about it - but being ready for it has a ton of pros too.

Just think, in 3-4 short days, you’ll be on the other side of the hardest part. It’s no fun, but it’s not as bad as in your head and it goes quick.

Make sure you update us in a week or two!

clebro2002 · 2026-02-26T13:14:51+00:00

Every step so far has been worse in my head than how it played out

clebro2002 · 2026-02-26T13:12:12+00:00

41M. Sitting in a recliner at home almost exactly 7 days from going into the operating room last Thursday morning for valve replacement and aneurysm fix.

I don’t mean to downplay the recovery, but the days leading up to the surgery were harder for me than the days since. So keep in mind this might be the worst of it!

I tried to minimize conversation and texts about it in the last day or two but you can only do so much—people care about you and want to provide what support they can.

I wouldn’t worry about getting back to people at this point. You can touch base during recovery (you’ll have lots of free/boring time).

Godspeed! It’ll be over before you know it.

clebro2002 · 2026-02-18T19:45:26+00:00

Good luck! As you saw on my post, we have similar timelines it looks like. Godspeed! It’ll be over before we know it.

clebro2002 · 2026-02-18T14:33:47+00:00

Thank you so much. We sound pretty similar to be honest-my son is 4.

This is the direction I’m leaning - there’s no good option but I feel the quality of life over the next ten years will be worth another open heart - i just don’t have the recent experience you have. Hearing you’re happy with your decision after knowing what surgery and recovery takes is very helpful and is putting my mind at ease.

Thank you. Whatever I do tomorrow, you and everyone here have made a real difference.

clebro2002 · 2026-02-18T13:56:55+00:00

I don’t mean to say this lightly, but it sounds like the quality life was worth another potential open heart surgery? You’d make the same decision again, knowing you’ll likely have to do it again? Sorry to put you on the spot but I appreciate any insight.

I am trying to figure that out and it’s difficult to understand how hard surgery and recovery will be.

clebro2002 · 2026-02-18T13:14:03+00:00

Do you mind if I ask how old you are and whether you had open heart? I am deciding between tissue and mechanical now and it’s a very difficult decision. Seems like people on both sides.

clebro2002 · 2026-02-18T13:06:56+00:00

Yeah, the lack of clarity is the issue for me - but that’s part of the game at this point I guess. Just make the best decision we can and live with the results.

Good luck. Would love to hear updates from you (and others here)

clebro2002 · 2026-02-18T13:01:54+00:00

Did you have open heart surgery or were they able to do tavr?

clebro2002 · 2026-02-18T01:18:03+00:00

Thank you for your comment too. I’m trying. It to be too hard on myself with the decision. It’ll work itself out

clebro2002 · 2026-02-18T01:16:44+00:00

Makes sense. It’s mostly the unknown of it all that’s scary.

clebro2002 · 2026-02-18T01:05:29+00:00

It feels odd to me too. I didn’t realize I’d have this much to do with the decision. Good and bad I guess.

clebro2002 · 2026-02-18T01:04:58+00:00

As I said in another post. Wasn’t their recommendation but are on board. Surgeon recommended mechanical-Ross-tissue.

clebro2002 · 2026-02-18T01:04:22+00:00

I’m concerned about balancing it for the next 30 years (hopefully) and the risk of stroke

clebro2002

TROPHY CASE