This specific thread helped me tremendously after learning that I was going to need my aortic valve replaced and aneurysm fixed. I was glued to this and I remember finding such relief in the ones that made it seem manageable. So, I feel the need to contribute as well:
1. The emotions hit me while waiting after I checked in. I cried... a lot. Prior to that I was at peace with the procedure and confident that it would go well. Although I still felt that way, the reality of it all hit me like a ton of bricks.
2. That I slept very well leading up to the surgery, including the night before.
3. I remembered everything in pre-op and felt very calm (not sure if they gave me something or not...)
4. I remember being wheeled into the OR and talking rather lightheartedly with the staff. I was told to lay on the table, they strapped down my legs and said "give us your left arm." BAM, lights out for this guy.
5. I woke up to ICU staff telling me to wake up and breathe. I would breathe for a bit and then was back out. That damn horn would go off... This cycle repeated itself with the nurse eventually handed me the remote to the TV. No glasses on, couldn't see the TV (didn't care to see the TV for that matter). I thought I was going to get sick (I didn't) when the tube triggered my gag reflex and hand signs with my wife came in very useful! I laid there for 1.5 hours (felt like a few minutes) with my hands not strapped down until they took the tube out. ICU staff was amazed that I was so coherent and didn't go after the tube.
6. That the tube coming out didn't hurt... at all. I knew right away that I had the tube in and just breathed through my nose. I was worried about this part but I managed it well because of the insight provided on this site.
7. The first night sucked because they couldn't get my pain meds right... they went for oxycodone which I got sick on about four times and therefore didn't have much left in my system. This was the worst pain of the entire ordeal... throwing up after having my chest opened up.
8. I wasn't really aware of what I just went through until day 2.
9. Once tramadol kicked in, everything was smooth sailing pain wise. I would get uncomfortable at times but didn't ever feel "pain."
10. Getting to the chair and walking was much easier than I thought. My legs were steady and I expected them to be like jello. I walked quite a bit and usually had my "goal for the day" met pretty quickly. Walking felt really, really good.
11. Drainage tubes came out on the second day (way faster than I thought). The tubes coming out wasn't painful but it was definitely a strange sensation of things moving inside of your body. The stitches being put in was painful in a pinching sort of way. Once the tubes were out I was a little sore for a bit. At the hour mark (as suggested on here) I felt much better. The pacer wires were the last to come out and didn't hurt much either.
12. That first shower... holy hell that first shower! Unbelievable experience. I sat in there for probably 35 minutes in awe of how good that felt. Actually, showers just felt really, really good for the first month.
13. I wasn't urinating as much as I should after the surgery. They gave me Lasix... holy hell, that stuff could find water in a desert. I began to meet my "fluid output" goal pretty quickly. ha!
14. Going home was scary but a relief at the same time.
15. That heart pillow was a life saver!
Overall, they have this procedure nailed! KU Med staff were fantastic to me and my family. This procedure is manageable and you will get through it.
My biggest surprise would be the emotional impact AFTER the surgery... 3 months out I am a ball of nerves quite often. I'm hyperaware of my chest and every "different" sensation sends my mind running. I'll beat this part too.
