Post Surgery tips

[BrownEyes]

Hi there.

I have a few questions as I prepare for my OHS surgery this spring. Searched the threads but didn’t find much on these particular topics:

1. I’m a side sleeper. I have a really hard time sleeping flat. I do have an electric recliner that goes flat, and also have an adjustable frame bed. My question is for you side sleepers, how long after OHS were you able to sleep in your side?

2. Showering. I read great feedback on getting a shower bench which I just ordered. But I read you can’t raise your arms above your head for a few weeks. Any tips then on how to wash your hair? I am a female with long hair so I do plan to cut it much shorter prior to surgery, but still any tips on washing when you can’t reach up?

3. Formal Cardiac rehab. How often is this usually started? Right after surgery or after you heal?

4. I own a side business and want to use my down time from my recovery to rebuild my business website. Using a laptop - what’s the less painful way? Lap desk? sitting at a normal desk? Or will that be uncomfortable?

Thanks in advance! Loved all the other tips I read to help me prepare.

 

[d333gs]

1 For the first week or so you will only want to be in a position without pain, often that is on your back. You will have to turn on your side to get up and out of bed ,so you will be able to test the sideways position.

2 If I remember correctly, I bent over and raised my hand over my head, you just have to be gentle. you have to keep your incision dry.You will also need a hair dryer.

3 They will start you walking by the second day. I was going down to the lobby to get extra coffee by the third day. After on week I started rehab at a center with other heart patients. Highly recommended.
Week one,they had us doing breathing exercises and riding bikes. Week two and going for afternoon one hour walks outside , and week three stretching was added.

4 By the second week I could sit at a desk and work on my laptop, But , at rehab they will keep you busy with exercise!

Best of luck!

 

[Paleowoman]

1. I was a side sleeper too but there was no way I could sleep on my side or sleep lying down either for about six weeks. I don’t have an adjustable bed or electric recliner so I slept, sort of, sitting propped up with big cushions on the sofa in our living room with a cushion also under my knees…..I lowered the cushions with time until I was lying down at which point I experimented with side sleeping until I could do it comfortably….then I was able to sleep in a bed in our bedroom An electric recliner sounds ideal as you can start in sitting/lying position or whatever you find best.

2. I washed my hair by sitting on a chair next to the bath and kind of leaning my head over the bath so that I could hold the shower head against my head…that wasn’t too difficult.

3. I started my formal cardiac rehab around 8 weeks after surgery when my cardiologist said I should start it. But I was doing walking three days after surgery on the ward walking up and down the corridor. Doing breathing exercises too. Once home I did walking up and down the living room as it was winter and the weather very wet. In the hospital over here in the UK they check in the hospital that a person can climb stairs before they discharge you…stairs were surprisingly tiring.

4. I used my laptop right away on discharge after surgery sitting on sofa with laptop resting on my legs…..I’d often go online during the night to the valve replacement forum to get advice and encouragement….being in the UK the night was when the Aussies here were often online and also some Americans

 

[BrownEyes]

1. I was a side sleeper too but there was no way I could sleep on my side or sleep lying down either for about six weeks. I don’t have an adjustable bed or electric recliner so I slept, sort of, sitting propped up with big cushions on the sofa in our living room with a cushion also under my knees…..I lowered the cushions with time until I was lying down at which point I experimented with side sleeping until I could do it comfortably….then I was able to sleep in a bed in our bedroom An electric recliner sounds ideal as you can start in sitting/lying position or whatever you find best.

2. I washed my hair by sitting on a chair next to the bath and kind of leaning my head over the bath so that I could hold the shower head against my head…that wasn’t too difficult.

3. I started my formal cardiac rehab around 8 weeks after surgery when my cardiologist said I should start it. But I was doing walking three days after surgery on the ward walking up and down the corridor. Doing breathing exercises too. Once home I did walking up and down the living room as it was winter and the weather very wet. In the hospital over here in the UK they check in the hospital that a person can climb stairs before they discharge you…stairs were surprisingly tiring.

4. I used my laptop right away on discharge after surgery sitting on sofa with laptop resting on my legs…..I’d often go online during the night to the valve replacement forum to get advice and encouragement….being in the UK the night was when the Aussies here were often online and also some Americans

1 For the first week or so you will only want to be in a position without pain, often that is on your back. You will have to turn on your side to get up and out of bed ,so you will be able to test the sideways position.

2 If I remember correctly, I bent over and raised my hand over my head, you just have to be gentle. you have to keep your incision dry.You will also need a hair dryer.

