How to Recover from Heart Surgery
Heart surgery is a major surgery that leaves the body weak and in a delicate condition. Recovering from heart surgery requires very specific steps and regulated actions. Recovery also depends on your age, complications that may arise from the surgery, and the surgical procedure that was performed. Here are the things you need to know and the things you have to do when recovering from a heart surgery.
Immediate Post-Surgery
You will be taken to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) where you can be closely monitored by nurses and doctors.
You will only be allowed visitors for 15 minutes at the time. Do not try to talk or move while in the ICU, even with visitors around.
If you feel severe pain, immediately inform your nurse of your situation.
Hospital Stay
Expect to be moved to a normal hospital room after a few days or a week following surgery. Nurses will typically help you rehabilitate at this point one step at a time.
Recovering from a heart surgery will take place in small movements from your bed. Your nurses will ask you to do breathing exercises, lifting your arms and flexing your fingers.
The next step is to getting out of bed. You will usually be wheeled around in a wheelchair and be allowed to walk for short periods of time. Simple exercises will be continued.
There will be some dietary restrictions, and liquid will be the main event of your meals for a few days. However, you will be given solid food once you’ve been deemed able to take them. Salt, however, must be completely absent from the menu.
You will be given elastic socks to stimulate circulation in your legs while you stay in the hospital bed.
You will be given a bath around three days from the surgery, and every day following that.
Your incisions or surgical staples may be removed within a week of your surgery. There might be some pain when hiccuping, coughing, sneezing or laughing, but medication will be provided to you should the pain be too severe.
You will be given more exercises such as stationary bicycle and brisk walking on the treadmill.
After Discharge
The length of your hospital stay will depend on your doctor. Your doctor will give you detailed instructions to do on what you can and cannot do when recovering at home. Follow these instructions exactly.
Do not lift objects heavier than twenty pounds. Do not drive a car until your doctor gives you a go-ahead.
Follow all dietary restrictions. You may want to consult with a nutritionist on what kind of diet is best for you at your particular stage of recovery.
Establish a routine to follow. Get up early, bathe (using simple soap and water), do mild exercises and activity. You can also join a cardiac rehabilitation program where they develop exercise programs customized for recovering heart surgery patients.
Wear compressions stockings if your doctor has recommended it. This will help with stimulation and can prevent blood clots.
Sexual activities must be limited to positions that will provide minimal strain to your breastbone, arms and chest.
Watch for changes in your weight and daily temperature. Inform your doctor if your temperature has gone up higher than 38 degrees Celsius. When weighing yourself, you should expect weight loss. If you note a weight gain of more than five pounds, contact your doctor immediately as this may be caused water retention, which is something that can be potentially dangerous.
Do not go to work until your doctor gives you the go-ahead or after six to eight weeks.