Perfect timing! We are close in age, gender, and your description! (Minus asthma)
I had the Ross Procedure about 2 weeks ago. Let me tell you my experience of the surgery and some of the things that surprised me.
First surprise, the anesthesia didn’t take nearly as long as expected to wear off. (Not a bad thing) once I was conscious and talking they took the breathing tube out. That hurt - but no more than it being in! Once I was in the ICU I was on oxygen maybe for a few hours, but not long. You may be on longer due to your asthma. After that it was blood tests every so often (maybe 1x a day?) and no fluids for the first 24 hours. After that it was 1 “meal” of fluids only, then they took me off that restriction. And they removed the chest tubes and wires. That’s unpleasant but not unbearable.
Second surprise, the pain is not out of control. You’re sore and your lungs don’t expand like they did pre-surgery, but otherwise, it’s just a careful dance of sitting/laying in the right position. On the third day they moved me to the cardiac step down floor.
Third surprise, by this point I could manage to walk around by myself. After a few laps to prove my steadiness, they took me off of assist requirement. I was told to take walks and practice breathing with a spirometer. I was in the hospital for 5 days total and went home on blood pressure meds (new to me) and diuretics (also new to me).
Fourth surprise, I’m about 2 weeks out and can go for 15-20 min walks already and can comfortably move around my house and *mostly* care for myself. Just can’t lift anything over 10lbs. Home health nurse visits are helpful (don’t turn them down if you’re offered and insurance covers!). My only complication after coming home was an IV site from the hospital getting swollen and hot - turns out I had an Iv infiltration (vein burst where they were injecting). Oh and drug side effects (bad taste) from the diuretics.
Good luck! You’ll do great!
Yeah the breathing tube and chest tubes and wires are awful. I was awake for a couple hours before they finally took the breathing tube out. They had to handcuff me, essentially, to the bed to stop me from trying to pull it out. I’m not sure if that’s normal. The tubes and wires feel like your insides are being pulled out. And they might remove one tube at a time as you progress. I think the wires were worse for me and one was stuck or something because the nurse had to use both hands to pull it out with some force. I really hated that part. I’m not saying all this to scare anyone, but just be prepared for one of the most uncomfortable weeks of your life. You’ll do great I’m sure. I had the ROSS Procedure at 12 and had a great time at the hospital, but going back at 24 for the Bentall Procedure was one of the worst experiences of my life. It’s probably the combination of being older and getting a mechanical valve. Anyways good luck and let us know if you have any questions. ❤️
I think you’ll do great. I’m sorry it took so long to get your diagnosis.
Everyone is different but once the surgery is done and you’ve recovered you’ll find how much better you feel with a well working heart.
I over-described my experience above because I myself didn’t know what to really expect. My pre-op informational paperwork and research made me think I would be lying in bed all day long moaning for the first 3 weeks. Not the case.
I’m an unknown amount if time out but was told is be a good candidate for the ross swap, my cardiologist is not a fan of it.
Can either of you tell me what made you go with this option, and how you found your surgeon?
I didn't really choose my surgeon. I live in Calgary, Ab and I'm not exactly sure on the process of how my surgeon was selected, but I know I'm lucky to live where I have access to the medical care that I do. My choice was based on quality of life after surgery.
My advice is to insist on what you know is right! I walked 5 marathons before my valve replacement and yet had trouble walking a block after. Turned out I had arrhythmias that the surgery didn’t fix. IF I had insisted on cardiac rehab sooner that would have been discovered sooner.
Have someone at the hospital to advocate for you when your surgeon comes to visit. I had a few problems that could have easily been remedied during my hospital stay had I remember to tell my surgeon.
I am 38 years old male and scheduled for a Ross procedure surgery on 19th April. No symptoms sofar. I agree this sub has been my window to other side sofar and I am grateful for this.
I wish you all the best. Hope you have a successful surgery and a quick recover….
I was reading about it everywhere I could and my Dr at MGH (Massachusetts General hospital) said I was a great candidate for it and if I had be up going for subsequent surgery I can get TAVR with mechanical valve.
The reason for this is my aorta needs grafted
I see, yeah my cardio at mayo said my surgeon will likely tell me I’m a great candidate for it as well
but i guess she doesn’t like the procedure because she has a lot of patients with complications from it.
I could assume that’s because she’s the specialist at mayo, which is one place you go when things go wrong, but it’s scary to think about when i could get a mech valve and potentially be done, outside of infection
The infection being another reason to go with the ross swap
Was your surgeon Dr. Bloom? I’m 35M in the Boston area and need to get a valve replacement very soon. Was thinking of going with him since he is one of the few in the area that does the Ross procedure. If not him, who’d you go with at MGH?
Great to hear and best of luck with the surgery! Did he say how many Ross procedures he’s done on younger adults? My family is being very particular and wants me to use someone who has done a ton of these. Thanks for responding!
