Post op

[Ollie2020]

Hi everyone This is my first week at home after having surgery for a replacement aortic valve and a bypass. I am walking daily and building up the number of steps I take. Today I’m up to 4000, some of which are not on the level. I take a shooting stick so that I am able to sit down at any point should I need to. Apart from a strong heart beat when lying on my back, I feel fairly normal. I don’t appear to have any side effect when taking Bisoprolol. Looking forward to playing my guitar and drums at some point. If you are also a musician I would like to hear how long it was before you started to play again.

[080311]

Hello Ollie 2020

Welcome to the forum, I too had AVR and bypass done mine was 4 years ago at the age of 68. A week after surgery your certainly doing really well.just be careful you don’t push too much.

I don’t play any musical instruments but what I will say is we are told no pulling or pushing movements or arms above our head and not lifting anything heavier than half a kettle of water. So I would imagine playing the drums until your sternum is healed would be out. 8-10 weeks is what I was told. Saw my surgeon 6 weeks after surgery and he said after 18 months my sternum would be stronger than his.

I wish you a great recovery

Best wishes Pauline

[Tullymore]

Hi Ollie, just take it easy but surely. My problem is that I don’t know if the Bisoprolol is giving me side effects or not. I guess the only way to find out is to stop it for a while

[Tessie28 in reply to Tullymore]

Not without reference to your team I hope!

[gilreid1]

Do not stop taking medication without consulting your GP. You are prescribed meds for a reason the may change the type. No one on our forum should advise on such issues

[Nic25]

Hey Ollie. Well done and it sounds like you're making great (and very sensible) progress. Hope it continues the same for you. As for musical instruments, alas I can't help as my drumkit has now been in the attic for many years so it wasn't an issue when I was recovering! But Pauline's advice, as always, is spot on and ditto gilreid's advice on medication. Take care and happy mending. Nic x

[Handel]

I can't think of a better way to help mentally than getting back to music playing!!! I probably agree with Pauline about drums but guitars I would imagine are a different matter. Just don't get lugging an amp about!!

Well done with your recovery though. Sounds like you're doing great! Keep us up to speed with your progress xxxx

[road2ruin]

Well done Ollie, early days yet. I know you are keen to get going, it certainly helps the mental recovery, but make sure you don't push too much and take a step back.

Plenty of fresh air and walking would be enough for now.

Mechanical or biological valve by the way?

I don't suffer any side effects with my medication either, cross fingers, so don't worry if you aren't, it's probably a blessing.

I am over a year since mine now and still have days where I get sternum pain, although not too bad, and usually only when I have been silly.

Keep it up and keep posting here. We all like to hear the good stories of people getting on. Especially now...

[Ollie2020 in reply to road2ruin]

Hi road2ruin

Had a Biological valve fitted and thanks for all your response all good advice

[Tessie28]

Good news Ollie. Just don't rush things. There will be good days, great days and rough as hell days. Enjoy your music when you are able.