I would be inclined to think that the flesh part will heal faster than the bone part. If they had to cut your rib cage to do the valve job, you will stand a greater chance of breaking the rib cage at the seam with sudden moves or pressure.

 

Take your time and and your body will tell you. I had valve replacement and much later back surgery. Hope all works out in your favor and you do good. Remember what your lawyer said, "Each case must be judged on its own merits." Your body will talk to you and if you will pay attention and be honest, you, and only you, will know when the time is right. Rush it and if you are wrong, results could really be heavy duty problems resulting in more delay and/or ending rides forever. Like a lot of folks are saying, "Only you can make that choice." You may only get one time to make that choice. Heal good & fast.

 

I had open heart surgery 6 months ago and had the same thing done.Bypass and a new valve (St.Jude made of carbon).My heart dr. said I could ride when I felt like it but the Surgeon said six weeks.I did not feel like it for about six weeks,the surgery wasn't so bad but all the medication made me feel bad.I finally got off some of that and felt much better.Turns out I can't take the Staten drugs,any of them. So enjoy your time in the recliner,you'll ride soon enough. And you'll feel much better.

 

glad everything worked out well and I wish you the best of luck

 

Thanks guys; The second day after surgery in the hospital, they had me walking 300' four times a day. I would be exhausted by the time I got back to the room, and then they released me from the hospital 5 days after surgery. I have been walking 4 to 5 times a day at home also. I am really feeling pretty good but it will probably be a couple of months before I feel like riding again. I will get an x-ray, and see my surgeon in 3 weeks. I will know a lot more at that time. My valve was replaced with a doner valve, so I do not have to take blood thinners. I was in pretty fair physical condition for a 71 year old guy which I think also helps. My wife and I were walking a mile and a half every morning 5 days a week before this happened. Thanks for all the input guys, and it looks like each case is different. I will keep you informed of my progress. Thanks again.

 

To the OP...prayers for a speedy recovery. Not sure how long you can get on a bike after your surgery. But here is my case...

mid-Dec '11 I had three medical stents placed in my hear arteries. After 12 I started having pain and told my Cardiologist. He immediately scheduled me to go back to hospital for heart cath and found out two stents were 90% blocked. So they decided I was not a candidate for another Stent procedure and I was going for the double bypass surgery. I had to stay in hosp for 7 days while being off blood thinner before bypass surgery. Reason is because my blood was/is too thin with the blood thinner I was taking and they did not want me to bleed easily with thin blood which would mean I need blood transfusion during/after surgery. So 7 days go by and I was schedule for bypass and then an emergency came up and I was knocked back for one more day.

Had my double bypass surgery on Mar 1 and I was in ICU for 10 hrs and they moved me to regular room afterwards. Within 24 hours after surgery I was up and walking for short duration (back was killin' me laying in hosp for 8 days waitin' for surgery and then after surgery another day. But drugs kept me sane...LOL. I was released 3 days after surgery and been at home resting since then.

DR/Cardiac Nurse gave me brochures/paperwork and in this paperwork it says no driving for 6 weeks (but I HAD to drive to DR appt which was 10 miles away but I made sure not to turn steering wheel fully with my arms...only made as little movement). At 6 weeks we are allowed to mow the yard and do light work (before no lifting/pushing 5 lbs)...so I can drive now I reckon if I can run a lawnmower. I have been walking since I been home.

The hosp staff are a bit surprised at how fast I am recovering but I am rather young...at 49 y/o so people my age progress quicker than those who are in their late 60's to 70's.

I pray for your speedy recovery and that you can hop on your bike ASAP. But try not to puch your luck so the rib cage can heal correctly.

 

Having had a double 8 years ago I would recommend this, push yourself in rehabbing. I was in the ICU and cardiac unit for 4 days, then 1 day in the regular area of the hospital. Seems they spun off the filter, drained the oil, and then forgot to refill the crankcase. I was 2.5 units short of blood. Anyways, I pushed to teh point I was wlking a mile with a week, 2 - 3 miles by the end of the second week. I pretty much stayed at that pace for the third and was released to go back to work on the 4th week. Unfortunately I had to wait another week to be released to drive from the doc. Push yourself, not to the point of extreme pain but the faster you regain normality the better. Just my opinion.

 

Well big item is since you dont have a mechanical valve the bleeding thing due to being on thinners isnt there. Take your time and remember to GET UP AND WALK dont just sit. You will be back in no time!!!

 

I had a quad bypass back in 1995, was blowing snow with a walk behind blower in two weeks just watch out for the chest where they open you up. I think the biggest problem will be the chest split. I used one of the Nordic trak ski machines to build up my strength.

 

Yes He did!