l have a friend who is 15 years old. When he was born he had problems with his heart, something with his valve, l think its too big or small or something. l dont really know the whole story, but l know he has had operations on it.

In April he had to go have tests and the results were not very good. He has to have his valve replaced with a pigs or a mechanic one, or they will try and repair his valve. He was not supposed to have this operation for a few years but he has to have it before the end of the year.

Im really worried what will happen to him. He is really positive about it, but l just am so scared.

So im just wondering whats the chances of something bad happening? He is really fit and plays heaps of sport if that helps.

l just, dont wanna loose him, he is a great guy, and he deserves to live his life to the fullest. So please, can someone tell me the risks and expectations etc..
Just so you know, my friend has no idea that I am worried. l do not go around depressing him.

a heart opperation is a big deal & many complications can happen, but these opperations go on every day & people fully recover. there r risks with any surgery, especially with open heart surgery.

the worst thing to deal with is seeing the person just before surgery when they seem fine, then seeing them after surgery & they r in much worse condition due to the opperation. the recovery is long & will move slowly, but younger patients usually improve faster than elder patients.

That sounds fairly complicated, but l would not worry because worrying does not help anything. l know doctors have been replacing valves for a while, since it is common for people to have faulty valves. It all depends on your friends risk factors.

im 22 years old and l was also born with a heart disease. when l wa 18 they replaced my pulmonary valve with a pig valve and stiched up my tricuspid valve. l was in the hosptial from wed to sun. l was back to work in 3 weeks including being in the hospital. im fine now it actually help pig vavles only last 5 to ten years. dont worry everything will be fine. ill pray for ur friend

He certainly does not need you depressing him. He will be fine, obviously he knows that. You should too. Stop being so dramatic.