Soon to Recieve a LVAD

I am not sure if there has been any studies on it but I can tell you what has happened to my and what the doctors have been telling me. 35 yoa 6'2 and weighed 225 going in for the surgery and just like you the only thing wrong with me was my heart. Do you know which one they might implant in you? I have the hearware. quicker recovery time. The nurses and doctors are worried about weight gain because they told me if it was too much gain it might be a problem when it comes down to transplant issues. I will tell you that within a month and a half of the implant, I had lost 40 pounds and weighed less than when I graduated from high school. I have started to gain some weight back because I always push the envelope and want to get the muscle I lost. Also depends on what kind of diet restrictions they put you on and how your body reacts when you stray from it. Will.

Thanks Jeremy,

I will have the Heart-Mate II. Yes that was exactly the same as i was told. It made me feel like they were saying If you get this device it MIGHT become destination therapy instead of bridge to transplant. I know they did not mean for it to come across as it did but I think it could have been worded better. With my EF down this low I don't think waiting for a heart is a option without the LVAD. I did a ton of research after my post and found numerous study's that said the opposite. One study suggested a 12% average weight loss with the LVAD in comparison to a 5% increase in weight for medical therapy. Thanks Bill

My EF was 7 which had them stratching their heads because according to them I should have had some organ failure. Their wording is never a hundred percent great. We went into the hospital on the 30th of July and was told this had to be done asap. We had no clue on anything about this, and it was a whirlwind effect with surgery on the 9th of August. They try to get the information out to you but can be harsh and difficult to swallow. I do not think tact is in their vocabulary, but then again they are there to save our lives. Are you going to be put on coumadin? Just found out thinning hair is a side effect, fyi. They gave me the choice of being hooked up to machines in the hospital waiting for a heart or the LVAD; for me not much of a choice. You recovery time is going to be longer than mine, but don't try to rush it too much. I pushed to be out of there in a week and it ended up being longer because of my coumadin and inf(i think?) levels were off. And remember no matter how many different stories you read, it could be different for you. I am definately a different story than most. Jeremy

Thanks Jeremy, I got the date today, as it stands now December 5 will be the surgery date. In may ways I am relieved. I am of the opinion that knowing is easier than speculation. Thanks Bill