All set for Tuesday the 21st

[Enetric]

Hi everyone,

Once again thanks for all your help. I am going bovine for my AVR. All set on the big decisions.

Now just preparing for the little things.

Bob shared some great tips with me for what to expect or things to do and not to do in the hospital and when I return home.

Can anyone else share some things? Meds? Pain management? Going to the bathroom? Bathing? Eating? Scar treatment? Things to remind a surgeon before hand? Advice on how to handle the Health care proxy? Insurance company screw ups?

Here are a couple of specifics:

1-What should I expect in terms of pain the first week? And the first week at home? Any tips for things I can do? I had a Hernia operation 15 years ago, and I recall being just miserable. I am considerably more frightened now. I recall having air trapped in my lower abdomen and it hurt like hell every time I laughed, or sneezed or coughed. Going to the bathroom was terrible pain. Will I have that type of gassy pain after surgery?


2-I also have a fairly hairy chest. Each time they shave a patch to put a few electrodes I am so itchy I want to dig right through my skin!!! Cant imagine what happens when they shave me down completely! I know I cant use ointments early on. And I don't want to scratch and irritate the wound. Any tips on that? Baby powder or something else that is OK?

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Anyway, all tips or insights are great. I thought about trying to rent one of those hospital bed food trays for the house. You know the thing with the wheels that slides over you and under the bed? I couldn't find a supplier for it in my area (Queens, NY) and I know the insurance company wont pay for it anyway. Was this completely unnecessary or a good idea?

All the best,
Eric

 

[Phyllis]

Hi Eric,
There is a thread: http://valvereplacement.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13578 that will discuss how to prepare to come home and you will also find a post within the thread that leads to a thread on what to take to the hospital.
As to your questions:
1. Dick had no pain from the incision when he came home- just back and shoulder pain from being laid out on the operating table. That lasted a good 6-8 weeks and was helped by PM Tylenol and lots of massages. Constipation was also a problem (most likely due to the iron pills they send you home with), but medications helped. Coughing is always a problem - try not to!

2. Dick's AVR was minimally invasive and he never had many problems from the scar. He did use some Vitamin E lotion on it when it was healing. He showered in the hospital and had no problems showering himself when he came home- even climbed the stairs to do it.

Hope this is somewhat helpful and I am sure many more will be along to add to this. Will check the calendar and add you to it, if you are not already there.
Sending you our best wishes for successful surgery and an uneventful recovery.

 

[tobagotwo]

I had the full sternotomy, but I also showered solo in the hospital before I left. Based on my experiences, I'll bet the hernia surgery will be the one you remember as being most painful. Women routinely say that childbirth is much worse.

Don't forget to update your doctor on how you're doing. They let me drop the stool softener meds and iron pills when I left the hospital, because I was doing fine in both departments. What I'm saying is: don't keep taking meds they provide that you don't feel you need without questioning them. The meds aren't carefully selected for you: they're just standard issue for everyone. You may not be "everyone."

Best wishes,

 

[Karlynn]

Sorry, can't help with the hairy chest issue , but I wish you a very successful surgery and recovery! Will anyone be able to post for you and let us know how it went?

 

[Mary]

Eric,
I had a hernia operation many years ago, and I remember the pain very well. By comparison, the valve replacement was much less painful. I will warn you though that on day 7, my first full day home from the hospital, the pain while coughing would almost "drop me to my knees" as Raverlaw described it. I had a bad 2-3 days with it, and then it greatly lessened.

I had a "cushie" (brand name) pillow that I took to the hospital, and I still use it eight months later when I sleep. You can put it through all types of contortions and stick it wherever you need support.

Lack of sleep was one of the worst aspects of recovery. I always sleep like a log, anytime, anyplace, and not being able to get a good night's sleep really bothered me. I slept in a recliner for two weeks before eventually returning to my bed.

I've had a hernia repair, two C-sections, 3 natural births, sinus surgery and valve replacement. In terms of pain, valve replacement would rank behind childbirth, hernia, C-sections and ahead of sinus surgery. It's just a yucky surgery that takes a long time to recover from.

Once you're back home, keep reading the post surgery forum, and you'll find the answers to many of your questions. If you don't, just start a new thread and ask. Someone is always around to supply an answer.

You're going to do fine. We'll see you on the other side of this.
Mary

 

[Karlynn]

Could 'a sworn I saw Jesus with that first cough. Man oh man. And that was with hugging a pillow. I also had to stay away from funny TV for a while.

