Questions for first postop visit

[DachsieMom]

Hi! I am going for my first post op visit soon (it will be 5 weeks after my surgery, which was 4/9). I thought there was a sticky for questions at this visit, but can't seem to locate it. Am I wrong? Anyone have suggestions? By the way, what is PVC? I saw a reference to it in a post but have no idea what it means. Thank you!

 

[Paleowoman]

PVC (PCV ?) - that must refer to the kind of sudden irregular heart beats or extra beats people can get, not sure it's connected to atrial fibrillation. I was getting sudden rapid heart beats for a few seconds a few weeks post op and had 24 hour ECG holter monitor to check. They noted some PVC (PCV's ?) but said they weren't out of the ordinary.

 

[AZ Don]

At that timeframe I was wondering about things like:
How soon can I drive?
How much can I walk?
When can I start exercising/swimming/return to work?
Should I do Cardiac Rehab?
Medication changes? (I cut back on Metoprolol as my heart slowed down)
How does the echo look?

 

[epstns]

Don has hit most of the high points.

Something else to consider is a discussion with your surgeon regarding a transition plan back to whatever your "normal" life contained. Make some notes of what you were able to do (or wanted to be able to do) in the past and discuss with your surgeon how you can return to as much as possible of it.

 

[tom in MO]

THey will take an Xray to see how your bones are healing. I'd ask if they are healing OK and about any new or different activity or weight lifting restrictions. Ask when you can return to work or full activities.