Sternum tightness

[Swanbob]

7 weeks post bypass recovery appears to be on track however still have uncomfortable amount of tightness in my chest anybody out there know when this eases/ goes ?

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Hi and welcome! You are only a week behind me. Have you done any breathing exercises which do help. Inhale through your nose to the count of five, hold for six and exhale through your mouth for seven. Do it ten times three times a day - it will help.

[Swanbob in reply to MichaelJH]

Thanks Michael breathing exercises helping a lot

[stevejb1810]

It takes time for the chest to really settle down again after being cut open. Breathing exercise (as MichaelJH has indicated) will definitely help. Light weights and small numbers of reps (weight bar and the like) also help. Don't rush it though. I'm 10 months post op and for the most part I'd say I was back to normal - I play golf quite a lot - but just occasionally i get little twinges and tightness around the scar area.

[Twobells]

It does take quite a while mine took a good 6 months, its the nerve endings that causes the stinging, the only thing I use is bio oil and massage. There are other oils on the market. The tightness does ease and unfortunately there is no quick fix.

Hope this advice helps

[Swanbob in reply to Twobells]

Thankyou using bio oil now plus 2/3 weeks more healing sternum is feeling less uncomfortable

[wiltsgirl]

Hi Swanbob, I am 5 months post bypass op and find that I get sudden shooting pains sometimes, generally when I do too much stretching (reaching up for something). The soreness does get better and as twobells has said massage with bio oil or such will help, I find my sternum is sore when I massage it. Have you been offered rehab yet? That will help too as you are encouraged to exercise using weights. Best of luck xx

[Swanbob in reply to wiltsgirl]

Rehab soon so looking forward to a realistic indication of my fitness level looking forward to being more active Thanks for advice it helps a lot