Ok, I need your help!

[Susan BAV]

Eleven days post-op? I didn't feel so great and could barely shower by myself. I was also struggling with temporary but severe A-fib/A-flutter, which excessively winded me.

Your main fuel pump has been completely assaulted and it needs a bit of time to recover. It's going to beat a little hard in protest for a few weeks or longer. It'll get better soon.

Food tasted like stinky cardboard to me for a few weeks, as many other members here have noted over the years. I didn't have much of an appetite. It'll come back pretty soon for you.

The worst day I had for a bizarre mood was four days post-op when I was becoming panicky, I am assuming a reaction from too much pain medication. At day eleven, I was only taking extra-strength Tylenol for pain, and that just to get through my spirometer exercies. It's not that I didn't have pain; it's just that, right or wrong, I just didn't want to take anything more than I absolutely needed. Otherwise, while everyone is different, I didn't suffer for long with any form of depression--maybe kind of a blah mood for a couple or three weeks though.

And, it's hot where you live, right? You're getting close to the "dog days of August" so that can put any home-bound patient in a bit of a blah mood.

One other thing that helped me think through my situation, when I briefly struggled with irrationally feeling a bit like some sickly useless failure because I had to have this life-saving surgery, was that I realized that lots of people have to have (more common but) equally life-saving surgeries, such as C-sections and appendix removals. So, that helped me think my way through any negative and/or irrational thinking.

Remember that you will feel better, probably better than you have in years, and probably very soon. I recall realizing that I was feeling much better by around five weeks post-op; and at three months, I was feeling tremendously better.

Best wishes. Hang in there. It'll get better soon.

 

[Ross]

Dude you just had heart surgery and everything EVERYTHING you mention is 100% normal for 11 days out. It will all change in the course of time. Food will suck for about 3 or 4 weeks, then suddenly, you'll chow the house down and ENJOY it. The more you walk, the more of the nasty stuff leaves your system and you'll get a grip on your emotions again and also start leaning out and not looking so bloated.

Your doing fine my friend. It's all normal.

 

[Bonzo Dog]

Sheepdog, glad to have you back posting with us from the post op room.

To address food and diet issues first; so you're losing weight, is that a bad thing?

You don't tell us what your start weight and body condition was pre op. I will speculate that if your 'drug of choice is sugar' then you may be on the heavy side. If that's the case, then you do yourself and your reconditioned heart a big favour in losing a few pounds and keeping them lost. Less body weight is less strain on the pumping heart. Less weight less chance of diabetes. The last thing you need is low level diabetes creeping up on you in a decade or so to complicate cardiac matters. Less weight less chance of needing knee and hip replacements in years to come. In short there are so many good health reasons to slim down. Many find it difficult to do so. If it's happening naturally for you don't fight it.
If my presumption is wrong and you have a lithe athletic, pinch fit body, then please accept my apology. ******!!!!!!!!! Edit PS:- Sheepdog just read your post on running in the rehab section. It seems you may be pinch fit, sorry. ( now why dosen't editing allow me to post loads of embarrassed icons??)

As others have posted the post op downer is common. You should fight your way through it and become your old self. Be aware though it might linger and erupt again for no apparent reason in years to come. Don't be in silly, macho male denial, (as I was ) if that is the case. Seek medical help.

As for your other problems, well time is a great healer. You've taken a physical and mental battering, let time heal you. Look back on your post in 3 months time and realise how far you've come.

 

[cday]

Yes, you are expecting too much.

Our experience 10 weeks post-op: My husband didn't eat anything sweet for about 8 weeks -- His regular appetite returned before he stand dessert.

He is extremely active, but sat in a chair (except for all the walking and rehab) for about 4 weeks. Felt somewhat better. At 6 weeks to another step forward. At about 9 weeks was able to come home for lunch and not take a nap before returning to work.

As of now he can work, go to rehab, take kids to activities and not be worn out. He cannot play tennis as he did (that could take up to a year we learned on this site), but he can swing a racquet and play a bit of lower level doubles.

So, don't get discouraged! It takes time, time, time. Our cardio says: Your body is about a pint low on blood for about 6 weeks and the anesthesia stays in your body for a month or so.

Have your family and friends remind you of the specific progress you have made.