3 They will start you walking by the second day. I was going down to the lobby to get extra coffee by the third day. After on week I started rehab at a center with other heart patients. Highly recommended.
Week one,they had us doing breathing exercises and riding bikes. Week two and going for afternoon one hour walks outside , and week three stretching was added.

4 By the second week I could sit at a desk and work on my laptop, But , at rehab they will keep you busy with exercise!

Best of look!

I am a coffee addict so it made me smile that you went down to get coffee. There’s a standing joke with my friends that since there’s a Starbucks in the lobby of the hospital, that’s how the staff will force me to walk by telling me that’s the only way I can get coffee is to go there and get it myself.

It amazes me how fast everyone says they were up and walking. I remember my dads surgeries - he was on bedrest forever in “the old days” and am so thankful for modern technology and medical advances.

 

[BrownEyes]

1. I was a side sleeper too but there was no way I could sleep on my side or sleep lying down either for about six weeks. I don’t have an adjustable bed or electric recliner so I slept, sort of, sitting propped up with big cushions on the sofa in our living room with a cushion also under my knees…..I lowered the cushions with time until I was lying down at which point I experimented with side sleeping until I could do it comfortably….then I was able to sleep in a bed in our bedroom An electric recliner sounds ideal as you can start in sitting/lying position or whatever you find best.

2. I washed my hair by sitting on a chair next to the bath and kind of leaning my head over the bath so that I could hold the shower head against my head…that wasn’t too difficult.

3. I started my formal cardiac rehab around 8 weeks after surgery when my cardiologist said I should start it. But I was doing walking three days after surgery on the ward walking up and down the corridor. Doing breathing exercises too. Once home I did walking up and down the living room as it was winter and the weather very wet. In the hospital over here in the UK they check in the hospital that a person can climb stairs before they discharge you…stairs were surprisingly tiring.

4. I used my laptop right away on discharge after surgery sitting on sofa with laptop resting on my legs…..I’d often go online during the night to the valve replacement forum to get advice and encouragement….being in the UK the night was when the Aussies here were often online and also some Americans

Thank you for the helpful info. I did order a body pillow that I can wedge up against my side in bed so I don’t accidentally try to side sleep in bed. Where did you have your surgery in the UK if you don’t mind me asking? I just was in London in October for 2 weeks and was surprised they had a Cleveland Clinic so my best friend had orders to send me there if I had any cardiac emergency while on our trip. I come to the UK quite often so love to get hospital feedback so I know where to go if I’m close and there’s an emergency.

 

[Paleowoman]

Where did you have your surgery in the UK if you don’t mind me asking? I just was in London in October for 2 weeks and was surprised they had a Cleveland Clinic so my best friend had orders to send me there if I had any cardiac emergency while on our trip. I come to the UK quite often so love to get hospital feedback so I know where to go if I’m close and there’s an emergency.

I had my surgery at St Anthony's Hospital, it was the closest heart hospital to where we live.

The Cleveland Clinic in London didn't exist when I had surgery but I have already decided to go there when I have redo surgery - whenever that is ! Another forum member recommended it to me and the name of a cardiac surgeon, and it turns out that my cardiologist sees patients there and knows that surgeon so I discussed it already with him last year. (Bear in mind I get private health care from my DH's work so I don't have to use the NHS for hospital work).

It amazes me how fast everyone says they were up and walking.

They make you get up and walk in the hospital ! It's one of the best things to do for recovery.

 

[d333gs]

I am a coffee addict so it made me smile that you went down to get coffee. There’s a standing joke with my friends that since there’s a Starbucks in the lobby of the hospital, that’s how the staff will force me to walk by telling me that’s the only way I can get coffee is to go there and get it myself.

It amazes me how fast everyone says they were up and walking. I remember my dads surgeries - he was on bedrest forever in “the old days” and am so thankful for modern technology and medical advances.

Well it is surprising, in most cases, it is the incision that takes all the recovery time. If it is a simple AVR your heart is pretty well fine right out of the box although it takes it some time to adjust to its new free-flowing valve.

 

[dornole]

I am a side sleeper / frequent tosser and turner and I waited about 10 weeks after MVR to side sleep. I started in an electric recliner for about 6 weeks which stopped me from side sleeping and was a little easier on my lungs. Then I moved back to my regular bed and used a “pregnancy pillow”. It is basically a huge u shaped pillow that hugs both sides of you and it was effective in keeping me on my back as well as easy to use. The two branches of the U stay parallel if that makes sense. So it kind of cradles you and stayed put even with a flailing sleeper like me.