 

[Praline]

Tips for post surgery

Tips for post surgery

It will be 5 weeks February 22 that I had surgery. I have a post-op appointment with the surgeon Tuesday, February 21.
I never had pain from my chest incision. The chest tubes are what caused most of my pain.I think I am too skinny and there is no room in my stomach for all that stuff. After they came out, not enough pain to take pain meds.They did not hurt coming out either nor did the pace maker wires.
One of my friends gave me a round cylindrical shaped pillow filled with stuff like a bean bag. I carried that thing around with me all the time and I still use it. I also brought pajama bottoms to the hospital and I used those. I am at almost 5 weeks and I am still not supposed to put anything on my incision but antibacterial soap and water. It is healing quite well with no problems.
I would recommend a lounge chair. I am not sure why you would want a lunch tray. By the time you go home, you should be able to sit at the table to eat with your family. My discharge instructions said to NOT eat in bed.
I also brought some books to the hospital .I read some for short periods at a time. But I was surprised that I could do that because a long time ago when I donated a kidney to my brother, I could not read for almost 3 weeks..my vision was blurry.
If you like music, you might want to bring a portable CD player. You could also listen to books on CD's. You should be able to borrow those from your public library. I got my player at Best Buys for about $14.00. So if it walks or gets lost, no big deal.
Oh, one last thing..When I was finally allowed to take a shower, I was glad I had packed a small bottle of shampoo.
I wish you the best. You will be fine. I have a feeling it will be easier than your other surgery.

 

[Lynlw]

I'll keep you in my prayers.Justin broke his arm and needed rods put in and said that pain was worse then his heart surgeries (he's had 4 OHS and had the pacemaker that broke removed from his abdomen)
I don't know that you would need the hospital tray, but we did get Justin one of the bed trays at bed,bath and beyond, he used a few times. mostly to play cards or work on word puzzle books. he spent most of his time in the recliner and we're lucky that ours is part of the sofa w/ a fold down table between 2 recliners.
Justin got the same valve that you are getting. I'm looking forward to your post after surgery, Lyn

 

[RCB]

Well I can!

Well I can!

Sorry, can't help with the hairy chest issue , but I wish you a very successful surgery and recovery! Will anyone be able to post for you and let us know how it went?

The best to do is the night before surgery- SHAVE YOURSELF, EVERYWHERE,
YES EVERYWHERE! (except head). You never know where they are going to put something in you, that will be put on with tape. When they remove it, everything goes with it!

Bring your own pillow and pillowcases.

Years ago, women used to say OHS pain was worst than childbirth, but today
they have reclaimed bragging rights for pain. My last one wasn't much worse then my laprosocpic gallbladder surgery.

"Things to remind a surgeon before hand?" - Make sure he has the right size valve!

 

[doberman]

Hi, Good luck with everything, I will pass on one bit of advice, do not forget to use your suppository or take your laxitive the night before like I did, I can tell you one thing I believe it was a mistake...
best jd

 

[MikeHeim]

Just a few comments:

As others have said, the biggest pain is in your back and neck. I don't recall really any pain in my chest. That is unless you: cough, sneeze, hiccup, or throw up. I think I listed those in reverse order. About two hours after I woke up, I found out that my body doesn't agree with morphine. That was where the wretching came in and it was horrific. Sneezing still causes me a good deal of pain. If you take no other advice, PLEASE bring something like a pillow to support your neck. You'll understand what I mean after surgery.

Don't worry about the hairy chest. This was also something I was slightly concerned about, and have been shaved for various tests probably about the same number of times as you. However, OHS (at least mine) leaves you with a "dead" spot about one inch on either side of the incision. I have absolutely no feeling to this day in that area, and it probably helped me avoid any itching as the hair started to grow back.

The meal tray probably isn't needed. By time you go home you should easily be mobile enough to eat at the regular dinner table.

As far as going to the bathroom, the catheder took all the stress away. I had never had one prior to this surgery, and was pretty aprehensive beforehand. Not to worry. Of the 11 tubes going into be when I woke up, the catheder was probably the least painful to remove. After they remove it, you will get a snazzy little jug to pee in so they can measure your fluid retention. I liked the jug so much that I wanted to continue using it after coming home. My fiance put a stop to that sometime in the middle of day 1.

Everything else just kind of works itself out. I don't know about anyone else, but I didn't see my surgeon the morning before surgery. I doubt many other people did either. The surgical team spends a considerable amount of time hooking you up with anesthesia, shaving you, and the other prep work that all happens between when you are put under and before you are cut. I'm pretty sure that my surgeon was not around for any of it.

See you soon in the Post-Surgery postings!

 

[Ross]

Could 'a sworn I saw Jesus with that first cough. Man oh man. And that was with hugging a pillow. I also had to stay away from funny TV for a while.

Yes and the evil sneezes brought on rapid fire like, will make you see Abraham, David, and a few more too!

