Here's a question for all of you... Have any of you noticed a decrease in your posture since surgery? Someone asked me a couple of months ago if I had poor posture because of my surgeries. Well, I hadn't thought about it, but the more I did the following came to mind. Right after surgery we all carry around our pillows and are very protective of our chests. So we round our sholders in and our overall posture is definitely decreased. When this person brought my posture to my attention (saying she was sad to see such stooped posture on someone so young) it really bugged me. I would love to know how to "fix" this problem, but have been having a hard time doing so on my own. Any suggestions???
Posture
- Thread starter Gnusgal
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LUVMyBirman
Well-known member
How forward, huh Niki? Some people just need to put a plug in it.
My posture was not the best before surgery. My father is the same way and he has MVP with 2+ require now. Wish for the life of me could locate some of the old MVP sites highlighting characteristics of people with MVP. One mention was a slouched posture because of a small chest cavity. Will see what I can dig up.
Take it with a grain my friend. Your living life. And it's too short to worry about what other people think.
"Mitral valve prolapse is believed to be inherited, with a greater expression of the MVP gene in females. Although people with MVP come in all shapes and sizes, there are physical features commonly associated with MVP. These include: pectus excavatum depression of the breast bone, scoliosis curvature of the spine, abnormally straight thoracic spine straight back, arm span greater than height, unusual joint flexibility, and low body weight"
http://www.nursing.wright.edu/practice/mvp/default.htm
Niki, I see it was your Tricuspid. The same may hold true?
My posture was not the best before surgery. My father is the same way and he has MVP with 2+ require now. Wish for the life of me could locate some of the old MVP sites highlighting characteristics of people with MVP. One mention was a slouched posture because of a small chest cavity. Will see what I can dig up.
Take it with a grain my friend. Your living life. And it's too short to worry about what other people think.
"Mitral valve prolapse is believed to be inherited, with a greater expression of the MVP gene in females. Although people with MVP come in all shapes and sizes, there are physical features commonly associated with MVP. These include: pectus excavatum depression of the breast bone, scoliosis curvature of the spine, abnormally straight thoracic spine straight back, arm span greater than height, unusual joint flexibility, and low body weight"
http://www.nursing.wright.edu/practice/mvp/default.htm
Niki, I see it was your Tricuspid. The same may hold true?
Y
Yokena
Posture
After my surgery at Mayo, I was given some stretching/flexibility exercises to do and "encouraged" to walk with my shoulders back and head up because they said I would develop that slump if I didn't. If I remember right, they even said the sternum could heal in a way that you couldn't straighten up, if you didn't watch how you stood and sat. Seems to me it could be more important than just a matter of appearance. My posture's not that good anyway, so thanks for the reminder. I just sat up straighter and will try to stay this way (until I forget again!).
Joyce
After my surgery at Mayo, I was given some stretching/flexibility exercises to do and "encouraged" to walk with my shoulders back and head up because they said I would develop that slump if I didn't. If I remember right, they even said the sternum could heal in a way that you couldn't straighten up, if you didn't watch how you stood and sat. Seems to me it could be more important than just a matter of appearance. My posture's not that good anyway, so thanks for the reminder. I just sat up straighter and will try to stay this way (until I forget again!).
Joyce
Johnny Stephens
Well-known member
I do indeed find myself hunching forward, especially after I've been sitting at a desk all day long. I think for me it is a vestige of the post-op time when I was trying to protect my sternum. I was flat on my back for 9 days in ICU and like Joyce, once I woke up I got a lot of coaching to sit up straight, with my shoulders back, etc.
Nancy
Well-known member
Yes, yes, yes--
After 3 heart surgeries and 2 lung surgeries, Joe developed a very rounded back. I think the muscles in his chest have shortened and the muscles in his back, shoulders and neck have stretched out. It can cause muscular pain in the region. He is trying now to correct this protective posture and does look better. But he's had about 6 years of surgeries and medical problems, so it will take a little time to get it straightened out.
Just be aware of it and try gentle stretching and flexibility excercises.
Good luck.
After 3 heart surgeries and 2 lung surgeries, Joe developed a very rounded back. I think the muscles in his chest have shortened and the muscles in his back, shoulders and neck have stretched out. It can cause muscular pain in the region. He is trying now to correct this protective posture and does look better. But he's had about 6 years of surgeries and medical problems, so it will take a little time to get it straightened out.
Just be aware of it and try gentle stretching and flexibility excercises.
Good luck.
L
Les
Hi Niki,
Everyone is so right...you do tend to "lean into it" a bit after surgery. Just think though...our concerns with valve surgery are MUCH less than the pressure this person who called attention to your posture has. They have to wake up each day and pretend to be perfect! What a stress that must be!
_________________
Les AVR '93 / '95
Everyone is so right...you do tend to "lean into it" a bit after surgery. Just think though...our concerns with valve surgery are MUCH less than the pressure this person who called attention to your posture has. They have to wake up each day and pretend to be perfect! What a stress that must be!
