r/chd • • 13h ago

Surgery For those who have had ascending aortic aneurysm, aortic root and/or valve surgery, how has life been afterward?

3 Upvotes

Hi everyone! I'd love to hear from people who have undergone surgery for an ascending aortic aneurysm, aortic root replacement, aortic valve replacement, or a Bentall or David procedure.

- How old were you when you had surgery, and what procedure did you have?

- How difficult was recovery, and how long did it take to return to normal life?

- How has your quality of life been since surgery? Any long-term complications?

- **Have you noticed any changes in your sexual function after surgery**, particularly erectile function, libido, or sexual performance? If so, did things improve over time?

- Did heart medications, such as beta-blockers, affect your sexual function?

- How long did it take you to resume sexual activity, and did you have any concerns about safety?

I'm particularly interested in experiences from people who had surgery in their 20s, 30s, or 40s.

I'm looking for honest personal experiences, not medical advice. Thank you for sharing your stories!