 

[jjay32]

Having taken pain meds after several of my surgery's, and for treatment of major back pain, I noticed that while on the pain meds that I sometimes would blow up at the slightest thing. So I think part of the getting pissy over minor things is due to the meds. I see that your support family here is in full swing for you. I have not had surgery yet (in the waiting room), but your description (and everybody elses) of post surgery life is helping me be prepared for when I do. So thank you for that.

Hang in there, it sounds like things are going great for you, slow (hard to take) but steady. One poster said look at weekly progress, not daily and you will see that things are on the right track.

best of wishes, Jjay

 

[SHEEPDOG]

Soooo not the little body type

Soooo not the little body type

Bonzodog,
No apologies necessary! I was 12 lbs when I was born. I have been on the LARGE end of the scale since the beginning. 6'1", 260 (day of surgery) I am NOT what you would call a RUNNER. I sort of PLOD my way down the road. I hope to complete a MARATHON someday just to say I did it and get the T-SHIRT and the FINISHERS MEDAL. I know I could loose a few (bunch) but I don't want to waste away from muscle atrophy.
I know that won't happen and I will bounce back really easy. I also know that EVERYTHING you all are saying is true and I really am expecting to much for 12 days out. I wanna thank everyone for the support and their EXPERT advice. The doctors may have the MD behind their name but unless they have gone through it themselves they can only give the "BOOK" answer. I'll take the "BEEN THERE DONE THAT, GOT THE VR.COM T-SHIRT" advice any time for the REAL scoop.

 

[EVELYN]

Hi Sheepdog

NORMAL, NORMAL, NORMAL!!! From the crying to the not eating to the looking like #%^#$$ to the not being able to walk around Target. Just relax, man, and take one day at a time. Work on the little things, like a little walk, and a little shower, and a little lunch,one step at a time, and believe me, they are seemingly baby steps for others, but major steps for anyone who has been through this surgery.

Please be patient, you'll be feeling better soon.

Evelyn

 

[SignlRun]

Hang in there

Hang in there

Hey bud.. hang in there it gets better.

I am 26 days post op. Had my surgery down at Emory Univ Hosp. I am 43 years old and have been very active all my life.. marathons, triathlons you name it. I have been and continue to have the same symptoms you have. BUT they are getting better everyday. Appetite is slowly coming back, strength/stamina is on the rise. I very much wanted to wake up one day and be "well" again. I never get sick; dont even have a primary care doc so patience with not doing what I want when I want has been tough to come by.

Hang in there!

 

[AgilityDog]

Hang in there, Sheepdog. I was in ICU for 10 days after surgery, and in a regular room about 5 days after that, so at your point, I wasn't even home yet! I couldn't walk to the corner for another 2 weeks, and took about 4-5 weeks to get around the block.
I remember going to Sports Academy with my spouse about 5 weeks out, and having to sit down and rest while he shopped for shoes.
I was moody, depressed, angry, etc. etc. You are normal.
Yes food tastes awful for a few weeks. Try getting some Ensure and whomp it up with ice cream and fruit for a few meals. Don't drink that stuff straight, however. yuck!
Best wishes,

 

[Bina]

SDog, you are NORMAL, congratulations!
My day 12 was still in hospital with high HR and tiny walks in halls.
Had my wedding anniversary in hospital and I could only stare at the box of chocolates.
It was like they were foreign and gross. (normally, choc is my life).

Pace yourself in these early weeks and you will do much better in the long run.
Keep forcing yourself to eat small amounts of nutritous foods.
How about you sit and read books with your child, accept all hugs he offers.....that's good medicine!

 

[hall]

Yep, all normal. I lost 16 pounds in the hospital. Food was nasty! When I got home, my appetite came w/me. After the hospital, food was fine. I remember the first time I walked, I went to Marcs Store. I could walk 2 aisles and headed for the door. I was amazed at how little strength I had. I walk every day normally (treadmill). I just kept trying and every day got a little better. Things will get back to normal, give yourself time.

Deb

 

[gf1962]

I certianly understand the way you feel. I sure you have heard this before but is does take time to regain your strength. Depression is normal too, much more for those of us in policing. As one of the other posts says we do not like to not be in control. This is the hardest thing of all. As for taste I do not have an answer I did not have that issue. I know this is hard just take your time it will all fall together.

