Mini stern

[Nancy jane]

Am so greatful for all the help & info In this forum - however I am interested in chatting with those who have had the mini sternotomy recently.

1. Are all the problems the same as full ?
2. Is the coughing after something everyone gets ? Due to ??
3. How soon do u feel pretty much ok. After mini - 2weeks?
4. Anything substantially different ?
5. Is the incision ALWAYS lumpy - bumby ?
6. Does the mini incision leak like the full ?
7. Yada yada yada

Help is appreciated. Nancy

 

[Luana]

I don't know if anyone here has had both types of sternotomies and able to answer from that point-of-view. I did not have either.

Coughing is common after any surgery; it has nothing to do with a sternotomy. You don't breathe on your own and your lungs take in anesthesia gases. It's good to cough after surgery to clear your lungs. Some people don't cough much at all; some cough a lot; I would say: expect some coughing. The cough is more like you want to cough to clear your lungs; it's not like a sick cough with flu or bronchitis, unless you happen to come down with either of those, which, along with pneumonia, is possible after surgery.

I would not expect to feel pretty much ok at 2 weeks post-op. You may feel great; you may not. It's still a very traumatic experience. I doubt a smaller sternotomy makes it easier. The bone is still broken, and my understanding is that broken bones hurt as they heal. 2 weeks post-op, I had a-fib and some other problems and felt pretty darn crummy.

As for an incision leaking, that's fairly common with any incision, not just sternotomy. It's just a little fluid and not a big deal.

Though your age and general health before surgery influence your recovery, there have been 50-somethings in good health who've had a rough haul and 70-somethings who sail through the whole process. It's really impossible to predict. I don't think the type or size of incision plays that big of a role.

 

[Jkm7]

I had two full sternotomies in four years. My second surgery they opened my original incision. It is now three years since and my scar has faded so much, there are portions that are invisible. There is nothing ropey, red or bumpy about it. We all heal differently. If you have had other surgeries, perhaps the way that scar healed will give you a clue as to how your body might heal this incision.

I had two abdominal surgeries and one of those scars (7" long) has faded into oblivion. When I started with a new doctor some years ago, doctor read my chart and looked for the scar and could not find it. Asked me if the record was correct that I had, indeed, had that surgery. After I pointed it out could doctor make out a faint hint of it.

Hope you heal well in all ways.

Best wishes.

 

[drivetopless]

1. Are all the problems the same as full ? can't tell you on that one.
2. Is the coughing after something everyone gets ? Due to ??
I had a lot of trouble with coughing for almost 4 weeks. Felt like bronchitis-a cough that you cannot suppress easily. It was due to fluid retention, but they have drugs to help with that. I was also able to take Cloricidin HBP to help with the congestion.

3. How soon do u feel pretty much ok. After mini - 2weeks? As Luan says, everyone is different. I felt better everyday with the exception of the 10 days dealing with severe afib. YOu will feel okay pretty soon. What you can't predict is then you will feel the need to take a nap--it hits you quick.

4. Anything substantially different ?

5. Is the incision ALWAYS lumpy - bumby ? I had a swollen lump above the top of the scar--this is very typical. It went down significantly in about 4 weeks and is now completely gone. The incision (I had a mini) looked really good the first month. Then it went through an ugly phase where it was keloiding and is now looking better again.

6. Does the mini incision leak like the full ? Yes. This is normal. Mine leaked about 2 weeks. YOu may also have an incision in your groin that leaks, too.

 

[Mentu]

Nancy, I cannot speak to the issue of the mini sternotomy but I can say that my incision never drained, even one drop and it healed with no lumps or bumps. The knot at the top of the sternotomy incision is just an artifact of surgery and is beneath the surface; it goes away with time.

I must say, that I felt astoundingly better two days after surgery. How you will feel and when depends on too many variables to predict. The things that can give you a good chance for a rapid recovery are being as healthy as you can before surgery and working at your recovery afterwords while being careful not to injure yourself by doing too much too soon. I have a friend who just retired after many years as a cardiac surgery nurse. Her recommendation was to increase your protein intake during the month before and after surgery to encourage healing.

Larry

 

[Kathy McCain]

Hi Nancy Jane!

My personnel experience was not what I was expecting. I had effusion, the day after I got home. Had to go back to the hospital and have a pericardial window. I also experienced alot of coughing which was due to the effusion. I develped pericarditis about 3 wks later. It took me appox 2yrs before I felt really normal. I still get pericarditis flare ups now and then, which I take a low dose prenisone for. I am a slow healer, and everyone has a different experience. For me though, I would have to say a mini sternotomy did not reduce recovery time! On a positive note, my heart and valve is doing fine now. It will be 4yrs in Feb since my avr.

Take care and good luck to you

 

[Kathy McCain]

Hi Nancy Jane!

My personnel experience was not what I was expecting. I had effusion, the day after I got home. Had to go back to the hospital and have a pericardial window. I also experienced alot of coughing which was due to the effusion. I develped pericarditis about 3 wks later. It took me appox 2yrs before I felt really normal. I still get pericarditis flare ups now and then, which I take a low dose prenisone for. I am a slow healer, and everyone has a different experience. For me though, I would have to say a mini sternotomy did not reduce recovery time! On a positive note, my heart and valve is doing fine now. It will be 4yrs in Feb since my avr.

Take care and good luck to you

My incision, I did not have any problems with! It healed rather nicely. Maybe 2 1/2"-3" max.