Open heart surgery recovery tips

[StrongCoffeeWithMilk]

Hi all

My dad had open heart surgery on Monday (to repair a leaky valve). He seems to be doing well, thankfully, and may be discharged as soon as Friday or Saturday. I was wondering if anyone had tips or recommendations for recovery? I've seen people mention wedge pillows being helpful, but if anyone has specific links that would be great.

Thanks!

Can he sleep downstairs? That is if he wants to and a decent bedroom can be made up. Access to the toilet is just as important.

He'll likely feel cold after a hot hospital so layered bed covers, but none heavy.

He'll be encouraged to walk, indeed they probably won't let him out unless he's shown he can walk a satisfactory distance in the ward, so keep that up.

I've done all this when my late DH had heart surgery.

All the best OP.

Thanks, yeah he could potentially, although I think the bed upstairs would be more comfortable. Something to ask the Dr about before he leaves...

You have to go with what is best for your dad's comfort, of course. I suggested a downstairs bedroom because I'm in Australia where, now I think of it, I've never been in a house that doesn't have a downstairs bedroom.

I know what you mean about the list of questions

Hi, I had OH surgery in September, the recovery is a lot longer than you anticipate. Obvs still early days for him but he must try and cough up any fluid on his lungs, hold a rolled up towel to the chest as a support. Sleep propped up for as long as needed - I did for at least 9.10 weeks. Lots of rest and take all the drugs on offer. Sneezing and coughing is painful, so don't let anyone near him with any germs.
He may have drains in, they should come out around 5 days after op,
I was discharged after 8 days
Must not lift anything heavier than a kettle for 3 months
May need help propping himself up in bed, the whole top of your body is very painful, so even bearing your own weight when trying to sit up is hard.
However once out he should try and do a bit of walking every day to build up stamina again.
The scar will be very tender for longer, mine is still very sensitive to touch/certain clothes/bra wires (prob not an issue for him )
Sorry it's a bit garbled, hope he recovers well.

Thanks both! And sorry to hear that you/your loved one have both been through it too!

@Thunderpunt how difficult did you find basic cooking/cleaning? My dad is usually my mum's main carer (she can wash herself and get around but he does the cooking, cleaning etc). My brother will be staying with them for about 10 after my dad gets out but after that I'm wondering if I should book a cleaner? Also wondering about getting them a new freezer for ready meals (they currently just have one of those tiny freezer compartments that doesn't hold anything 🙃)

My Dad had open heart surgery last year. He was otherwise fit and healthy (mid 60s). My advice would be to remind your Dad that he will continue to see improvements over the next 12 months and to expect his recovery to stagnate or even dip occasionally.

My Dad had some complications which at times made him feel quite pessimistic that he'd make a full recovery. However, less than 8 months after surgery he remarked that he felt like he was in his 50s again. By the 12 month mark he was back to doing strenuous physical activities (chopping/stacking wood, moving heavy furniture, hiking etc). It really helped that he knew to expect dips in his recovery.

Is your brother staying for 10 days or 10 weeks? If 10 weeks I'd probably watch and wait and engage help nearer the time. 10 days definitely would not be enough time.

10 days unfortunately. We'll get a cleaner then, and a freezer.

And that's great to hear about your dad getting back to strenuous physical activity! My dad is in his 70s but still cycles and I really hope he can get back to it!

My dad had open heart surgery about 7 years ago now.

The main thing I'd say is definitely keep up with the walking. My mum had him on a strict regime, starting just around the garden, then down the road. But he did little and often.

He's now back playing golf, and walking daily at a fair old pace! I wish your dad a good recovery x

My DD had valve surgery 11 weeks ago, obviously a lot younger than your dad (early 20s) but she was told no housework for min of 6 wks, as the sternum is healing.

She couldn’t open the oven or freezer doors in that time, they were too ‘heavy/tight’ for her, or take things out of bottom shelves of fridge.

She needed help to shower and dress (couldn't bend over to pull pants/trousers on initially), they aren’t supposed to stretch too much, upwards, or downwards.

I agree that 10days is too short for help. Luckily DD still lives at home, so had me, DH and DS on hand at all times, and she needed that help.

Feel free to DM with any questions if you wish.

at 11 wks post Op, she is now able to do most household things she could do beforehand and has just started some gym work through Cardiac rehab team, but still gets tired when she has exerted herself.

DD slept in her own bed, but struggled (as others have said) to turn herself over or push herself out of bed, the upper body is very painful initially.

It’s the little things that you don’t realise, that once settled she couldn’t turn to switch her bedside lamp off. She couldn’t open her curtains or blinds.

I would also echo @Thunderpunt , that the recovery is longer than expected. Due to her age and fitness, all the Drs said she would recover very fast, and whilst she has done well, the first couple of months were slow and painful for her.

Thanks all. I'm not really sure what to do re the 10 days being too short... I have a 3yo to look after (bringing her with me would be too much of a liability I think!) and no other family to help 😕 they'll have carers in to help with washing etc, but no one there full time

Did he get any advice before the Op, about the recovery and do’s and don’ts.

DD had a pre Op video call last autumn, with a specialist nurse, and was told then about no household tasks for 6+wks, and like pp mentioned, not lifting a full kettle for at least 2 months.

A friend’s DH had emergency heart surgery last year, and she told of him needing help getting in and out of bed, to bathroom etc. I thought my DD wouldn’t be that bad, but she was.

I guess if help isn’t there, they will manage, as you say, with ready meals and such. But make sure he can access his fridge and freezer easily. We have a chest freezer, and small undercounter one, even the latter was hard for DD to open initially.

Oh, and my friend told us to take at least one pillow with us for the journey home, to go between seatbelt and DD chest.

DD used them on car journeys for probably a month or so.

I'm sure your Dad will return to cycling, it's a tough op but should be well worth it.

I think he manage with carers twice a day and a cleaner to look after the housework. Is your Mum able to let people into the house? I'd recommend installing a key safe if not. And will she be able to get pre-prepared foods in and out of the oven or microwave? Would the hospital provide an occupational health assessment to help identify potential sticking points like getting out of bed? They should be able to loan you any equipment he will need.