'After three years of not being able to walk the golf course and to struggle climbing up stairs it was decided by the cardiovascular team at the Southampton General Hospital that the TAVI operation was my only option.

I had my operation on the 10th December 2015, and I awoke the following day feeling surprisingly well. Over the next 2 days in ICU I made excellent progress. I went from strength to strength and I could not believe I had gone through this operation so smoothly. All my fears and worries I had prior to my operation just disappeared. I was discharged on 15th December 2015 and was told not to lift or exert myself for 6 weeks. This I made sure I did but after only 2 weeks I felt as if I could lift the world and run a mile.

I cannot praise the TAVI team, and especially the TAVI nurse case manager Natalie Gordon, enough who kept me in the picture all the time. All the staff at the Southampton General Hospital have transformed the quality of my life which I will always be indebted to.'

'Just a note to say a big THANK YOU to all the team involved with my TAVI.

It is marvellous to go from shuffling when I walked, and only able to stand for a short period of time without becoming breathless, to being able to walk for approximately a mile without any ill effects, so soon after the operation.

We had high hopes as after the operation in ITU when I came round and found I had already gained the grip in my hands.

I think the team who developed the valve should be very proud of the magnificent piece of miniature engineering. I feel they have provided a much better and more active life for a lot of patients who must, like myself, have felt that their life was ebbing away.

I have a serious problem with hospitals and doctors surgeries and think my experience this time may have helped to allay my fears.

Thank you again to the full cardiac team (all 22 of them) and the nursing staff who took care of me during my stay.

God bless you all.'

Mr S, West Sussex

'I am writing to express my thanks to the TAVI team who operated on me last month, and to the nurses who cared for me post-op. Every one was absolutely brilliant. The surgery has been most successful and I am doing well. Throughout I was met with kindness and efficiency and help when needed. I could not have been better cared for.'

Mr H, Bournemouth

Patient experiences: TAVI