Reality...... At Six Months Out

[Jkm7]

I'm coming up to five months post op and have six months as my goal date to be mostly back to myself again.

I honestly don't remember what I was like at six months my last surgery but do recall it was a full year before it was all behind me. This time I healed faster right from the start. I was driving 2 1/2 weeks after being home from the hospital (short hops for quick errands) and felt up to it. Last time it was more like 8 or 9 weeks.

Do you remember how you were at six months post op? Mostly over and done with the recovery?

 

[Dina]

Well I'm 5 and 1/2 months post op now and I feel about 80% healed,my
last echo 6 weeks ago showed very little regurg. and a lessening of my
rt sided dilation( which is amazing). I have been bike riding on good days
and I can walk the steps better than before my surgery(when I was real SOB).
I dont have sternal discomfort,just stiffness when I wake up.
I know most are way ahead of me in regards to exercise and activity
because of my slight rt sided failure, so I am happy to show even a small
improvement.
Dina

 

[DeWayne]

At 6 months I was on the golf course playing golf.

 

[WayneGM]

At 6 months I recall doing most things again, although still in moderation. For example, I was riding my bike, but not nearly as long or as far as I usually did. I still had good days and bad days. It was a year before I could honestly say I felt 100%. Keep in mind, I went into OHS asymtomatic so I felt much worse post-op than I ever did pre-op.

 

[gerrys]

I'm at 13 weeks post and here's what I've done thusfar:
Walk about 4 miles per day
Fish regularly and launch/retrieve my 24' boat by my lonesome
Swim almost daily, snorkel occasionally
Laid and grouted the floor of a large room with tile (not the little ones but 18"X18" - 1/2 inch thick) and handled and mixed 50# bags of mortor
Flew to St Kitts and married my daughter off to a great guy (just returned)
I found that my recovery really "kicked in" during the 6th week post and it's been going well since then. I'm going to try swinging a golf club this week to see how the turn and torsion of the swing feels on the ol' sternum. I think with slow but steady activity I can get there soon.
I targeted 20 weeks as my goal for full activity (all but the most strenuous activity). I still think this realistic for me, recognizing everyone's body and recovery is different.

 

[Jkm7]

Thanks for your responses.
I avoid heavy lifting as it isn't necessary in my life and after having my sternum cracked twice, it's good to be kind to it. For the most part, I'm doing most things I've always done though perhaps a bit slower and shorter lengths of time.
I have hope my six months goal is realistic.
Good to hear how others progressed.

 

[Tom F.]

At six months I was pretty much all better, unless I pushed myself. I stayed a bit more tired for a longer time than I would have before surgery. so basically the energy reserves were not quite there, and recovery time was a bit longer.

 

[neil]

take your time

take your time

I'm coming up to five months post op and have six months as my goal date to be mostly back to myself again.

I honestly don't remember what I was like at six months my last surgery but do recall it was a full year before it was all behind me. This time I healed faster right from the start. I was driving 2 1/2 weeks after being home from the hospital (short hops for quick errands) and felt up to it. Last time it was more like 8 or 9 weeks.

Do you remember how you were at six months post op? Mostly over and done with the recovery?

hi.yea am also about 6 month ,about 90 per cent there,just listen to your body............everbody is different some heal quick some not..............i read where you hear some people are back to normal after 3 month............not me lol.............been a long journey tiredness etc but getting there.................just take care.................

 

[Jkm7]

Hi Neil,

Thank you for your message. Good to hear from someone who is at six months post op. I'm only a little over a month behind you.

Welcome to VR..... Happy you are doing well.