I’m having major surgery in 6 weeks. How should I prepare?

[Abracad]

Hi all. I’m having heart surgery in six weeks. I’d like to make sure I’m as well, physically AND mentally, as I can be - so if love your advice on how to prepare? I’m too ill to exercise, but I have been eating carefully for a while. I’m considering a vegan for the next few weeks. I’d also like to be kind to myself - maybe making a list to choose from each day. And perhaps read or watch things which will make me feel uplifted. I don’t know! I’d love your ideas. Thank you.

I have no experience so don’t really know what to advise but I’m not sure being vegan is wise. You will probably benefit from good fats in your diet such as oily fish, almonds etc. As for what to read and watch - what do you currently enjoy? Nice bedding for post-surgery? Comfy clothes?

I wouldn’t switch to vegan as it’s easier to get protein and iron on a mixed diet especially if you don’t have a big appetite.
Focus on unprocessed choices where possible provided you are not too ill to cook.

Rest now. Try to go into the surgery as well as you can be.

Perhaps get a kindle or audiobooks so you can relax with whatever book takes your fancy.

Definitely don't go vegan. Get as much iron into you as you can. And take some vitamins.

Thank you. I will ditch the vegan idea!
I was just reading about various supplements I can take. I was also wondering about massage or similar.

My doc used to say steak was the best way to raise your iron levels an you freeze some meals for when you come home..lasagnes, shepherds pies etc

Will you have someone to look after you?

Have you got Netflix? Everything is on there for £6 a month. Well worth it. Some great binge watching.
It sounds very daunting so I hope all goes well

Presumably you’re on medication so I’d ask Gp if he can recommend anything supplement wise.

I would see if there’s any you tube self hypnosis videos, where you go into a trance like state but you talk to your body about how quickly it will recover and how well you will feel

We don’texercise our minds enough
Have a look at Bach flower remedies for fear, anxiety etc..rescue remedy would be a good starting off point
Lavender essential oil to calm and geranium to uplift.
Molasses is good for iron and black treacle.

If you’re on your own pre cook and freeze meals.

Depending where the scar is, big soft Pjs/jogging bottoms. Also cosy slippers/dressing gown.

Again depending on mobility, things that help with sofa meals like a bean bag lap tray, insulated mugs, drinking bottles with straws.

A little bell if you are lucky enough to be waited on (joking, not joking).

For iron I preferred the spa tone sachets to iron tablets as they bunged me up something rotten. Drink them in some orange juice to hide the taste of nails and give you vit c to aid iron absorption.

Scar massage is good but make sure it is healed closed properly. Something like bio oil is good, silicone creams etc. My friend’s surgeon recommended she buy capsules of vitamin E (oral ones) but add it to the scar cream. Massage will help the scar stay supple and encourage blood flow. If your scar is somewhere that will be exposed remember to use sun cream too to stop it going red.

Books are good but thing like puzzles, playing cards etc for when you need something mindless.

I spent a week in hospital recently after surgery and I took in knitting. It was great for just calming me and I think better than too much staring at screens. Audiobooks were a total lifesaver - maybe get an Audible subscription if you don’t have one.

Sorry just re read your OP and see it’s heart, probably worry less about sun cream etc.

But depending on where the scar is you might want soft T-shirt bras without wiring etc for when you venture out.

My husband had OHS to replace his aortic valve in March last year. He fully expected to be back to work within 6 weeks but he had nearly 4 months off. We bought a second hand leather recliner for day sitting and sleeping for when he couldn't lie down on the bed. He could a night fine but he liked it for during the day.
If you don't have, buy a secure water bottle so you can keep it beside you on your lap rather than trying to stretch to a side table. A small pillow to help cough/sneeze etc but they'll show you how to do this with a towel in hospital.
I joined a surgery UK forum on FB and really researched everything as we cope better knowing as much as possible.
I hope everything goes very well for you. The first couple of weeks are tough but all of a sudden you'll notice big daily improvements. Good luck.

Yeah I'd prepare meals for the freezer, easy to reheat things etc, and get plenty of shopping of essentials in so you dont have to worry about that for a while after, also good ideas about travel mugs and a kindle, good luck!

Ah, I’m a little weepy at such kind suggestions. Thanks everyone. I really appreciate it.

Do you mind me asking what kind of heart surgery you're having? I would say that the single most useful thing you can do is to make sure your haemoglobin level is good prior to surgery. As you have 6 weeks to go then if it isn't then there's plenty of time to improve it. I would see whether you've got a recent result on file and if not ask if it can be checked now. If it's within normal range then great, carry on eating healthily with plenty or iron-rich foods. If it's low then ask your GP about prescription supplements. And, as I'm sure you're already doing, make sure you're taking any medication exactly as prescribed.

@Reallybadidea - I’m having a myectomy. Good advice on iron levels. Thank you.

@MrsPerfect12 - if you don’t mind my asking, how long was your DH reliant on other people/ how long before he could have reasonably lived alone and coped. I’m trying to figure out the post-op choreography.

There's a checklist download towards the end of this page you may find helpful to print/save to have to hand:

www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-valve-problems-and-disease/recovery-and-healthy-living-goals-for-heart-valve-patients/post-surgery-milestones-managing-your-mood-expectations-and-goals

Also have you looked on the General health board? There are threads there you may find useful too.

When my Ddad had heart surgery he found it very uncomfortable to lie down to sleep at night. We bought him a big V shaped pillow and another long sausage like pillow so he could position himself comfortably.

A nice insulated cup so he could slowly sip his tea was a good buy too.

When my friend joined the zipper club, he bought a powered recliner as his surgeon said it be far far easier to sleep on. He's quite a heavy guy, so the act of raising himself with his arms meant an unacceptable transverse load on his thorax. Netflix, loads of iron, plenty of good 5ssty food in recovery. I think the recommended calories post-op are 1cal per kg body weight per square centimetre of incision on top of normal intake.

5ssty? Tasty. Grr.

Ah. The Zipper Club. Such a weird term. Sometimes I can’t believe I’m choosing to do this (of course, it’s not really a choice).

Wishing you a speedy and smooth recovery

@Abracad honestly he could of managed if he had to by himself from coming out of hospital. He did get kept in hospital a bit longer than usual due to Afib after op due to meds, so maybe he was slightly more recovered - he was in for two weeks and it was supposed to be 5 days. I would stay in your own house or where you're most comfortable and someone stay with you for a couple of days then maybe someone pop in and out for you after that. The hospital won't put you out if you can't manage.
Prepping now is key. Your pain will be managed and you'll sleep a lot. Keep visitors to a minimum unless helping for your first week home.
Are you having your sternum opened?

Sternum. Yup.