Surgery scheduled for Jan 21...questions

[Guest]

Hi to all you helpful folks--
I have scheduled a "valve job" for Jan 21. Both aortic and mitral valves will be repaired/replaced....surgeon won't decided definitely until he can see them.

Now I need to collect info.....I am one of the people who wants to know all the details and get as few surprises as possible! Currently I am thinking of comfortable things to wear post-sternectomy. Button down the front.....has anyone cut a turtle neck down the front and attached velcro? Here in Minnesota it is cold in January....and I am thinking shirt covered by a sweater or polar fleece zip up.

I am having trouble figuring out which motions will be painful.....raising your arms (such as shampooing in the shower?) I know lifting is out and hope to avoid sneezing!

Any other suggestions are more than welcome!

Pat

 

[Bina]

Yes, it is hard to pull sweaters over the head for several weeks.
I wore loose fitting T-shirts with a polar fleece button front cardigan for warmth. Zipper fronts bugged my incision.

 

[Freddie]

Oh yes indeed - you will want to avoid zippers rubbing on the incision or any pressure around that area. Loose fitting clothing will be best.

 

[Kiwi Girl]

I'm thinking velcro might irritate the incision too?

 

[Lynlw]

Justin usually wears button down shirts at least the first week or so, then bigger t-shirts, (I personanly find velco uncomfortable and prickly) May since you are worried about being cold, you could wear nice soft flannel or chamois shirts that button down.
for bottoms, Justin wears gymn type shorts, with, sweats, with drawstring elastic waist bands, depending on the weather temp. He is more comfortable wearing his own at at the hospital too,usuallly when he is walking alot or is moved out of CICU

 

[mac]

Hey!! Welcome,
i live in superior, up by duluth, so am use to the cold. Had my avr and by-pass on 11/19/09. I dressed normal when leaving the hospital, with a button down shirt. Don't get carried away with the velcro and etc...within in a week i was putting on my t-shirts. Even the shower, one day i used a little stool then decided it was to much hassle and showered normally. You will be surprised on how fast you will be able to use your arms and wash your hair and etc.
As i stated in an earlier post, when getting out of bed, up from the couch, chair...etc, use your stomach muscles, legs, to get up. Try to avoid pushing up with your arms. Not sure how old you are or the shape you are in, but flexing your stomach like doing a sit-up will bring your upper body up no problem. I am alittle over 4 weeks post op and i know i have cheated on the the guide lines.....it is hard, the 5 lb min. Lifting is probly the hardest. Everything seems to weigh more than 5 lb. Pulling on a store front door is more than 5 lb of stress, use both hand.
Do your walking, workout. Stationary bike is the best investment i ever made. Living up here walking outside suck alot of the time. Buy a good bike if you don't have one. I love my bike and it will be a part of my daily program the rest of my life.
If you are getting a mechanical valve, don't be afried of big changes in your life style because of the anti-clog's...warfrin. In 4 weeks my numbers are leveled out and i havn't changed my diet much. Still have a pint of beer now and agin and it hasn't affected anything.....lol..was alittle afried of that because i enjoy a nice micro beer sometimes.
Be patient with your recovery. Everyone heals dif. I still have numbness in my right hand fingers and a dull pain in my shoulder, it will go away in time,patients, patients. Ok i rambled enough, there are alot of good people here with great input.
Later, mac
avr, single by-pass 11/19/09
carbo medics mecanical
dr. Suri
mayo clinic

 

[Mentu]

Pat, one of the old hands at VR mentioned V-Neck Tee shirts. I tried them and they are a lot easier to deal with. What Mac said about the weight limit was certainly true for me. At first, it is very easy and really tempting to lift something when it is unwise. Be wise. At least early on, you will only pay with several days of muscle strain across the chest if you push the limits. I, too, have found zippers uncomfortable against my chest and I am still using a small fluffy pillow when I drive a car to hold the shoulder strap away from my incision site. I might also suggest that if you frequently use things stored on upper shelves that you consider moving those items to a counter top for a few weeks.

Larry

 

[Lionheart]

Don't forget your feet. Mine were always cold for several weeks after surgery.

Best wishes,
John

 

[river-wear]

The best thing for cold feet around the house? The North Face makes down-filled booties. Sometimes they are called tent slippers. I looooove them! REI has their own brand of them too. They are good because they go up your ankles a couple of inches so the cold doesn't get near your feet. I wear them all winter long in my house.

Michele