Almost 4 weeks out -

[johninsd]

Still bone tired, type a few lines or walk a block and I need a nap. Not too bad I guess considering my age (67) and the degree of the surgery (sternotomy, aortic valve replacement. aorta replaced with Dacron sleeve). I had major surgery in 1998 for colon removal, I recall the recovery going somewhat faster but that may be a memory thing.

 

[Paleowoman]

Hi John - there's no hard and fast rule for how fast or slow recovery is. When I saw my cardiologist at four weeks out as my recovery was going slow and I was having some problems, he said that open heart surgery has the same effect on the body as being hit by a car - that kind of puts the recovery in persecutive a bit. Your sternum bone has been sawn open and bone takes longer to heal than skin and muscle. Your body has taken a shock. Just walk and rest and be kind to yourself. All the best for your continued recovery.

 

[knotguilty]

Recovery varies. Work at getting yourself back to normal. I think it is important to push yourself within limits. Hope you feel back to normal soon.

 

[tom in MO]

I took 8 weeks off. At week 4, I was walking twice a day and napping after each walk. Just be regular with your exercise and if it goes good, go a little longer the next day. Keep your chin up I can sympathise with the colon problem, I lost only 6" of mine at about the same time. They don't "kill" you and bring you back to life for that surgery like OHS.