Walking post surgery

[mn2mx]

I've been walking around the yard, garden and orchard since I returned home...I get tired fairly easily. I had surgery on the 26th for AVR and triple bypass. I have been trying to do this routine 4 or 5 times each day. How much is too much? How much is too little? I realise everything is relative...but some advice? It's dropping in temps now, highs in the 40s F (5-10 C)

 

[jerseysue]

I think you're doing just the right thing, walking a lot, it's how I recovered from Aortic valve replacement surgery 22 yrs. ago. It was raining a lot so I walked indoors, up and down the halls, in and out of rooms (in a not very big condo) and when I could I went outside. Just listen to your body, when you feel tired take a rest, then go again. Your stamina will gradually build up over the weeks, and each week you'll be able to do a bit more than the week before. It takes time, several months - and my surgeon said that you can still feel "tweaks and twinges" up to a full year later. He was right. All my best in your recovery!!!

 

[honeybunny]

Ditto on what Jerseysue said. Do as much as you can and rest when you are tired. And contact your cardio if you find yourself having shortness of breath. Finally, follow the instructions they gave you upon discharge while keeping in mind that everyone is different.

What was your activity level before surgery?

 

[mn2mx]

Thanks everyone. I was out cutting firewood and loading logs two weeks before surgery. I knew I'd need AVR since I had a bicuspid valve, but at nearly 67 years old I was told I was two to three years away from surgery. I was getting increasingly symptomatic, though and went to MSP VAMC for an angiogram which found three blockages. My choice of surgeon had no openings until after Thanksgiving, but cleared her schedule for the following Monday morning. (She's Sara Jane Shumway, daughter of Norman Shumway the father of heart transplants at Stanford). She kept me under house arrest for nearly a week which made me go stir crazy. My wife came home (4.5 hours north) to get things in order and returned the day before surgery. I am a log and stone worker, large gardens and orchards. My wife mentioned that she never really saw me take breaks until this summer.