_________________
Les AVR '93 / '95
Mark Wagner
Well-known member
Les ... your pic ...
Les ... your pic ...
Les, I noticed that your 50 NOW .... 5-ooooh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That picture sure as hell isn't a 50 year old mans picture. OKAY, A LITTLE HONESTY HERE BROTHER!!! Let's have the update. Quit trying to fool all the women that frequent these pages. You know good and well you don't have that much hair anymore!!
Les ... your pic ...
Les, I noticed that your 50 NOW .... 5-ooooh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That picture sure as hell isn't a 50 year old mans picture. OKAY, A LITTLE HONESTY HERE BROTHER!!! Let's have the update. Quit trying to fool all the women that frequent these pages. You know good and well you don't have that much hair anymore!!
L
Les
Mark,
Same face ( just 2 years older)...same hair (a few more silver)...even at the BIG 5-0.... I thank my genes each time I use a comb!
______________
Les AVR '93 / '95
Same face ( just 2 years older)...same hair (a few more silver)...even at the BIG 5-0.... I thank my genes each time I use a comb!
______________
Les AVR '93 / '95
G
Georgia
It's men
It's men
Strangely enough, I had a conversation on this topic with the physiotherapist at cardiac rehab. I'm in Phase III now, and hadn't met this guy when I was still in Phase II; he thought that I hadn't had a sternotomy because my posture is good. I really worked on that because I'd had poor posture as a teen and had to really work at improving it.
He said that men have much more trouble with posture after a sternotomy because they have so much more muscle mass in their chests than women. Therefore, have more healing time required, and more cramping and more trouble standing up straight, etc. He said that the sooner you guys get in Phase II the better you do with postural problems.
It's men
Strangely enough, I had a conversation on this topic with the physiotherapist at cardiac rehab. I'm in Phase III now, and hadn't met this guy when I was still in Phase II; he thought that I hadn't had a sternotomy because my posture is good. I really worked on that because I'd had poor posture as a teen and had to really work at improving it.
He said that men have much more trouble with posture after a sternotomy because they have so much more muscle mass in their chests than women. Therefore, have more healing time required, and more cramping and more trouble standing up straight, etc. He said that the sooner you guys get in Phase II the better you do with postural problems.
M
martha
Yes, yes for me. Never had a problem before surgery. When I think about it I pull my sholders back. I find myself hunched forward when I walk. Especially when I'm tired or carrying in heavy grocerys or other heavy things. martha
D
David by Philly
Hi,
Yes, with less than two weeks post surgery, I already noticed how I am walking around the house with poor posture.
I try to stand up straighter, and can feel pulling in the notch of my neck and sides. I think that is part of the reason they give us the excercises that stretch out our chest muscles.
Yes, with less than two weeks post surgery, I already noticed how I am walking around the house with poor posture.
I try to stand up straighter, and can feel pulling in the notch of my neck and sides. I think that is part of the reason they give us the excercises that stretch out our chest muscles.
P
Perrster
"Stand Up Straight!"
"Stand Up Straight!"
...she says.
My wife gives me crap about my posture all the time. I know it's there and I guess exercise doesn't help it much.
I go to a message therapist once or twice a year for a "tune-up" which seems to work. Maybe a Chiropractor would do the same?
Regards,
"Stand Up Straight!"
...she says.
My wife gives me crap about my posture all the time. I know it's there and I guess exercise doesn't help it much.
I go to a message therapist once or twice a year for a "tune-up" which seems to work. Maybe a Chiropractor would do the same?
Regards,
P
pillarpaul
Just want to ditto everybdoy's responses. I am a little over two months post-op now. For a couple of weeks my posture was horrendous. Definitely trying to "protect" the sternum against all evils and it just felt good to be rounded. When I got to cardiac rehab they made me do a lot of range of motion exercises. I also did professional massages that helped immensely. I had also heard that if you don't stand up straight your scar will heal improperly. I think I'm doing much better now - just tough psycholgically for a while. I like Les's comment too about this person having to feel perfect - that would be hard.
Paul
Paul
J
John Cochran
better posture thru exercise
better posture thru exercise
The good news is that most of this is correctable. The bad news is that it takes some hard work, that may even be a tad painful at first. Three basic exercises will greatly improve posture once the sternum is fully healed (check with your doc before doing any of these).
1) the major pectoral muscles, as well as the tendons and ligaments connected to them, suffer from a period of immobility after OHS. The best exercises for rehabilitating them are the bench press and/or pushups. Start slow with very low weights for bench presses; for pushups, start with only a small dip, with your knees in contact with the floor. In either case, do these exercise only every other day. Work up to 3 sets of 15 repetitions, increasing by no more than 5 percent each exercise session.
2) rowing exercises will rehabilitate the back muscles, which have also atrophied after OHS. A rowing machine, or bending from the waist while standing with light barbells and performing a rowing motion, will whip those muscles, tendons and ligaments back in to shape. Proceed as with 1) for sets and repetitions.
