Sternotomy recovery

[Jay777]

In these virtual times, can anyone advise how healing of breast bone is checked (if it is)? I’m 6 weeks post op and wonder when I can start doing things such as sleeping on my side or lift both arms over my head?

PS: Happy to take recommendations that housework should be delegated for a longer period 🤣

[gilreid1]

I never had bone checked other than the surgeon checked wound and had a chat eight weeks after surgery.

For the sake of MAN kind you should avoid any housework fir the foreseeable future or as long as you can get away with it 😂😂

[080311]

Hi, the sternum like any broken bone takes between 8-10 weeks to heal, when I had my post op check with the surgeon he showed me the X-ray they had just done and one before my op. I asked about the strength of my sternum with the wires and he said 18 months after the op my sternum would be stronger than his, as new bone grows over the wires! So another 2-4 weeks and you should be ok. Sleeping on your side when it feels comfortable. Housework leave as long as you can 😂

[Hidden]

My op was earlier this year so recovery was over lockdown. I had a chest XRAY about 4 months post op and an out-patient appointment with the cardiogist at 7 months post op. I suspect that unless you report any issues with your chest then they just leave you to it.

I found sleeping on my side took a long time, especially on the left side which I still have issues with at 7 months post op. Things like heavier housework or gardening were OK at 12 weeks post op for me, could have probably been OK earlier but I left it 12 weeks.

[Tessie28]

Hello from me. Hope you are doing well. I managed to hang the housework thing out for months. But slept on my side since I came home from hospital.... bit noisy at first on my left side. Arms above head are fine now. No heavy lifting yet for sure.

And remember to be wary of any clicking sounds and report them to team. Never had any checks except echo and holter tests since.

Sadly the old chap knows I'm fit enough now... I played on it for a while. Hey ho, time to do my virtual rehab,

take care Teresa

[Jay777]

Thank you all for your feedback, I’ll tell my other half I have “consulted widely” and best to defer housework for a few months more 🤫

[Tessie28 in reply to Jay777]

Excellent plan!