 

[rbl1999]

Hi, Eric, first of all, best wishes for your surgery, I also had a bovine valve and am doing very well 6 months post op. My best friend (other than my husband!) was my recliner. I was not able to sleep in bed for quite a while, I was only comfortable fairly elevated in the recliner. I also have a foam rubber pillow that I still use. My worst pain was in my shoulders and back from all the manipulation, my scar was only uncomfortable but really only hurt bad when I sneezed (OUCH!!). As for the hospital, I pretty much just dozed,and watched TV, I could not concentrate enough to read, but everyone is different. Try to walk as much as you can and breath thru the tube they give you (VERY IMPORTANT). You will do fine, please have someone let us know... Rose

 

[sue943]

Good luck.

Having had OHS, a hernia repair, child birth, 'female repair', a broken wrist and kidney stones, I can say quite categorically out of those the OHS was by far the least painful. Amazingly so, and that confirmed to me what a man told me in the supermarket prior to my surgery. It is easily controlled with paracetamol.

I don't know about special pillows but the nurse gave me a rolled up towel to clutch when coughing or straining, she called it my 'baby'. Very effective.

When using a seatbelt in the car I was advised to place a pillow or cushion between that and my wound.

We don't get stool softeners here, nor iron tablets.

 

[Georgia]

Have to ditto everyone on the pain of ohs. They keep you on VERY good painkillers in the hospital - they want you to walk & breathe deeply and you're not going to if it hurts too badly. The greatest pain I had when I came home was the shoulders; and my hubby massaged my back & shoulders and that was that.

That being said, altho it doesn't hurt much, recovery is very slow compared to other surgeries, despite the pain they cause. You heart itself will not hurt; but I will take its own sweet time getting over the insult. I think because we feel pretty good after surgery it's hard to believe we can't get going sooner; your body's pretty self-protective. If you overdo, you WILL fall asleep. When you start cardiac rehab, it'll take all day & maybe another to recover.

By the way - regarding pain - if you don't do what the docs tell you there will be substantial - read really really bad - pain. This includes lifting more than 5#, or having a dog pull a leash, or a toddler bash his head on the sternum. I suspect all of us forgot about it sooner or later and paid dearly.

Be thinking about you on the 21st; this time next week it'll all be over and you might even be home!

p.s. - you don't have that pain from gas with ohs like with abdominal surgery because the sternum supports the muscles that are cut.

 

[hensylee]

I think the pain you feel will be more of the really, really sore type than anything. It subsides with time, but it is bearable, especially with the pain meds they give you. You may be surprised how easy it is. Maybe you can ask about a stool softener or maybe they have one in the med regimen anyhow - they don't usually let you go home til you go. They want to make sure everything works.

Your body will dictate to you your movements to keep down the pain from moving the wrong way.

My thought to you would be 'don't sneeze'. It really hurts for most of us. Stop it before it comes, if you can.

Best of luck to you. You may find tomorrow you will be less scared. GODSPEED!

 

[Superbob]

Good luck.

Having had OHS, a hernia repair, child birth, 'female repair', a broken wrist and kidney stones, I can say quite categorically out of those the OHS was by far the least painful. Amazingly so, and that confirmed to me what a man told me in the supermarket prior to my surgery. It is easily controlled with paracetamol."




That is pretty powerful testimony Sue's given you. I, on the other hand, had never been in the hospital overnight and was scared there would be terrible pain. I didn't find it to be so. Perhaps the key is to go ahead and take pain meds before you feel the pain. They kept offering me percocet and I kept accepting it. Friends who called my room said I sounded almost giddy. Started looking forward to those little percocet pills. Guess that's how addictions can form -- but anyway I gave them up before leaving the hospital, and they really seemed to work when I needed them.

Re the bowel movements, it perfectly natural not to have those for some days after surgery. I found that when I was back in business, the stool softeners were helpful. Of course we're all different.

Look forward to hearing of your successful journey to the other side of the mountain. You will do well.

 

[geebee]

Eric,

Best of luck to you. I hope all goes very well.

Godspeed.

 

[bvdr]

Eric, I asked my surgeon and anesthesiologist to please be very careful with positioning of my problem right shoulder. I also told my surgeon to keep me well sedated while on the ventilator and to please write the order to pre-medicate me with pain meds before removing my chest tubes. The only other thing in particular was letting them know I had routinely gotten terribly nauseous from anesthesia and would appreciate it if they would pre-empt that problem as well.
All my requests were honored and I believe it made my early post-op experience easier. I hope all goes well for you and God be with you.

 

[PJmomrunner]

All the best and only the best to you, Eric!