3) the abdominal muscles play a huge role in posture and in protecting the lower back. Full situps are not necessary; rather, lying on your back, with your feet flat on the floor (knees bent), curl your body upwards until your head and back leave the ground. Then return to the reclined position, but without fully relaxing the abdominal muscles. Again, working up to 3 sets of 15 will strengthen those abs significantly and help overall posture.
If you think these exercises are excessive, take a look at the exercise regime Arnold Schwartzeneger is doing at age 54 to get in shape for "Terminator 3." Arnold has, like us, had valve replacement surgery. He is training six days a week, but avoids very heavy weights and concentrates on adding repetitions instead. Not that any of us would try to replicate his schedule, but it shows what is possible after valve replacement.
The exercises I've listed above all came from a physical therapist, with blessing from my own personal trainer. At 52 and one year post-op, my posture is the same as when I was 25. Barring genetic issues, scoliosis or other structural abnormalities, everyone should be able to bring their post-op posture back to normal.
Good luck and best wishes,
--John
better posture thru exercise
The good news is that most of this is correctable. The bad news is that it takes some hard work, that may even be a tad painful at first. Three basic exercises will greatly improve posture once the sternum is fully healed (check with your doc before doing any of these).
1) the major pectoral muscles, as well as the tendons and ligaments connected to them, suffer from a period of immobility after OHS. The best exercises for rehabilitating them are the bench press and/or pushups. Start slow with very low weights for bench presses; for pushups, start with only a small dip, with your knees in contact with the floor. In either case, do these exercise only every other day. Work up to 3 sets of 15 repetitions, increasing by no more than 5 percent each exercise session.
2) rowing exercises will rehabilitate the back muscles, which have also atrophied after OHS. A rowing machine, or bending from the waist while standing with light barbells and performing a rowing motion, will whip those muscles, tendons and ligaments back in to shape. Proceed as with 1) for sets and repetitions.
3) the abdominal muscles play a huge role in posture and in protecting the lower back. Full situps are not necessary; rather, lying on your back, with your feet flat on the floor (knees bent), curl your body upwards until your head and back leave the ground. Then return to the reclined position, but without fully relaxing the abdominal muscles. Again, working up to 3 sets of 15 will strengthen those abs significantly and help overall posture.
If you think these exercises are excessive, take a look at the exercise regime Arnold Schwartzeneger is doing at age 54 to get in shape for "Terminator 3." Arnold has, like us, had valve replacement surgery. He is training six days a week, but avoids very heavy weights and concentrates on adding repetitions instead. Not that any of us would try to replicate his schedule, but it shows what is possible after valve replacement.
The exercises I've listed above all came from a physical therapist, with blessing from my own personal trainer. At 52 and one year post-op, my posture is the same as when I was 25. Barring genetic issues, scoliosis or other structural abnormalities, everyone should be able to bring their post-op posture back to normal.
Good luck and best wishes,
--John
hi niki!
everyone's advice was great!
john, especially, gave some good tips. this is fixable!
i used to do some personal training years ago and i loved working with "older" clients. most of these women were somewhat "hunched over".
there are opposing muscle groups in your body. for instance, quadriceps (front thigh) and hamstrings (back thigh), and
also pectoral muscles (chest) and back muscles (lats, rhomboids, etc). when working one set of these muscles, you are in essence tightening them. at the same time, you are stretching and lengthening the opposing set.
the bad posture you refer to is the tightening of your chest muscles as a result of surgery and just naturally protecting them from any outside harm (thus the leaning forward).
nancy also referred to gentle stretching of these muscles. by stretching these and strengthening your back muscles (rowing exercises as per john, and also others such as "back flies, lat pulldowns) you will be tightening your back muscles and this, along with stretching your pecs (chest) should balance out your posture.
i see a huge difference in joey since he has been doing all these exercises and working with a trainer.
sorry to be so lengthy. hope this helped.
be well, sylvia
everyone's advice was great!
john, especially, gave some good tips. this is fixable!
i used to do some personal training years ago and i loved working with "older" clients. most of these women were somewhat "hunched over".
there are opposing muscle groups in your body. for instance, quadriceps (front thigh) and hamstrings (back thigh), and
also pectoral muscles (chest) and back muscles (lats, rhomboids, etc). when working one set of these muscles, you are in essence tightening them. at the same time, you are stretching and lengthening the opposing set.
the bad posture you refer to is the tightening of your chest muscles as a result of surgery and just naturally protecting them from any outside harm (thus the leaning forward).
nancy also referred to gentle stretching of these muscles. by stretching these and strengthening your back muscles (rowing exercises as per john, and also others such as "back flies, lat pulldowns) you will be tightening your back muscles and this, along with stretching your pecs (chest) should balance out your posture.
i see a huge difference in joey since he has been doing all these exercises and working with a trainer.
sorry to be so lengthy. hope this helped.
be well, sylvia
