open heart surgery

**Farm boy** · 24th July 2011, 06:14 PM

Hi all
I got told i need open heart surgery(Bentall Procedure) last wednesday and i am still soaking it in, i also have 2 masses growing in my throat that have to come out first
has anyone had open heart surgery here and what was the recovery like. 3 or 4 months i guess?
in preporation for all of this i am going to clean my shed out, so i may have a few tools to get rid of keep an eye out on maket place if interested
thanks
Greg

**NCArcher** · 24th July 2011, 06:41 PM

Bugger. Sorry to hear of your health issues Greg.
Recovery times for OHS have drastically reduced in recent years. I had a friend at archery who insited on shooting less than a fortnight after surgery. He's still around.

Good luck with the surgery and hope you have a speedy recovery. Keep us informed.

**Chesand** · 24th July 2011, 06:45 PM

Hi Greg
I had quad bypass surgery just on 13 years ago and while it is not something I would recommend I do not look back on it with any great trauma. I was home within a week, back at work (not a highly physical job) and driving inside 6 weeks. The total recovery time is 3 months to allow the breastbone to fully knit.
If there is a Cardiac Rehab course available to you after the surgery, I highly recommend that you do it. It should be covered by private health insurance if you have it.
I have not looked back since the surgery and am able to all the things I did before. The major drawback is travel insurance where they hit you with an extra premium because of "a pre-existing condition"
Above all, maintain a positive attitude and I am sure that you will come through OK

Hope that helps

**wheelinround** · 24th July 2011, 06:46 PM

Greg have an uncle who is in the Zipper club opened up 3 times as well as mates at the turning group all long time survivors. Take care and we'll hear from you within days of being released I am sure.

**artme** · 25th July 2011, 08:25 PM

Just read up on the procedure Greg. Not a pleasant thing to go through but, as others have said, these days it is almost bread and butter work for good surgeons.

The thought of the masses causes me more concern.

All the best mate! Trust things go really well.

**Foo** · 25th July 2011, 08:39 PM

All the best with it mate!

**ian** · 25th July 2011, 09:15 PM

you're in relatively good company, Kevin Rudd is shortly to have similar work done on his heart -- for a second time, he's worn out the first replacement valve, so the prognosis is pretty good

**Barry_White** · 26th July 2011, 03:10 PM

Well Greg I had my Quad 6 years ago when I was 67 and it took 3 months for the bones to heal in my chest but other than that I was fine. I did participate in extra curricular activities two weeks after.

Since my prostate operation in March this year though all extra curricular activities have been curtailed for ever because all the vital bits for that have been removed.

**Farm boy** · 26th July 2011, 08:15 PM

thanks for your messages of support guys

,the waiting is the worst part
i am pretty cool about the op ,i was hoping they take the lumps out first but they look like they might be doing the heart first

i see the throat surgeon next monday and will know more then about the goolies
i was hoping they do both ops at once but they dont believe in 2 for the price of 1

i will give you guys an update when i find out more
Greg

**Farm boy** · 2nd August 2011, 01:10 PM

Just a quick update
went to throat surgeon yesterday i am getting a partial thyroid removal with a 50/50 chance of cutting the sternum (my goolies are growing down into my chest cavity)
If they find cancer ( ther are 4 types) 1 type bad 3 are ok then they can get the rest of the thyroid or if ok go for open heart 3 weeks after that

back to woodwork in 3 or so months touch wood as the old saying goes
my wife felt that bad she let me buy a 42 inch lcd tv for the bedroom so i can recover in piece

Greg

**NCArcher** · 2nd August 2011, 02:42 PM

Originally Posted by Farm boy

my wife felt that bad she let me buy a 42 inch lcd tv for the bedroom so i can recover in piece

Greg

there's always a silver lining somewhere amongst the mess.
Best of luck with the ops.

**kiwigeo** · 13th September 2011, 01:25 AM

Originally Posted by Farm boy

Just a quick update
went to throat surgeon yesterday i am getting a partial thyroid removal with a 50/50 chance of cutting the sternum (my goolies are growing down into my chest cavity)
If they find cancer ( ther are 4 types) 1 type bad 3 are ok then they can get the rest of the thyroid or if ok go for open heart 3 weeks after that

back to woodwork in 3 or so months touch wood as the old saying goes
my wife felt that bad she let me buy a 42 inch lcd tv for the bedroom so i can recover in piece

Greg

All the best with the surgery Greg...hope you have a speedy recovery and youre back in the workshop real soon.

**Ashore** · 13th September 2011, 02:30 AM

Just saw this greg , let me know if theres anything I can do
Russell

**Farm boy** · 13th September 2011, 08:27 PM

Hi Guys thankyou for your thoughts
they took 1/2 my thyroid out, benign mass growing around the wind pipe
i do an angiogram on thursday then see surgeon the following tuesday to organise surgery
i would like to ask any of you guys take warfarin, there is a chance if they put a mechanical valve in i will be on warfarin for life
i would prefer a pig or cow valve but it depends on what the doctors find with the angiogram
greg

**Foo** · 13th September 2011, 09:25 PM

My fingers are crossed for you Greg!

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