Tips, please - things to buy for discharge after open heart surgery

[Amikatari]

Hi, I’m looking for tips, please. Which items have you found useful when going home after open heart surgery? I’m getting some hospital-grade antiseptic wipes, I’ve heard V-shaped pillows are good, I’m not sure what else to get! Thanks

[Deanosbeano]

My list would be

Musts

V shape pillow

Tonic water

Hot water bottle

Jogging or similar comfy easy on and off pants *3

E45 cream for the legs or anywhere they harvested a vien and later on for the scar.

4 or 5 cases of 500ml water £1.99a case at Lidl.

Vitamin C tablets ,cheweable or dissolvable 1000mg to start and down to 200mg after 12 weeks

Paracetamol start buying now you only allowed 2 packs per day in same shop.

Luxury nice to have

Samsung tablet

Amazon firestick loaded prime because terrestrial TV was painful.

[marypw]

Blood pressure monitor, pulse oximeter and a thermometer - all provide reassurance!

[Shar28]

Hi, my husband found a shower stool really helpful. It meant he could sit down and take his time.

All the best.

[Nic25]

All the answers are good Amikatari. I'd add a rolled up small towel tied up with string (although the v shaped pillow can do this too). You'll want something to hold against your chest if you cough, sneeze or laugh until the sternum starts to heal. I also found a horseshoe pillow was good as extra support on the sofa for when you want to get up (and this is something you can practise now ie getting up and sitting down without using your arms). Clothes that open frontwards rather than over the head. And just lots of tlc and time! You may well find your neck and shoulders are stiff as they get manipulated during surgery so do try to do any of the stretching exercise the hospital advises, as they did help in my experience. Hope that helps xxx

[Chappychap]

Here is the leaflet that Guy's Hospital gives patients when they are discharged after heart surgery,

guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/reso...

This seems to have been used as the basis for the discharge booklets given out by other hospitals, here for example is the version used by Newcastle Hospital, which is similar.

newcastle-hospitals.org.uk/...

These are worth printing off and taking with you.

I was lucky after my bypass to get some advice from a very wise and experienced cardiac nurse. She said the three most important things following heart surgery are firstly, always take pain killers whenever they're offered to you, if you're in pain in the week following surgery you won't make enough progress with physical recuperation like walking or breathing exercises. Secondly, take your laxatives, you'll start to feel human again after a bowel movement and you won't be discharged until you've had one, so don't try starving yourself and suppressing it just because you're embarrassed. Thirdly, and in some ways most important of all, religiously follow the breathing exercises that you'll be given. Your lungs take a real battering during open heart surgery, with many pockets of micro lung collapse. To reflate your lungs will require several weeks (sometimes months) of determined breathing exercise followed by brisk walking building up to 30 minutes a day six weeks after discharge. But start with the breathing exercises. They may well be uncomfortable, but push through. Your overall sense of wellbeing, and your view on how much progress you're making, is largely driven by how fast your lungs recover. So it's definitely worth putting the effort in!

Good luck with your operation and do post again to let us know how you got on!

[PalSal73 in reply to Chappychap]

Yes to this! I wasn’t given much guidance at all and think it’s had a bit of a negative effect on me, wish I found this site sooner - ChappyChap is absolutely right, breathing exercises are really, really important!

[jelliebean9]

Hi Amikatari

I am going in for surgery on Friday and I was asked to bring in a support boneless bra that fasten at the front . I did buy one from M&S

And got another from a site recommended to me on here called Chums clothing. Not sure if some hospitals provide them .

I also saw a tip on an adjustable bed backrest which I got from Argos.

My new wardrobe for a while at least will be button through shirts and leggings . Wishing you all the best

SJ

[PalSal73]

I’ve found a body pillow a real help. I tried the v shaped one and I couldn’t get comfy.

Bath mats and soft body cloths for use when having showers.

Lap table (like a tray with a bean bag underneath so you can rest things on your lap comfortably!) - really helpful for me, keeps my laptop at a comfy level!

Bio oil for any scars. Once ok to use, check with the GP or nurses

Keeping a diary of how you are improving. Not war and peace just a note each day of what you’ve done so you can see your improvement over time. And helps me with keeping appointments!!!

[Ianc2]

Big bell and a megaphone. keeps everyone on their toes.

[JJL15]

Hi, I recommend Johnson’s baby wash, milder soap for your incision. Def a V shape pillow. Zip up hoodies as I couldn’t put anything overhead for a few weeks . Netflix for sure! Keep u occupied 😊 keep the pain relief going for as long as you need too, don’t be a martyr! You will be absolutely fine though 👍🏻

[Amikatari]

Thank you so much, everyone, for your kind and extremely helpful replies. I really didn’t expect to get so many! I know so much more about how to prepare now, thanks to you all.

I’m sorry I don’t have the energy right now to reply to you all individually, but i’m so grateful to you all for your time and effort x

[Glasgowgirl1947]

I bought a couple of front fastening bras both with good backs and shoulder straps, one with a zip the other with hook fasteners I got a size larger than normal from Damart they cost £22 they are so comfortable. A V shape pillow is hood. One tip I got from a friend was to have a couple of pillows in the car for the journey home I was very glad of the pillow under my seatbelt on the journey home which took an hour. I didn't need to sit on the other one though. Good luck with your operation x

[Hidden in reply to Glasgowgirl1947]

Glasgow girl going in to jubilee shortly how did you find the process off admission and after op any tips please

Len 123