Two weeks post-op and a few questions

[mielkep]

I'm two weeks post op(mechanical aortic valve and partial root replacement), I'm feeling pretty good except for a couple things. My feet and ankles are swollen as well as my waist line a little bit. I saw a nurse at my cardiologists office while I was getting my pro-time level checked. I never got to see the cardiologist since I was a last minute appointment. Anyway, all they did was order some more blood work, I'm going in tuesday for an echo and some sort of bubble test(not sure what that's all about) and I see my cardiologist next thursday. Any suggestions as to what it might be? My BP is really low and my inr is really high, not sure if there's a correlation.

Thanks for any input!

Paul

[Georgia]

Are you weighing yourself every morning? It should be done first thing without clothes/shoes. If so, have you had a sudden weight gain? Fluid retention is very common after surgery and you should be watching for it. It's also quite dangerous.

[Cris N]

What meds are you on?

Cris

[JohnnyV_46]

Yep, you don't want to gain a bunch of weight real fast....Fluids filling up somewhere. I gained 6 pounds overnight. I also developed a fever and they found out I had a Bacterial infection in my blood from the Pic line they had installed. That took them a few days to figure out! I spent 8 days back in the hospital while they cleared it up.

[ALCapshaw2]

Fluid buildup, especially in the feet and ankles, can be a sign of Congestive Heart Failure (CHF). Tell you doctor IMMEDIATELY (OK, first thing in the morning, even it is Saturday, someone should be on call).

The usual treatment is an Rx for a diuretic (usually Lasix or it's generic).

'AL Capshaw'

[mielkep]

My weight gain has been very gradual, about 5 pounds in a week. I'm taking coumadin and asprin only. It's a little unerving that nurse I saw and the doctor she talked to didn't seem too worried but you guys are concerned.
Thanks for the info!

Paul

[Georgia]

You'll find that we tend to be much more attuned to "issues" pertaining to all stages of valve surgery than the docs and nurses responsible for our care. As was reported on this site at one time, only 10% of open heart surgeries are for valves. Therefore, most surgeons and nurses aren't as experienced in dealing with valve patients as with bypass patients.

That's also why many of us have found we have to be proactive about our own care (knocking docs' heads - "Hello!?!?! Anyone home???").