Overview
The first phase of heart surgery recovery can last from six
to eight weeks. When the patient is released from the hospital, you will get a
set of instructions for post-surgery care. The best tips for recovery from
heart surgery will help you to heal physically and feel better.
Taking Care of the Cut Made by
Your Surgeon
Keep the cut made by your surgeon clean and dry. You can
take a bath or shower within a few days. Call the doctor if you experience the
following signs of infection:
- Edges pull apart
- More drainage or oozing than usual
- Fever greater than 100F
- Redness or warmth around the cut
You should call your doctor when the breast bone feels like
it shifts or if it pops or cracks when you move.
Pain Relief
Your doctor will prescribe the pain medication before you
leave the hospital. There will be some discomfort around the cut and in your
muscles such as numbness, itchiness and tightness along the incision which are
quite normal. However, it should not hurt as much as it did before the surgery.
If you had a bypass, your legs may hurt more than your chest if the surgeon has
used leg veins as grafts. The soreness and stiffness will fade with time.
Gentle exercises will help.
Driving After Heart Surgery
Your doctor will let you know when it is alright to drive again;
often it will be within a month or so post heart surgery. It will be sooner if
the surgeon did the operation with just a small cut. There is no need to wait
to ride as a passenger.
Daily Activities
For the first six to eight weeks, you will gradually build
up your activity such as household chores. Generally, doctors recommend:
- Don’t lift things which weigh more
than 10 pounds
- Don’t stand in one place longer than
15 minutes
- Don’t push or pull heavy things
- Walk everyday
Follow the guidelines of your doctor or the cardiac
rehabilitation specialist. Unless you have been told not to, you can climb
stairs.
Diet
The healthy food choices will help the healing process. Your
doctor will let you know if you should have or avoid specific foods. You may
not feel like eating for a while post surgery; therefore try smaller meals,
more often. If you appetite doesn’t return within a few weeks, bring this up
with your doctor.
Sleep
Most people have trouble sleeping post the heart surgery. You
should get back to a normal slumber pattern within a few months. Take
medications about half an hour before bedtime, if the pain keeps you up. Arrange
the pillows so you can stay in a comfortable position. You will need to rest
after activity. Try not to take a lot of naps during the day.
Avoid caffeine, including chocolate, tea, coffee and some
sodas in the evening. Settle into a bedtime routine, listening to relaxing
music will help since your body will learn these cues and it’s the time to
snooze. Call your doctor if lack of sleep starts affecting your mood or
behavior.
Conclusion
You can expect a gradual recovery from heart surgery. It
will take up to six weeks before you start feeling better and up to six months
to feel the full benefits of the surgery. The outlook is good for many patients
and the grafts can work for many years. You can join a cardiac rehabilitation
program or a support group. Call your doctor if you feel uneasiness post heart
surgery.
Source:
No comments:
Post a Comment