How Long For...

[MichaelJH]

I have a GP review early this week and realise I have a number of supplementary questions related to the information I was given on discharge. For instance:-

i) I was advised to use separate flannels and towels for the wounds. These appear to be healing well and half the chest one no longer has any scab just a thin red line. So do I still need the separate flannels and towels?

ii) I am sleeping on my back but am finding it increasingly uncomfortable. How long do I need to keep this up?

Iii) I was told not to lift more than 2.5 lbs with each arm for around six weeks but not by how much to increase this by and over what time frame.

Anyone been advised on these issues?

[Fredders]

Hi Michael, sounds like your recovery is going well. In answer to your questions:

i) I stopped worrying about the flannel/towel issue once my scar had closed completely. First op it took a bit longer as I got a small infection at the bottom of the scar, but second time round it was fine. As long as the scar is not weeping it should be okay.

ii) I slept on my side as soon as I came out of hospital, I can’t sleep on my back anyway as it’s too painful and I fact I was told the opposite and not to sleep on my back. Perhaps it’s different for women because of our anatomy! 😜

iii) they only recommend restricting the weights because it takes six weeks for the sternum to start to fuse and about 12 weeks to completely fuse, so picking up anything heavy, particularly with just one arm can put too much of a strain on it. It’s just a case of being sensible and not overdoing it. If it hurts don’t do t!

Hope that helps.

Wendy

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to Fredders]

Thanks for the reply. I get lower back pain (L4 and L5 prolapsed) and shoulder aches (increased statins?). Will try a few minutes to one side for a change (good as a rest).

[stevejb1810]

Hello Michael.

I agree with everything Fredders has said.

Once the scar is sealed and definitely not weeping, you can get back to your normal towel usage routine. I kept it going for a couple of weeks or so once home from hospital as I had a stubborn little weep from the base of my chest scar.

Sleeping on your back relates a little to the sternum healing bit - they are concerned you'll do some damage as your body compresses across your chest. I started attempting to sleep on my side after a couple of weeks but it was much longer than that before I got back to normal in terms of sleep position.

Lifting is about your sternum knitting back together which should take 4 to 6 weeks. I did not stick to the limits too closely after a couple of weeks when I waslet loose in the kitchen again. I did stick with the 'no swinging a golf club for 3 months' advice though. Listen to your body, it will tell you if you are overdoing things.

Good luck with the recovery.

Steve

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to stevejb1810]

I did a little shop by myself today. The cashier seemed puzzled I used two bags for a pint of milk, a loaf of bread, some strawberries, a piece of haddock and some frozen peas. But it balanced nicely and made me feel a touch more independent. I feel that is really important!

[stevejb1810 in reply to MichaelJH]

My wife calls them 'baby steps' but whatever you call them, feeling like you are heading back to normality, no matter how slowly, is very important for your wellbeing. And I absolutely recognise that bag balancing thing - and I still do it now, 9 months on (its good for your posture!).

[wiltsgirl]

Hi Michael, I agree with the others. As soon as the scars healed I stopped using two towels unless there is sign of infection, which in my case it didn't. I did sleep on my back for a while however if its comfortable I would use your side. Strangely I have only just started to sleep on my right side comfortably, the left always was pretty much pain free! I just went back to normal activities after 6 weeks and if things were painful I wouldn't do it. For example reaching up to get a laundry basket from the top of the tumble dryer that sits on top of the washing machine, or reaching generally. 16 weeks post op I can now do most things without any 'niggles'. The odd bra situation, but you wouldn't experience that! I also had a chest xray at my post op cardiologist appointment and that said the sternum had fully healed, so I thought I could do most things. Still have the odd sharp pain but I understand this is the nerves knitting back together again and it will stop over time. I had seen that full recovery can take up to two years, I guess depending on you individually. Great to see you are progressing, as with all things time is a great healer!