22F - Ross Procedure
Hello everyone!
I have posted on here several times about my journey over the past few months of finding out I would need open heart surgery. I have officially decided on the Ross procedure where I will get my biscupid valve and aortic aneurysm fixed, and will be having it done on August 17th by Dr. Craig Elkins in the OKC area (if anyone just so happens to have had their, or any, procedure done by him, I would love any and all info. I have heard good things so far, but am still worried).
I decided on the Ross procedure due to the fact that I am so young and would at least like the option of having kids. The Ross seemed like the better option for that compared to a tissue valve, as I am hoping the results will last longer. If I for some reason cannot do the Ross once he's in there looking at everything, I think I will just go ahead and do the mechanical regardless (which I realize contradicts my prior statement, but still). It just does not seem worth it to be to do a tissue valve if he cannot do the Ross.
I just finally scheduled the surgery yesterday and am feeling incredibly anxious about it. I honestly don't even know what to feel, overall. I keep trying to console myself with the fact that there's a 1% mortality rate while in surgery, and that the odds are obviously incredibly thin, but can't help hoping the universe doesn't play some sick trick on me (will be talking about all of this in therapy, so do not worry about that lol). I am also trying to not put that out into the universe, but it is hard. I just really want the surgery to go well. It is going to be a rough few months of trying to be positive about it. I honestly just cannot wait for the day I feel like what I imagine a normal person feels like, and to not constantly have heart palpitations or feel fatigued constantly.
With all of that being said, does anyone have any tips for pre/post op stuff? Along with what your recovery from the Ross looked like, for those that have had one? I have a pretty good idea of everything I'll need or what that first week/few weeks after will look like, but would absolutely love whatever information possible.