 

[pamela]

It will get better.

It can't really get much worse, right? But yes, it will get better.

Don't forget to monitor your weight, if you're bloated and then gain another 2 pounds in a day, get off to your doctor right away.

 

[CHDDoug]

Sheepdog,
Just give it time (and I knwo that pisses you off when I say that). Honestly, it will take time. I didn't like anything that I ate or drank for a couple of months. Finally that returned. I was in decent shape heading into surgery...and then shrank up to nothing. I lost ALL of my muscle tone...but I found that once I started back lifting light weights, it returns pretty quickly. The strength may take a while, but at least you look big and strong!

Hang in there...it does get better...I promise!

 

[TammyM]

I am less than 2 weeks away from my 3rd anniversary of my surgery and I want you to know that I am sitting here emotional after reading your post. Some people seem to recover quickly and easily, others have a more difficult time. I was 33 years old and it was so HARD physically and emotionally for me. I went through deep depression. It was terrible! BUT IT DID GET BETTER! And it WILL get better for you. Draw strength from the Lord one day at a time. My verse became "Tammy can do all things through Christ who gives her strength." I stopped comparing myself to everyone else and how fast they were healing and focused on one day at a time. When I stopped thinking "I should be able to do this by now" and just focused on how I felt and what I was capable of doing, things got a lot better for me.
It has only been 11 days for you. Don't be so hard on yourself! Give yourself permission to heal.

 

[Guest]

First and foremost, don't be so hard on yourself. You have a ways to go and your appetite will pick up soon enough. I was not hungry for a while post op, even CHOCOLATE didn't taste all that great, and all of a sudden, I wanted pancakes at 3:00 a.m. and I made them myself.

I remember 10 days post op, I was sooooo cold. I had so many layers on you'd a thought I was in the Northeast, not TX in November. I knew it was shock from the surgery. I remember my husband holding me trying to get me warm and my emotions were off the wall.

Recovery is tough, be gentle with yourself, sleep when you feel tired. I did not walk far at first, let alone any hills. Just enough to get blood flowing and then back to bed when I was tired. I was up more during the night than I was during the day. At least 6 times the first week, 4 times the second, and steady improvement over the next two to where I slept more at night, less during the day. Afib was my friend at around 14 days post op, trip to the ER, given flecanaide, sent home. Have not had any Afib since, off of flecanaide since February, doing well.

You'll get there, listen to your body. You've been through ALOT and it does get better.

P.S. I don't share these pics with just anyone, it helps if you have a couple of furry friends to keep you company and warm you.

View attachment 6036

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Hey DAWG,

You've had your Sternum Sawed in Half. Almost ALL of your available energy is going into healing that bone. It takes 6 weeks to get 85% healed. At that point you should feel a burst of new energy (but you Stamina will still be LOW).

To FUEL your recovery you need CALORIES, i.e. FOOD.
My first (Heart) Surgeon told me to eat whatever appealed to me, small amounts in small bites if necessary, ANYTHING to get some Calories in me. Worry about maintaining a Healthy Heart Diet LATER.

Recovery comes in spurts and usually has some steps back, often after a few good steps forward. As has been said before, as long as you can see progress on a Weekly Basis, you are going in the right direction.

Surviving Surgery and getting out of the ICU is the First Milestone.

The Second Milestone usually comes at 2 weeks when you start to feel brief moments of energy and catching your breath.

At Six Weeks, many can go back to work (sedentary jobs) but still find themselves exhausted by the end of the day.

Younger, Healthier OHS'ers often begin Cardiac Rehab at 6 weeks and slowly but surely loosen up those tight muscles and start regaining some strength and stamina. Typically, the younger you are, the faster this goes. For us 'Elderly' patients, it takes WAY Longer than we would like, but most of us get there, eventually.

PUSH when you have the energy.
REST when your body says "Enough".
NAP when you need to recharge.

Don't forget to BREATHE deeply and use your Incentive Spirometer often. (I was told to do my breathing exercises for 10 minutes every 2 hours while awake).

The fact that you are griping and grumbling already says that you are making good progress. If you weren't, you wouldn't have the energy to gripe and grumble!

