Procedure

(Page 2)

The Recovery

After surgery I was moved from the recovery room to the intensive care unit. There I would spend the next twenty-four hours under close observation. Continuously monitored by nurses through blood pressure, EKG, and various checks and tests, I slowly recovered and eventually got my neck IV and the three lower abdomen drainage pipes removed.

Blowing into the ‘sucking portable machine’ to vertically raise three balls was not an issue (an exercise to remove any excess fluid left in my lungs and to prevent them from collapsing), but eating was a different matter. After the corrugated garden hose was removed from my throat, my raspiness and soreness would linger for days, making swallowing food that was not liquefied or puréed rather painful. But in time, even that pain would subside after being moved to the Cardiac Ward to complete my recovery.

A bit lethargic and giddy from the Oxycodone Hydrochloride and Extra Strength Tylenol, I quickly began showing progress by independently sitting up in a chair and walking the halls several times a day to stretch my legs, strengthen my ligaments, and keep the internal fluids moving. By now my feet had swollen like a 300 pound 60 year-old pregnant woman who was retaining water, but that too would subside, I was assured.

It took six days to be finally released from the hospital, but before my departure I got a brief visit from Dr. Poostizadeh. He was pleased with the outcome of the surgery and my progress. Because of my healthy aortic root, he used an On-X mechanical valve and Sorin graft (rather than the combined Sorin valve/graft) during the operation. To repair my dilated ascending aorta, he also made a second incision just below my right shoulder blade, as the photo above shows.

I could have done without the second incision, but what mattered was everything working as expected. In fact, according to Dr. Poostizadeh, I was the proud recipient of the largest available On-X valve because of the size of my heart. You hear that ladies? ...

My Implants:

  • Valve: 27/29mm ON-X (Serial #: 189503; Model #: ONXACE)
  • Graft: Sorin 32mm Gelweave Graft

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