The first time I washed my hair I had hubs help me in the shower but even that probably wasn’t needed. I just kept my elbows near my sides and used my fingertips and that avoided any dramatic arm raising. I did kinda wish I’d colored my hair right before surgery as my roots grew out though! Finally went to a salon to deal with that as it’s a lot more “overhead” work to do that compared to just shampooing.

I started official cardiac rehab about a week after returning from my 9 day hospital stay.

 

[Colo Artist]

Hi. I'm 4 months out from OHS to repair my mitral valve. All went well and I'm doing great.

1. I'm a side sleeper too but found sleeping in my recliner for the first week home worked just fine for me. Ahead of time I bought risers for the chair and footrest. They made it much easier to get in and out of the chair. In bed I normally sleep with a wedge which has a hole for my arm. Initially I wasn't able to sleep on my side with it as the pressure on my chest was painful. But the wedge was comfortable when lying on my back. It also made it easier to get out of bed without using my arms.

2. I wear my hair in a ponytail. I asked if it would be a problem for me to able to tie my hair back right after surgery. They said no problem just keep my arms "in the tube." That is keep your arms and hands near your body. They also said washing my hair should be okay too and that raising both arms at the same time caused less stress than just raising one arm. For me it turned out to be true. No problem.

3. Rehab for me started 3 weeks post op. I was in the ICU for 4 days. Walking around the block after being home 2 days. I felt relieved to be able to exercise while being monitored. Other big pluses were...
- being with other people who were experiencing something similar.
- learning more about nutrition, although my eating habits were reasonably good.
- learning more about how the heart and pulmonary system works.
- leaning more about my meds, their side effects and interactions.

4. For me sitting in my recliner with my laptop on my lap was more comfortable than sitting at a desk. The only problem was the laptop was a bit heavy for me to lift in the beginning. A side table took care of that.

I did practice doing things without using my arms. I found a riser for the toilet to be helpful.

Post op I was rather helpless and needed help with most things. My spouse is a retired nurse so I'm very fortunate to have her by my side.

The other thing which comes to mind is that for me there was very little pain. In the ICU just a couple of tylenols were all I needed. The worst things were waking up with a tube down my throat and the two drain tubes. Not too bad considering how worried I was when I first found out I'd need surgery.

Take care.

 

[BrownEyes]

Hi. I'm 4 months out from OHS to repair my mitral valve. All went well and I'm doing great.

1. I'm a side sleeper too but found sleeping in my recliner for the first week home worked just fine for me. Ahead of time I bought risers for the chair and footrest. They made it much easier to get in and out of the chair. In bed I normally sleep with a wedge which has a hole for my arm. Initially I wasn't able to sleep on my side with it as the pressure on my chest was painful. But the wedge was comfortable when lying on my back. It also made it easier to get out of bed without using my arms.

2. I wear my hair in a ponytail. I asked if it would be a problem for me to able to tie my hair back right after surgery. They said no problem just keep my arms "in the tube." That is keep your arms and hands near your body. They also said washing my hair should be okay too and that raising both arms at the same time caused less stress than just raising one arm. For me it turned out to be true. No problem.

3. Rehab for me started 3 weeks post op. I was in the ICU for 4 days. Walking around the block after being home 2 days. I felt relieved to be able to exercise while being monitored. Other big pluses were...
- being with other people who were experiencing something similar.
- learning more about nutrition, although my eating habits were reasonably good.
- learning more about how the heart and pulmonary system works.
- leaning more about my meds, their side effects and interactions.

4. For me sitting in my recliner with my laptop on my lap was more comfortable than sitting at a desk. The only problem was the laptop was a bit heavy for me to lift in the beginning. A side table took care of that.

I did practice doing things without using my arms. I found a riser for the toilet to be helpful.

Post op I was rather helpless and needed help with most things. My spouse is a retired nurse so I'm very fortunate to have her by my side.

The other thing which comes to mind is that for me there was very little pain. In the ICU just a couple of tylenols were all I needed. The worst things were waking up with a tube down my throat and the two drain tubes. Not too bad considering how worried I was when I first found out I'd need surgery.

Take care.

Thank you. The tubes are honestly what I’m most afraid of! I am going to talk to my surgeon about that cuz I get anxiety attacks even when getting an IV. I know the pain from the tubes will be like ripping off a bandage and then will get better but I’m just not good with all that or pain.

