ISU's release on Fred Hoiberg's open heart procedure to be performed in a week. I'll be heading to Ames to write a full story complete with his comments later this afternoon. http://cyclonefanatic.com/basketball/mens/news/hoiberg-to-undergo-open-heart-surgery-in-a-week/
News release: Hoiberg to undergo open heart surgery
- Thread starter RobWGray
- Start date
Surgery tomorrow got me wondering...
What is typical recovery for this procedure? 2 weeks in hospital and 2 more off your feet? Is that anywhere close? Of course CFH will cut that in half. Will CW be allowed at the Mayo Clinic to report on how things are going?
What is typical recovery for this procedure? 2 weeks in hospital and 2 more off your feet? Is that anywhere close? Of course CFH will cut that in half. Will CW be allowed at the Mayo Clinic to report on how things are going?
I read somewhere that they are hoping he will be back for part of the July recruiting period, or something like that. I would imagine he will be able to do some things before then, but probably has to take it a little easy until then. I'd rather have him take it really easy for as long as he needs to.
I had a valve repair done six weeks ago, so I should be able to shed some light. I was in the hospital for 3 days, returned to work in 4.5 weeks (though I could have probably returned a week earlier, if I wanted to push it) and I'm almost up to jogging again in the next week or two.
Fred is having a valve replacement with a mechanical valve being put in, this a similar procedure, except he will need to go on blood thinners. My guess is this won't change the recovery period much, rather it will likely be more of a lifestyle adjustment for him. This means no or limited amounts of leafy green vegetables, monitoring your blood every so often (I had been hearing every two weeks), and also needing to be careful of avoiding minor injuries, such as cuts and bruises since the blood won't clot as easily.
Honestly I'm shocked they are doing a surgery like this or anyone for that matter on Friday. Many hospitals have eliminated Friday surgeries all together. Higher rates of errors and infections occur on Friday. Many studies have pointed this out. Dr and nurses looking forward to weekend, distracted cause it's Friday etc.. Bet time to have any surgery is Tuesday at 7am, FYI.
not trying to freak anyone out it just surprised me to see Friday.
not trying to freak anyone out it just surprised me to see Friday.
That might be true if he were having surgery in a small regional hospital. This is a world-class research hospital with the best physicians in the country working on a high profile patient. I think he's good...
I agree with the comments about them having some of the best physicians in the country and not to worry.
However, The no-Friday-surgery isn't restricted to regional hospitals. The doctor that performed my son's heart surgery at Children's Mercy here in KC said he did not want to schedule the surgery for a Friday due to the reduced amount of staff over the weekend.
I'm just looking forward to hearing good news tomorrow.
Best of luck to Hoiberg and his family for a full, healthy recovery. It's pretty amazing the things they can do these days. Glad to hear he is in good hands.
That's great. Sorry you had to go through it. Best wishes with the rest of your recovery and for good health for many years to come.
I had my first heart attack in May of last year. Fortunately, I did not have to have any surgery, but I have been on the blood thinners like Fred will have to be on, probably for the rest of his life.
It's not too big of a deal. Not all of them require the food restrictions......Warfarin (Coumadin) is the one that requires you to watch your intake of green vegetables because of the Vitamin K they contain, which can counter the effects of the blood thinner. I've been on that since my heart attack, and it does require blood monitoring, which means you have to go in and give a blood sample every 2 to 4 weeks. The time difference is based on how you test. If the numbers are good....it might be 4 weeks until the next test....if they are not good......then they adjust the dosage and re-test sooner. Warfarin is sort of the generic for blood thinners. There are others, like Eliquis and Xarelto, that do not have the food restrictions and do not require the constant blood monitoring, but they are MUCH, MUCH more expensive than Warfarin. Some insurance companies don't even cover them, but I'm guessing CFH probably has a policy that does.
You do have to be a little more careful to avoid getting cut, or when you have any dental work, or other surgery. You just have to let people know that your blood will not clot as quickly as normal. And, as mentioned, you do bruise a lot more easily and the bruises seem to be a lot larger than normal, and stay with you longer.
He will have to make some adjustments, but I think he will do fine.
It's not too big of a deal. Not all of them require the food restrictions......Warfarin (Coumadin) is the one that requires you to watch your intake of green vegetables because of the Vitamin K they contain, which can counter the effects of the blood thinner. I've been on that since my heart attack, and it does require blood monitoring, which means you have to go in and give a blood sample every 2 to 4 weeks. The time difference is based on how you test. If the numbers are good....it might be 4 weeks until the next test....if they are not good......then they adjust the dosage and re-test sooner. Warfarin is sort of the generic for blood thinners. There are others, like Eliquis and Xarelto, that do not have the food restrictions and do not require the constant blood monitoring, but they are MUCH, MUCH more expensive than Warfarin. Some insurance companies don't even cover them, but I'm guessing CFH probably has a policy that does.
You do have to be a little more careful to avoid getting cut, or when you have any dental work, or other surgery. You just have to let people know that your blood will not clot as quickly as normal. And, as mentioned, you do bruise a lot more easily and the bruises seem to be a lot larger than normal, and stay with you longer.
He will have to make some adjustments, but I think he will do fine.
When I had open heart surgery I was out of work 2 months. He will hurt like he## until his sternum and rib cage heals. They open you up like dissecting a frog. Wire you back together and that has to heal. Will hurt to cough, laugh. Will get a pillow to hold against your chest to help relieve some of the discomfort.
Unfortunately, I don't think Eliquis or Xarelto are approved for people with mechanical valves.
They don't close hospitals...I never said they close shop on Friday just surgeries. It's not just small little hospitals either. Obviously if u need surgery on a Friday or Sunday then you get it. My point was that if given a choice I wouldn't have it on a Friday. Studies have shown that post surgical infections occur at a much higher rate than any other day..by far. I've been in medical sales for 20 years and the trend has moved to no surgery on Friday, however some hospitals can't afford to not do them for the lost revenue. Mayo is certainly a class institution as are many others. I'm sure everything will go smoothly..I'm praying it does.
