Replacement.
Im alot younger though, was 46.....With me it was a 7 day hospital stay, then alot of rest 2 mnths or so.
Must take coumadin and various other meds , see dr often, she will need help to get around and meals. Is anyone planning to stay with her?
Let me know ok?Lupne

Yes, she will stay with me for as long as she needs too. Can you help me as to what to expect? Is she going to be in alot of pain? Any side effects from it? Her doctor is from presbyterian cornell in manhattan & he is suppose to be one of the best there. Any information you can give me would be helpful as to how to care for her when she gets home. She is my mother in law & even though she is 82 she looks like in her 60's. I am very worried because of her age but the doctors seem very confident that she will do fine. Easier said then done. Being that you went through it & your about my age can you tell me what to expect from this surgery? Do they use staples, steri stripes, etc...Any infor would be greatly appreciated.

Used a type of wire in my chest as well as a glue I think? Not real sure of that one, I was in pain of course still take darvocet sometimes.
I have severe arteriosclerosis as well so I take a variety of meds, I know she will have coumadin. Is she getting a tissue or mechanical?Mine is a st judes.
If she is in good health , 2 months and she will feel very good , but about a year total , she will have to go slow and not lift anything heavy, and just listen to her body.
Let me know ok? When is she going in?

She is going in tommorrow dec 8th. She is in good health except for a leaky valve & high blood pressure. She dosent look a day over 65 & is 82...She is very active but the valve leaking has slowed her down where she is out of breath & tired all the time. She is getting a tissue valve. Did they staple you or use steri stripes on your incision? Thank you for whatever information you can give me so I can prepare myself being I will be the main one taking care of her.

With a tissue valve she will need coumadin, just for a short time probably, they will watch her 'inr' to see if she is clotting.She will need cardiac rehab in a few months ask her dr about this. Also when taking coumadin watch the greens she eats as they contain vitamin k which will thicken her blood, they do not want that. She may have to take plavix and aspirin as well. She will be okay, they are very good at this.
Mine was such an emergency, so it may be different than hers. I also have other factors, heart disease as well..So different..Let me know okay?
As for her pain , well its to be expected, left side for me to this day is sensitive.
She may get depressed and tearful, which is also expected as this is trauma... Sometimes drs will prescribe antidepressants, let her talk about it... Many family members tire of it, but they need to see this is very hard on a person, let her talk..I wouldnt leave her alone for a while, as her age makes a difference and harder to heal.
Praying for her today, lupne