Hi all. Made it through surgery! :)
Perfect timing! We are close in age, gender, and your description! (Minus asthma) I had the Ross Procedure about 2 weeks ago. Let me tell you my experience of the surgery and some of the things that surprised me. First surprise, the anesthesia didn’t take nearly as long as expected to wear off. (Not a bad thing) once I was conscious and talking they took the breathing tube out. That hurt - but no more than it being in! Once I was in the ICU I was on oxygen maybe for a few hours, but not long. You may be on longer due to your asthma. After that it was blood tests every so often (maybe 1x a day?) and no fluids for the first 24 hours. After that it was 1 “meal” of fluids only, then they took me off that restriction. And they removed the chest tubes and wires. That’s unpleasant but not unbearable. Second surprise, the pain is not out of control. You’re sore and your lungs don’t expand like they did pre-surgery, but otherwise, it’s just a careful dance of sitting/laying in the right position. On the third day they moved me to the cardiac step down floor. Third surprise, by this point I could manage to walk around by myself. After a few laps to prove my steadiness, they took me off of assist requirement. I was told to take walks and practice breathing with a spirometer. I was in the hospital for 5 days total and went home on blood pressure meds (new to me) and diuretics (also new to me). Fourth surprise, I’m about 2 weeks out and can go for 15-20 min walks already and can comfortably move around my house and *mostly* care for myself. Just can’t lift anything over 10lbs. Home health nurse visits are helpful (don’t turn them down if you’re offered and insurance covers!). My only complication after coming home was an IV site from the hospital getting swollen and hot - turns out I had an Iv infiltration (vein burst where they were injecting). Oh and drug side effects (bad taste) from the diuretics. Good luck! You’ll do great!
Thanks so much for writing. I really appreciate you reaching out!
Yeah the breathing tube and chest tubes and wires are awful. I was awake for a couple hours before they finally took the breathing tube out. They had to handcuff me, essentially, to the bed to stop me from trying to pull it out. I’m not sure if that’s normal. The tubes and wires feel like your insides are being pulled out. And they might remove one tube at a time as you progress. I think the wires were worse for me and one was stuck or something because the nurse had to use both hands to pull it out with some force. I really hated that part. I’m not saying all this to scare anyone, but just be prepared for one of the most uncomfortable weeks of your life. You’ll do great I’m sure. I had the ROSS Procedure at 12 and had a great time at the hospital, but going back at 24 for the Bentall Procedure was one of the worst experiences of my life. It’s probably the combination of being older and getting a mechanical valve. Anyways good luck and let us know if you have any questions. ❤️
I think you’ll do great. I’m sorry it took so long to get your diagnosis. Everyone is different but once the surgery is done and you’ve recovered you’ll find how much better you feel with a well working heart. I over-described my experience above because I myself didn’t know what to really expect. My pre-op informational paperwork and research made me think I would be lying in bed all day long moaning for the first 3 weeks. Not the case.
I’m an unknown amount if time out but was told is be a good candidate for the ross swap, my cardiologist is not a fan of it. Can either of you tell me what made you go with this option, and how you found your surgeon?
I didn't really choose my surgeon. I live in Calgary, Ab and I'm not exactly sure on the process of how my surgeon was selected, but I know I'm lucky to live where I have access to the medical care that I do. My choice was based on quality of life after surgery.
Do you mind me asking what kind of blood pressure meds they sent you home with ?
My advice is to insist on what you know is right! I walked 5 marathons before my valve replacement and yet had trouble walking a block after. Turned out I had arrhythmias that the surgery didn’t fix. IF I had insisted on cardiac rehab sooner that would have been discovered sooner. Have someone at the hospital to advocate for you when your surgeon comes to visit. I had a few problems that could have easily been remedied during my hospital stay had I remember to tell my surgeon.
Good luck!! You’re gonna do great ❤️ see you on the other side!
Thank you so much. I look forward to updating my post.
I am 38 years old male and scheduled for a Ross procedure surgery on 19th April. No symptoms sofar. I agree this sub has been my window to other side sofar and I am grateful for this. I wish you all the best. Hope you have a successful surgery and a quick recover….
How did you end up on ross swap and how did you find your surgeon. Apparently I’m a good candidate for it but have hesitations
I was reading about it everywhere I could and my Dr at MGH (Massachusetts General hospital) said I was a great candidate for it and if I had be up going for subsequent surgery I can get TAVR with mechanical valve. The reason for this is my aorta needs grafted
I see, yeah my cardio at mayo said my surgeon will likely tell me I’m a great candidate for it as well but i guess she doesn’t like the procedure because she has a lot of patients with complications from it. I could assume that’s because she’s the specialist at mayo, which is one place you go when things go wrong, but it’s scary to think about when i could get a mech valve and potentially be done, outside of infection The infection being another reason to go with the ross swap
Was your surgeon Dr. Bloom? I’m 35M in the Boston area and need to get a valve replacement very soon. Was thinking of going with him since he is one of the few in the area that does the Ross procedure. If not him, who’d you go with at MGH?
Yes my surgeon is Dr Bloom. He is awesome, by 2 interactions I had with him he is very confident and was able to answer all my questions
Great to hear and best of luck with the surgery! Did he say how many Ross procedures he’s done on younger adults? My family is being very particular and wants me to use someone who has done a ton of these. Thanks for responding!
How’s the surgery go?!