Anyone had heart surgery…

[Basil Brush]

As per title.

Anyone on here had heart surgery? Long story short, had an heart attack, and during stay in cardiac hospital, turns out I have two leaking heart valves (severe) looks like I need opening up. Have a smaller Suzuki 650 which gets used  most now. 14 is virtually laid up. Has anybody gone through similar? I'm wondering about fitness and strength post op. I'm 60 13.5 stone 5/11. Lost 2.5 stone whilst in hospital. Sadly I'm contemplating the unthinkable and letting the 14 go. My worry is being post op and cannot handle the weight. I'm hoping I'll be ok, but my worry is I'm not, and stuffed as I cannot handle the bike.

Any thoughts on similar situations would be appreciated, many thanks.

Ride safe everyone and happy new year to you all.

BB

[Hooli]

I'd keep the 14 & find out how it goes. Gives you a target to aim for in the recovery as well.

For what it's worth I know a bloke with 3/4s of an artificial heart & he's ridden everything from Pan Euros to HDs & still rides HDs damn quickly.

[Basil Brush]

Thanks Hooli, you've given me food for thought...

[Andre]

With the valves fixed you should feel a lot better! In the short term, of course, you'll have to recover from the surgery.

I'd keep the 14 & find out how it goes.

+1

[Eric GSX1400K3]

As per title.

Anyone on here had heart surgery? Long story short, had an heart attack, and during stay in cardiac hospital, turns out I have two leaking heart valves (severe) looks like I need opening up. Have a smaller Suzuki 650 which gets used  most now. 14 is virtually laid up. Has anybody gone through similar? I'm wondering about fitness and strength post op. I'm 60 13.5 stone 5/11. Lost 2.5 stone whilst in hospital. Sadly I'm contemplating the unthinkable and letting the 14 go. My worry is being post op and cannot handle the weight. I'm hoping I'll be ok, but my worry is I'm not, and stuffed as I cannot handle the bike.

Any thoughts on similar situations would be appreciated, many thanks.

Ride safe everyone and happy new year to you all.

BB

youll be right mate, it will give you a target. Dont sell the 14, youll regret it.

[Globalrider]

I had similar thoughts after 3 heart attacks and now 4 stents - not the level of intervention that you are up against. Nevertheless, it did make me concerned about the level of fitness to 'work' a bike hence I sold my GS and kept the 14 - I have 5 other smaller bikes that do not need the level of grunt to ride. Now with good blood flow and a level of fitness that does not impede me, I find the 14 'easy' to ride and the seat height perfect to maintain control for my size 5' 11" inside leg 32".
So like others have said, one step at a time but if you are like me with the ticker in fine fettle I'm sure you'll wonder why you worried. And! with luck and modern surgical methods, it might all be key hole. Above all chin-up!
Stan

[GSXKING]

Firstly Basil don't make any rash decisions about selling your GSX please.
My wife Bobbie had an infected heart valve in 2012 and had open heart surgery to replace it.
Her recovery was good and she started going to the gym. Met a power lifter and trained with them. She now holds World Records for her age & weight in all three lifts ie bench press, squat and deadlift. So your mindset will determine the outcome my friend.
Good luck 🍀 with all your health issues. Wishing you a speedy recovery 🙏

[Roo]

concur with everyone else, having a knee Op next week ! (not ticker probs I know but you do start to wonder ?)
I can't imagine having to sell my 14,hate the thought !!!

Recover first and see how you are, think Pos as my wife says !!!!!   

[gsxbarmy]

After both spinal and heart surgery, one year after the other some 13 years ago, I too was concerned - especially after the spinal surgery as they told me it could be 2 years to fitness. The determination to not let it do so, meant I was back on my 14 (that I owned then) after 7 months. Took it out of me, but I did it. Heart surgery - whilst there is still a recovery period - is much more controlled and quicker, the programs which hospitals offer post surgery really help you to get back on your feet quite quickly - a matter of months to get back to full fitness. Whilst I now have to be careful riding a motorcycle because of my spinal situation, my heart situation has never concerned me, mainly because my GP calls me in once a year for a general check over since in respect of what was my heart condition.

What I'm saying Brian is don't be too hasty to sell the 14. Have the surgery, go through the fitness recovery (walking is a great tool for that and in Yorkshire you have some fantastic walking country) and then make your decision. Whilst it all sounds grim, procedures these days are much less invasive and debilitating, you'll feel fantastic when its all over, trust me.

[grog]

Not me but a Mate. Huge heart surgery around 25 yrs ago. He owns/runs tow truck business and caravan park, he just never stops. If you end up with 1/2 his energy Basil youll need another 14👍👍

[Basil Brush]

Many thanks for all the positive suggestions. The 14 at the moment is (you will be pleased to hear) going nowhere quickly. I only did 260 miles last year, and the vast majority were before the problem started. When it kicked off at one point I was given two weeks to live, unless I went straight to cardiac unit. Since then it's a struggle as my fitness has nosedived.

Onwards and upwards so they say. I'm in the system and all the exploratory tests have pointed to surgery. The less invasive the better.

Thanks once again, my missus also says keep the 14. I'm grateful I've got the 650 though.

All the best,

Brian/BB

[Kiwifruit]

Off to have a triple bypass myself, admission at 1pm today, slice & dice tomorrow at 7am, will let you know how I get on. I've just put the bikes registration on hold for three months. Not for a moment have I considered selling it. I'm sure you'll be fine Basil.
 

[GSXKING]

Off to have a triple bypass myself, admission at 1pm today, slice & dice tomorrow at 7am, will let you know how I get on. I've just put the bikes registration on hold for three months. Not for a moment have I considered selling it. I'm sure you'll be fine Basil.
 

Good luck Col I'm sure all on here hope you have a speedy recovery.
I'm pretty sure you'll definitely feel better in the long run 🙏🙏

[KiwiCol]

Best of luck Col, wishing you a speedy recovery mate.


Just in case things don't go as planned, that compressor of yours, do ya think you'll still need it?  LOL   

[Andre]

Had a good laugh at that one Col.

All I can say: May Fortuna smile on you all.