I'm 69 years old. I have a bicuspid aortic valve instead of the normal tricuspid valve. This makes a bovine valve a better choice than the Tavr valve due to fit. I appreciate all your positive responses. Thanks.

Mine was bicuspid too.

Bryce

Is that the valve that was once replaced with a pig’s valve? Ask your wife to get the hams and loin before your procedure.

Just kidding. No experience here. I will add you to my prayer list. Please keep us posted on your recovery.

Moving ahead with surgery. Tests and education tomorrow. Surgery on Tuesday, have to be there at 5:30, sure weighs heavy on Mary and my minds. No trapping or Deer hunting for me this year. I'll be back stronger and better in 2027.

You got this !!!

They do this surgery multiple times a day with good success.


It is never good to 'take counsel of your fears'. Things rarely turn out as badly as your own anxiety and imagination would suggest.

I suspect you will be hunting and trapping sooner than you think !!

What white17 said. You'll come through this just fine!

Perfectly normal to be scared and nervous. Keep in mind the docs doing your surgery most likely do it all the time and know exactly what they are doing. Them doing procedures like yours is about as routine as doing an oil change for a mechanic. You're going to be in good hands and can feel confident in their care and judgement.

I wish you my strength and thoughts.

Moosetrot

I had major heart surgery a little over year and a half ago. Like you, I was pretty stressed out the closer the day of surgery got.

Like always, I hoped for the best but prepared for the worst. I made sure my will was up to date and my affairs were in order because I read that there was a 1% chance I could die.

As usual with these types of surgeries, everything turned out good. A year and a half out I feel great. I have more energy and endurance than I did in the ten years prior.

I was a few months away from 67 when I had the operation.

As White and others have said, you got this. The odds are really in your favor.

My Ma had that done way back in the 80s and I’m sure it’s way better now but she had no problems with it or complications, it is major surgery though so it is s going to knock you down for a good while for recovery

Funny story but 20 years later she had a blocked artery in her leg and the same doctor did the surgery on that as well and he remembered her and everything about the surgery she had, now he might have just looked up the records to make himself look good but considering he was rated as among the best in his field I don’t think so

I'm 81. Had my aortic valve replaced two years ago. TAVR procedure. My valve is made from the pericardium or bag that surrounds a cows heart. I was back home and out side walking the road the afternoon of the second day. It was done in June, I had a full trapping season that fall/winter. I think I was told no extraordinary physical exertion for two weeks after. I did follow those directions but got on with life right away. I bought a big bag of dog food before the operation so I didn't have to do heavy lifting right after. Only disappointment for me was I wanted to watch the TV monitors while the work was done and they wouldn't let me, knocked me out.

Just go in there and trust the doctors. Get it in your head, they know what they are doing and likely could do it in their sleep. Relax and let them do their thing.

Please report back here when you get back home.

36 years ago. 1991. Age 41. St. Jude metal valve, Dacron ascending aorta, 3 Teflon washers installed. Not many before me had it done. They have come a long way since then.

You will be fine. Had my second one done in May. In and out in a week more or less. Valve Replacements are more Normal than anything they were 10 years ago. Let us all know when you are home. Just remember NO LIFTING MORE THAN 7 POUNDS for twomonths or you could tear the new Valve.

I’m just now seeing this… before I go to bed tonight,, you will absolutely be in my prayers… sending them up to the greatest physician of all.

.

My son had this done about 7-8 years ago, with a pig valve. It was open-heart. He came through well.
That said, he now needs a replacement. Pig valves have a "shelf life". Get the mechanical valve. One and done.

Make sure you do the research on a Mechanical Valve. My Cardiologist was dead set against because of my Diabetes. Also with a Mechanical Valve you have to make sure to take the Medication needed to keep your Body from rejecting it.

I had my second Valve replacement last May. They did tne surgery at 6am. By 5pm that evening they had me up and walking. You know with that gown that lets your Butt stick out!!! My wife finally got an extra Gown and put it on me Backwards.

I had an aortic valve replaced a little over a year ago, they went up through my groin, It was a piece of cake, lol. My only complication was throwing up over 15 times after the procedure. They said it was from the anesthesia. It drove the nurses crazy changing my bedding.

They were going to do mine that way but they went thru my chest. Next time they are going to do it that way.