Although heart valve surgery can be a very challenging process, my research suggests that most patients look back upon their surgical experience as a transformational ticket to a “second chance” at life.
That said… Here is Robin Williams, the comedian and Oscar-award winning actor, describing his thoughts on heart valve surgery, the emotions it conjures, second [...]

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I just received a great question from Sandra about heart valve disease, enlarged hearts and valve surgery.
Sandra writes, “Hi Adam, I read that you had an enlarged heart before your surgery. I was wondering if it has returned to normal size since the surgery?  I had mitral valve repair due to severe mitral regurgitation and [...]

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One of my critical heart valve surgery recovery tips for patients is… to attend a cardiac rehabilitation program following heart surgery.
From my own personal experience and patient research, I have learned that cardiac rehab programs provide significant benefit to the physical and emotional well-being of patients during heart surgery recovery. Unfortunately, I have also learned [...]

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Aaron just emailed me an interesting question about physical limitations following open heart surgery.
He writes, “Adam - I was just given the news that my aortic valve is at the end of its rope. I knew it would happen someday as I was diagnosed years ago with stenosis. However, I wish that someday wasn’t now. [...]

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I just received a very interesting email from Mandy about heart valve surgery, vertigo, headaches and vision complications after heart surgery. As you can read below, Mandy is asking for all of our help.

Mandy With Her Two Children
Mandy writes to me, “Hi Adam, I had valve replacement on September 16, 2009. I am 34 years [...]

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I just received a great question from Steve about heart flutters and palpitations following heart valve surgery. In fact, Steve’s question brought back a very distinct memory from my own heart surgery recovery.
Steve writes, “Hi Adam - I had my aortic valve replaced, with a pig valve, 7 weeks ago today.  During the past couple [...]

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A fundamental, unexpected challenge of my heart surgery recovery was severe cardiac depression. After my aortic valve replacement, cardiac depression hit me like a ton of bricks. I was feeling fine one day and the next… Total emotional disaster.
When I launched this website, one of my key objectives was to educate patients and caregivers about [...]

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I just received a concerned email from Sean about nerve damage after heart surgery. I provided some thoughts for Sean below, but I’m curious to know if you experienced this heart surgery complication. Here is Sean’s story:
Hi, Adam!
I’m recovering from aortic valve and aortic root replacement surgery. It turned out my problems were congenital - [...]

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Yes.
That is my answer to Sally’s question, “Did you lose weight after heart surgery?”

In fact, I lost ALOT of weight after heart surgery. Robyn (my wife) just reminded me that I lost about 15 pounds during the three months after heart surgery. Before surgery, I weighed 187. Then, I dropped to 172. Then, I ate [...]

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Here’s an inspiring email from Melissa, a recovering patient from Sydney, Australia. With her approval, I thought you might like to read it:
Hi Adam,
I’m emailing from Australia, I’m 34 and I had my open heart surgery 4 months ago (on 14 April to be exact).
I had a quirky congenital condition that needed to be fixed [...]

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