What kind of PT is there shortly after surgery?

[ponygirlmom]

I didn't know whether to post this here or in the Post Surgery forum.

I've read about spirometers, and how patients start practicing blowing into them not long after surgery. (I'm assuming that patients use the spirometer rather than just doing breathing exercises because the doctor can monitor the breathing.)

However, I haven't read anything else about any kind of physical therapy during the week in the hospital or even the next few months afterwards.

Besides getting up every hour to walk around (I've read about this in many places) did any of you do any breathing, stretching or moving exercises? Did the doctor send you to PT?

 

[Ross]

You don't do much at all but walking in the hospital. After release, it's between you, your Doc and insurance company as to whether or not you need to go to rehab. I would recommend it, but it's not necessary. Some insurance companies will pay, some won't.

 

[Freddie]

Yep, just walking after surgery for me. On discharge day, I was never told about any rehab of any kind.

The physical therapist came by and told me about breathing exercises and some arm movements to do at home and on my own.

 

[Bina]

On discharge day, the hospital PT was very strict about what I could NOT do and what I could do.
I was in bad shape....she suggested some movements to do while sitting, start with tapping my foot, then move on to lifting and holding up my feet, turning my ankles etc. Lifting arms, making small circles, etc.

 

[Superbob]

For me, it was the spirometer and walking my five days in the hospital.

Back home, it was still the spirometer and walks of gradually increasing lengths (surgeon's office gave recommendations on schedule).

Then, several weeks later, I did 36 sessions of cardiac rehab at the local hospital, something that I benefitted from and thoroughly enjoyed. Luckily, my insurance picked up the tab. I recommend cardiac rehab but check first to see if your insurance covers. If not available, can consult some medical professionals, reputable health club people, books, etc., if you need advice, and work out your own schedule.

All best wishes,

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Cardiac Rehab is a good idea if your insurance will pay for it.

Note that most surgeons / cardiologists recommend starting rehab AFTER 6 weeks post-op. Just walking and simple exercises before that. Some surgeons give handouts on recommended early exercises.

My Surgeon's assistant recommended using the spirometer for 10 minutes every 2 hours I was awake.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[ponygirlmom]

.... Then, several weeks later, I did 36 sessions of cardiac rehab at the local hospital, something that I benefitted from and thoroughly enjoyed.

What sorts of things did you do in cardiac rehab?

 

[SumoRunner]

I did nothing but walking, but that was 17 years ago. I would have thought it was different now. I do remember the spirometer thing because they somehow collapsed one of my lungs during surgery. It took a lot of work over several months to re-inflate it. My assumption was that was not normal though.

 

[Superbob]

Cardiac Rehab

Cardiac Rehab

What sorts of things did you do in cardiac rehab?

Well, the nurses monitor it from start to finish, keeping track of your BP and heart rate.

After evaluating you individually, they figure where you need to start in an exercise program -- how many reps -- and you go through a circuit of machines -- treadmill, stationary bike, step-type machines (forget the exact name), and ergometer (which you work with your arms); and then finish in a weight room with light weights -- very light to begin with. You also track your weight, which is important b/c of possible fluid retention as well as general health.

Equipment and routine may vary from one cardiac rehab site to another. I did this in a small community hospital nearby (not the big hospital where I had the surgery) so others may have a wider array of fancier equipment. But the nurses and participants were all great. We had a lot of laughs every day -- which was therapeutic in itself, laughter being the best medicine -- sort of like Cooker's Throw Down now (can't guarantee the laughs accompany rehab everywhere). Many in the group had completed the prescribed rehab but continued in it for a year or more, paying something like $5 out of pocket per session, just because they enjoyed it so much. I would have done that but we moved out here to the mountains (from the DC area) about the time my 36 sessions were ending.

So anyway, as you no doubt can tell, I am a fan of cardiac rehab.

 

[ponygirlmom]

You also track your weight, which is important b/c of possible fluid retention as well as general health.

This made me laugh, because the Mayo Clinic (where I go) is not only obsessed with weight (sort of understandable) but also with height. If you have three appointments at the same clinic, on the same day, they will not only check your weight three times, but your height as well!

(They say they have reprogrammed their computers to ask for these things just once a day, but it hasn't caught on yet. Someday I'm going to bribe a nurse to measure me at 4pm in really high heels. I'll say the good nutrition at the cafeteria made me grow.)

If Mayo is running a cardiac rehab program, I'll bet they check your weight after every exercise.

 

[Superbob]

This made me laugh, because the Mayo Clinic (where I go) is not only obsessed with weight (sort of understandable) but also with height. If you have three appointments at the same clinic, on the same day, they will not only check your weight three times, but your height as well!

(They say they have reprogrammed their computers to ask for these things just once a day, but it hasn't caught on yet. Someday I'm going to bribe a nurse to measure me at 4pm in really high heels. I'll say the good nutrition at the cafeteria made me grow.)

If Mayo is running a cardiac rehab program, I'll bet they check your weight after every exercise.

That's funny, LOL. As I recall in rehab at the little community hospital, we weighed in only once a week. I only remember being measured for height in the initial analysis -- that's ridiculous to keep measuring height. Maybe it's like many things -- the larger the organization, the sillier the bureaucratic requirements.

 

[hensylee]

we had the spirometer right off, They gave me a sheet of small exrcises to do each day several times; just light stuff and told me to do it when I went home six days later. Also we were required to walk the halls several times a day and go up/down steps. All of us at the same time - what a sight!

 

[WayneGM]

Spirometer, walking, and stretching exercises was all the doctor ordered. I didn't go to rehab, although in hindsight I wish I had. The doc didn't think it necessary when I asked about it.

 

[Philip B]

Pt

Pt

Like others have indicated, walking seems to be the PT activity of choice immediately following AVR surgery. You'll probably find that walking will be a good challenging activity for awhile after your surgery and release from the hospital.

I tried to convince my wife that sex was officially perscribed as a PT activity immediately following surgery during my hospital stay. For some reason she didn't buy it and was totally uncooperative. I was really disappointed.

Speaking personally and seriously, I firmly believe in the benefits of participating in a formal, hospital sponsored cardiac rehab program. Often the folks who run these programs won't accept participants until the reach a minimum number of weeks post-op.

-Philip