I have 4 family members who have had valve replacement surgery. Two of them went to Cleveland Clinic which I believe it probably the best in the USA for this. One was able to have his surgery done minimally invasively but the other 3 were traditional open heart surgery.
It is amazing how quickly you can recover from this surgery compared to years ago. You definitely want a very experienced surgeon. My mom went to the best guy at UPenn and years later when she had an echo for another reason the tech asked “Did Dr. XXXXX do your heart surgery? I can always tell his work on the echo because it is so good” Now that’s a good surgeon!
Visit with cardiologist today. All test results came back normal, PFT, blood work, EKG. But I am too overweight to have any further tests. My valve is not yet at the point for surgery, but if it gets to that point, he couldn’t operate on me because I would surely not survive. Told to clean out the pantry and lose weight. Buy an at home blood pressure machine and take my blood pressure twice a day. Will return in a month and do a 14 hour fasting blood test, to check my lipids, which he may treat. He mentioned that I had more calcification in my valve than previous tests had shown. He said that shortness of breath was because of overweight. The weight is causing the stress on the heart. He did not want me to exercise, and I had to beg him to let me go back to water exercises. I asked if I could go back to birdwatching and he said I was in no condition to go hiking. I know that exercise is an important part of losing weight. I guess he’s scared I’ll keel over dead if I exert myself. Didn’t even dare ask about the TAVR, as that step is way down the line. My husband is now being put on insulin for his diabetes, so we’ll be doing the weight loss together. Funny thing is, I’ve lost 10 pounds this year, and husband has lost 50 in the last couple, so by all accounts, we should have been buried already. We’ll both follow the advice and lose the weight, and hopefully, when the time comes, I’ll be able to have the surgery.
I’m shocked he won’t let you walk. Exercise is a basic thing here. Would he send you to cardiac rehab where you can do supervised exercise? Can you take your reports and go get a second opinion? Weight loss is not going to happen without at least some form of mild exercise. What tests does he say he can’t do because of your weight?
He says you would not survive the surgery due to your weight? I’m surprised. I could imagine his saying your outcome will be improved if you lose weight, or suggesting that you lose weight while waiting until you do need surgery, but I’m surprised at his conclusion.
When I was diagnosed with aortic stenosis needing a valve replacement, I was ordered not to exercise at all. People literally keel over with this condition. On the other hand, if you need to lose weight in anticipation of having surgery, mild exercise will help. I think asking if you could go to cardiac rehab where you’ll be monitored is a great idea! A second opinion isn’t a bad idea either.
I too am curious about why he thinks you would not survive surgery - just due to the weight? My mom had an even more complicated aortic aneurysm repair when she was 78 and about 30 pounds overweight.
I would definitely get a second opinion. Also, weight loss is at least 80% accomplished in the kitchen not the gym, so you should be able to lose some weight even without exercise.
I’ve been going to cardiac rehab for almost five years now. The folks are great. There are RNs, exercise physiologists, a (FREE) nutritionist, and a crash cart on site. Some of the nurses first saw me when I was in ICU, not that I remember! They rotate between rehab and the cardiac units to keep their skills sharp. If you’re there on orders of your doc, they will check your BP, blood sugar, pulse, exertion rate, etc. My insurance covered it at the PPO rate, which makes sense because it’s a LOT cheaper than an emergency cardiac admit.
The facility I go to is 130 feet from the ER and two floors below the cath lab. I don’t really need medical supervision at this point, but I feel better knowing there is competent staff if something were to happen. I have to say cardiac rehab was the best part of the whole terrifying experience. It felt good to have some semblance of control over my body again.
I know I wouldn’t have survived my heart attack if I hadn’t already lost 45 lbs in the previous year, but I still had a lot more to lose when it happened.
Thank you so much for your comments. I am a firm believer of exercise, not just for weight loss, but for my mental health. Because of my cellulitis issues, I’m hesitant to get back in the pool just yet, but really would like to do some mild form of exercise. I am doing some walking, and my household chores are more activity than the usual housewives, though I work as well. I have a lot of animals, and my caretaking of them takes over an hour every morning. I’ve got my blood pressure monitor and taking my twice a day readings and recording them. I’m wearing support hose every day all day. When I go back in a month to the doctor, I will ask him about the cardiac rehab for exercise, or maybe something that can be set up at my wellness center. My wellness center is actually associated with the hospital, is about a block away, so I’m willing to bet we can do something that way. Worth a try. I already pay a monthly membership, so perhaps insurance considerations won’t get in the way. And we all know, it’s all about the insurance. Thank you @mourningsybil for chiming in about your experience with no exercise. I understand why the doc is cautious, but I also know it will be a long battle to lose the weight without exercise. My sister has been dieting for over a year in anticipation of hip surgery, but does very, very little exercise, so she’s only lost 20 pounds in the one year. I’m looking at 100 pounds that need to come off. I’ll “keel over” before he’ll do surgery at that rate. Thank you all so much for your support.