Out of Surgery

A few moments ago, the doctors wheeled Stephanie back into her recovery room from the surgerical room. She is required to lay flat for a couple of hours, not moving her right leg, where they used a catheter to insert the PFO device.

A 12mm device was used to cover the 10mm hole. They used a larger device than the hole to ensure that it is closed and secured. He indicated that the process is similiar to screwing a cork into a hole. You want it to be tight, he said. Overall, the surgery went perfectly, with no complications. Yeah!



Following her 2-hour rest period, she will be able to eat, drink and walk around. Assuming she is feeling ok, we will be cleared to go home.

At home, she will be resting and taking some antiobotics, plavix (blood thinner to prevent clots) and baby aspirin.

Three months from now, she will several tests to learn if the tissue has healed around the device properly. If all looks good, she will continue with the baby aspirin for an additional 3 months to prevent any clotting. At the 6-month mark, she should be off all medications and be returned to normalcy.

Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers. They were answered today.