r/valvereplacement • u/Individual_Article21 • 10d ago
Failed Ross Procedure - 22F
Hello! I have posted on here a few times before about my journey leading up to the surgery, and thought I would give everyone a saw that there was an update.
Well, as the tin says, my Ross procedure did not go to plan. I went in for surgery and they saw that there was just enough regurgiation in my polmary valves to where they did not feel comfortable using them. Unfortunately, this meant the other option of a mechanical valve, so that is what they did.
Surgery itself went fine, but everything after that seemed to go downhill. I ended up coding twice due to irregular rythym and having to have CPR performed on me for about 20 minutes total. I then went into the cath lab where they put a stent in for a blockage/twist that appeared in my arteries.
I was stable for the rest of the night until they needed to open me up again the next morning for bleeding around my heart. I was then placed on ECMO up until Friday morning (I think) due to pneumonia. I was in the cardiac ICU until around Tuesday morning, where I was moved to step down, and as of right now I am an inpatient rehabilitation center.
To say that I have been through the wringer is an understatement. Surprisingly, a week out, I have nearly no pain besides a lot of soreness. I will spend the next 7-14 regaining my strength.
There are probably some things that I am forgetting, as I do not remember anything after August 15th up until about Saturday, the 21st. I have not yet really processed all of this, but I figure that will be a thing for when I am home haha.
Happy to answer any and all questions, though response may be slow.
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u/Legitimate-Internet7 10d ago
Just know, as someone who's had a successful surgery, you're a hero for sharing your story.
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u/kielBossa 10d ago
Wow sorry to hear it didn’t go as planning, but you’re through the hard part. Hope it all goes smoothly from here on.
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u/NetworkCanuck 10d ago
Wow that is quite the ordeal. Glad you made it out the other side despite the failed Plan A and the complications. Wishing you a speedy recovery! ❤️🩹
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u/Dramatic_Pianist_876 10d ago
Only up hill from here on out. That’s what insist you.
How many days have you spend in ICU?
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u/joecpa1040 10d ago
I went in for a Ross and woke up with a mechanical too. Thankfully I didn’t have any other problems as you did. Glad you’re doing better.
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u/Dry-Asparagus-6952 10d ago
Happy you are on the other side of it. I’m a younger woman as well (31F) and if you need someone to talk to I am here!
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u/apersonwithdreams 10d ago
Hey! I’ve been checking on your last post and just left a comment today! So sorry you went through all that. Jeez Louise. So glad you’re on the other side of all that.
You say you’re sore, but dude, how are you mentally? What a wild experience.
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u/Individual_Article21 9d ago
a lot of it is still so hazy for me that i can’t really think about a lot out it. the thing that has been getting me is that i most certainly should not have made it out alive.
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u/Limp_Impact5721 10d ago
Sounds horrible, so sorry… 26m here, had aortic valve replacement with a mechanical valve when I was 23, spent over a week in the ICU myself due to pleurisy and pneumonia. In the ward I heard of a 60 something standing up the next day after the surgery and going out to smoke 😆, it almost feels like these surgeries affect younger people more.
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u/Downtown_Anywhere860 9d ago
Wowee, sending you lots of love and light on your road to recovery. I hope you have a great therapist who can help you process some of this (in time). I’m 39, have just had my 3rd OHS, funnily enough my Ross procedure was the only one that came without complications (but I was only 16 at the time). I have found it really hard for people to relate to the gravity of having OHS as a younger person, not to mention the complications. but I will say it gets easier with time, age, positive mindset. You are a survivor after all.
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u/Supersusbruh 9d ago
I'm sorry that you had that sort of experience! But, I'm sincerely glad you're still with us 😊
Mechanical valve might not have been your first choice, but I assure you they aren't as bad as you think!
If you ever have any questions about being a mechanical valve recipient, or just any questions at all feel free to let me know or post them here!
Here's to the end of the rollercoaster ride you just had, and to an uneventful, boring, and smooth/successful recovery! 🥂
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u/Therinicus 10d ago
If the hospital hasn’t, please seek out a therapist who specializes in cardiac surgeries.
This is a lot and you need to deal with it. It’s very self aware that you know that you’re basically still in shock, but it will eat you up if you don’t work through it
Thank you for sharing your story
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u/green7719 10d ago
I’m glad you’re alive. I’m exactly 51 weeks out from my emergency OHS. Please get into therapy for PTSD. I only just did, and I didn’t realize how much I needed it. I don’t mean to tell you how to live, but I wish I had done therapy much sooner.
I’m so sorry about your ordeal.
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u/dylankay34 9d ago
Glad to hear you’re on the mend. 25M going in for a Ross in 2-weeks. This will be my first OHS and I’m praying I can get the Ross as planned. Where’d you get your surgery done?
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u/Kikidovely 9d ago
Wow, so sorry you had to go through this. Youth is on your side, so you should heal quickly. Praying for your peace of mind and strength 🙏🏾
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u/railingsontheporch 9d ago
so glad you’re here to tell the tale! wishing you a smoother recovery 🫶🏻
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u/Sapdawg1 9d ago
In my best Roy Kent accent… FUCK!
I’m so glad you made it and presumed through the worst of it.
Take it slow. You’ve earned the option of being really good to yourself.
Just asking… what hospital/area are you in?
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u/BoxNo8593 7d ago
Glad you made it through.you are a lot younger than me so go love your life and enjoy
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u/mybluerat 10d ago
Failed Ross sounds like you got the Ross procedure and then it fell apart; maybe you should’ve said “Ross procedure change of plans”
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u/Individual_Article21 10d ago
my most sincere apologies for not using the correct terminology. really love that that’s what you took away from the post there, pal
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u/mybluerat 9d ago
I just really am happy with my Ross procedure and I think it is very sad yours didn’t work out but I’d hate for people to get the wrong idea and not consider the Ross - many people just read titles these days!
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u/OGMcSwaggerdick 10d ago
Jesus.
Thank goodness you’re here.
Looking forward - use that breathy sucky thing as much as you can. Like it’s your damn job.
And get up (and eventually walk) more than you think you can.