u/Splashpadmermaid

Aortic Valve Replacement coming up

Hello!

I’m 34f & was diagnosed with Quadricuspid Aortic Valve 2 months ago and it has progressed severe regurgitation & stenosis. I’m having OHS on June 1 to get a On-X mechanical valve.

I’ve been reading medical websites, Reddit forums, etc. to try to get ready for recovery but I got some mixed feedback from my surgeons head nurse.

She told me that I won’t need to sleep on a wedge pillow or in a recliner, won’t need anything more than motrin (not that I want to stay on opioids), and will be able to return to my full life after being released from the hospital. My stay is estimated to be 7-10 days.

I’m not sure if she’s correct or what’s going on so I wanted to ask this forum what recovery post hospital is going to be like?

I expected a lot of sleeping, some walking, trying to eat, and being pretty laid out the first month.

EDIT: I will be doing a full sternotomy!

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u/Splashpadmermaid — 6 days ago