Keep it up!

'AL Capshaw'

 

[SHEEPDOG]

Thanks

Thanks

I can't tell you how much this means to me guys. I actually ate some real food today. Did too much too soon and almost gaged on ARBYS sandwich. I did get some REAL food down. That felt good. Can't stand sweets yet. That is a good thing, I know considering my ADDICTION to sugar. Have gone most of the day without a DARVOCET and not feelin much different. Will use it only at bed time.
INR was right where it should be on thurs when I had it checked. At least that should be an easy process to start. They are keeping me at 3 for now but the doc. put in the ON-X because the INR could be maintained at 2.5 or less without problems.
I said I looked BLOATED above. I guess it isn't really my face, it is that I am LOOSING weight but it is out of proportion.My face is thin. My neck looks like one of the Colonels fryers. My arms look like they have never SEEN a dumb bell, and to top it off, THEY SHAVED EVERYTHING DOWN THE CENTER OF MY BODY! I thought I was scary after a shower before. The more I look at things the more I know it will be over soon and I can be giving my wisdom to the next poor guy in line.
Thanks again

 

[kfay]

I don't think that there is a single thing in your post that I didn't feel at some point. Food for me was a terrible thing as well. I felt like my tongue was numb and I really just couldn't taste food at all. Also, for me, all of the meds, mostly pain meds, almost completely took away my appetite. It was probably closer to 6-7 weeks before I started to get my taste back. I just would make myself eat because it didn't matter what it was...it all just tasted blah.

At now 3.5 months out, I feel fantastic and haven't had any of those problems in a while now. Just hang in there...you won't get better overnight, it just takes time.

Kim

 

[PairoDocs]

From Pairodoc-Laura

Sheepdog,
My husband, who actually had the OHS, actually had typed a long and thoughtful post, but we have been having some computer problems (can't update the browser and the like) and so he ended up losing the whole thing. The whole appetite business... He was able to tolerate spicy foods way better than previously, at least for awhile. He especially liked these Blue Corn Tacos that they made at the hospital. When we got home, we didn't do the low-fat thing. I don't mean he ate at McD's, but I made him iron-rich, nutrient-dense foods like liver with bacon and onions (not for everyone, I know, but he likes it). He could only eat small amounts, but because of the high nutritional value, he didn't have to eat a lot. He also craved grape juice, which we avoid because of the sugar, but it stimulated his appetite. He liked the stronger-tasting cheeses, like goat cheese. He really wanted peanut butter, too! His appetite did get better when he got off the pain meds, and the Toprol really seemed to cause problems with his taste buds, so he did better once he got off of it.

The depression-well, there has been a lot of posting on that, and some of it by Chris when he was very down. You can see his post on the Post-surgery forum a couple of weeks ago. He is now 7 months post-op and it is still a battle, but with counseling and patience, (and medication), it is getting better.

As far as how you look... well, I had the unfortunate experience of seeing Chris immediately post-op, and let's say it wasn't pretty. When we got home, even though he was still puffy from edema, it was much improved. His face was pink/bronze, not the pale green/blue before and after surgery.We have a good friend who was cyanotic for so long, we thought it was his natural hue, but he actually turned pink after his AVR. Many people have been sick for so long that they look and feel better immediately after surgery. That was definitely the case with Chris' ICU "roommate", who had CABG and MVR. He hadn't been able to do anything prior to his surgery, and walked out of the place briskly.

As far as your physique- walking helps, but won't do much about the skinny arms. The PT in the hospital gave Chris some exercises to help that didn't stress the scar. The incentive spirometry helped keep his chest muscles in shape. Yoga is a great activity -just do what you can; no handstands, etc.

Chris is pretty much back to his old self, physically. Still has a little twinge in the scar when climbing or swimming once in awhile, but nothing serious. He has been back to farming for some months now. He is off all his heart meds except aspirin, and the DHA/ARA/Omega 3 and CoQ-10 supplements for his lipids and heart.

I'll bet you'll pick up quickly if you can avoid overdoing it. Chris did not want to end up with a re-do on the sternotomy, so he did things when they told him and how they told him, until they released him for unlimited activity.

We'll be praying for you, brother.

Balmy(!) in Idaho,
-Laura