Just wondering if anyone has a similar issue with their legs. I am 4 and a bit months past surgery of CABG x4 and I still don’t have much feeling around the incisions in my lower legs. The scars are healing fine, but the pressure from swelling in the ankles makes it feel like I am wearing ski boots, therefore having restricted flexibility in the ankles.
Enjoy the Easter weekend!
Yes, I had something similar, and from other comments on this forum I think it's fairly common.
Don't worry, give it more time and gradually it'll subside.
I suspect part of the problem is that the general advice is that 6-8 weeks following bypass surgery you should be fit to return to work. That's true enough, but many people interpret this advice as that after 6-8 weeks they'll be fully recovered. That's unfortunately not the case, and it takes many people a full 12 months (and in some cases even longer) before they're back to normal.
There are things however that you can do to help yourself, the daily walks following open heart surgery are absolutely critical. Every day, and each day pushing yourself a little bit further. This kind of basic mobility exercise goes a long way to helping the leg scar heal.
It's a shame that face to face Cardio Rehab is no longer being held, because that gave a lot more advice on recovery exercises. The BHF (who run this forum) offer on-line Cardio Rehab training, it would be well worth checking that out.
Good luck!
Thanks for the reply, Chappychap. I religiously do my walks every day and if I don’t go on a longer walk I will do 2 short walks. I have progressed to the level 5 of the rehab exercise videos and am able to keep up well. I find that my heart is coping well with all this exercise, but the rest of my body is letting me down. Shoulders, ribs and legs...... I guess more patience is needed. 🤪
Don't worry, time plus exercise is the solution.
I don't think it's widely appreciated what a brutal piece of surgery open heart surgery really is. I get the point that the surgeons don't want to alarm people, but if patients understood the reality of the procedure then they'd likely be more forgiving of their own convalescence.
There was a TV documentary recently that showed open heart surgery, the chest muscles and the breast bone are severed, then the ribs are forced apart. Ribs are designed to pivot to accommodate breathing, but this goes far beyond that. And as soon as the chest cavity is breached the lungs collapse. Your blood is kept oxygenated by a machine, so the lungs remain collapsed throughout the procedure.
All that trauma takes a long, long time to mend. So oodles of patience, plus a steady programme of exercise to fully reflate the lungs, is what's needed.
Stick with what you're doing and you'll be fine!
Thank you for the encouraging words.About 40 years ago, my mother underwent the exact same surgery. I hoped that the procedure had changed over the years, but no such luck. The only difference was that she stayed in hospital for 3 months and received intense physio therapy throughout, while nowadays you’re kicked out after 7 days, without much information what to expect. I am glad this website exists and am able to exchange experiences and ask questions.
Thank you again and everyone who uses this website. 😊
Happy Easter weekend.
Anyone else feel voiceless in appointments? 
anyone else feel like they are struggling in the hot weather
Leg pain, burning sensations and cramps - at night
Burning pain in top of leg