 

[BrownEyes]

I am a side sleeper / frequent tosser and turner and I waited about 10 weeks after MVR to side sleep. I started in an electric recliner for about 6 weeks which stopped me from side sleeping and was a little easier on my lungs. Then I moved back to my regular bed and used a “pregnancy pillow”. It is basically a huge u shaped pillow that hugs both sides of you and it was effective in keeping me on my back as well as easy to use. The two branches of the U stay parallel if that makes sense. So it kind of cradles you and stayed put even with a flailing sleeper like me.

The first time I washed my hair I had hubs help me in the shower but even that probably wasn’t needed. I just kept my elbows near my sides and used my fingertips and that avoided any dramatic arm raising. I did kinda wish I’d colored my hair right before surgery as my roots grew out though! Finally went to a salon to deal with that as it’s a lot more “overhead” work to do that compared to just shampooing.

I started official cardiac rehab about a week after returning from my 9 day hospital stay.

I am a restless sleeper too so I’ll look into the pregnancy pillow. Thanks for the tip!

 

[Colo Artist]

To be honest the tubes weren't all that bad. They were mostly in the way whenever I moved...them and the suction machine. The tubes only hurt somewhat when I had to take deep breaths for exercising my lungs. It was quick when they pulled them and mostly was like a sting which lasted a day or so.

 

[V__]

1. I’m a side sleeper. I have a really hard time sleeping flat. ... My question is for you side sleepers, how long after OHS were you able to sleep in your side?

Same here. From memory, on the 3rd day in the hospital I asked if it's ok to sleep on a side, and they ok'ed it. However, I had a "minimally invasive" operation. It might be different with the full sternotomy.

2. Showering. I read great feedback on getting a shower bench which I just ordered. But I read you can’t raise your arms above your head for a few weeks. Any tips then on how to wash your hair? I am a female with long hair so I do plan to cut it much shorter prior to surgery, but still any tips on washing when you can’t reach up?

I could reach up after a few days. Cutting hair is a good idea!

4. I own a side business and want to use my down time from my recovery to rebuild my business website. Using a laptop - what’s the less painful way? Lap desk? sitting at a normal desk? Or will that be uncomfortable?

Regular desk was ok. Or the rolling tray they had in the hospital. There was no laptop-related issues. You do need enough stamina to work, however. Which recovers slowly and its course really depends on your fitness and individual circumstances. I wouldn't plan an aggressive work schedule, that's for sure.

Somewhere on this site I read about a patient taking a business call in ICU and getting to work soon after discharge. That's probably an extreme outlier. I read some emails at the end of 1st week (still in the hospital), then worked remotely at 50% time at home for the next 4 weeks. I'm sure there can be quite a bit of variance for different people in this "dynamics".

Thanks in advance! Loved all the other tips I read to help me prepare.

If you are imagining using appliances when in hospital, it would be useful to get an extension cord. That was one of very useful advices from this forum, that helped. Somehow the electrical outlets are far away.

 

[Chuck C]

Somewhere on this site I read about a patient taking a business call in ICU and getting to work soon after discharge

That was probably me. I actually took one business call in the afternoon the day of surgery and responded to a few emails that same day. I told the client that if I sounded a little off that was because I had OHS a few hours ago, lol.
It would have been challenging if I had to work for hours, but a few minutes here and there was not a problem.

 

[BrownEyes]

Same here. From memory, on the 3rd day in the hospital I asked if it's ok to sleep on a side, and they ok'ed it. However, I had a "minimally invasive" operation. It might be different with the full sternotomy.


I could reach up after a few days. Cutting hair is a good idea!


Regular desk was ok. Or the rolling tray they had in the hospital. There was no laptop-related issues. You do need enough stamina to work, however. Which recovers slowly and its course really depends on your fitness and individual circumstances. I wouldn't plan an aggressive work schedule, that's for sure.

Somewhere on this site I read about a patient taking a business call in ICU and getting to work soon after discharge. That's probably an extreme outlier. I read some emails at the end of 1st week (still in the hospital), then worked remotely at 50% time at home for the next 4 weeks. I'm sure there can be quite a bit of variance for different people in this "dynamics".


If you are imagining using appliances when in hospital, it would be useful to get an extension cord. That was one of very useful advices from this forum, that helped. Somehow the electrical outlets are far away.

Thanks for this! I don’t plan on using my laptop until like weeks 4-6 and only if I feel up to it. Definitely not going to rush my recovery.

 

[BrownEyes]

That was probably me. I actually took one business call in the afternoon the day of surgery and responded to a few emails that same day. I told the client that if I sounded a little off that was because I had OHS a few hours ago, lol.
It would have been challenging if I had to work for hours, but a few minutes here and there was not a problem.

Chuck that amazes me!