5 days to go before I have both heart valves repaired. Keeping busy so I am not thinking about the operation,I had hoped I could have keyhole surgery but found out on Tuesday when I had a telephone appointment I could not. I am in food planning mode,today I have made 9 meals for the freezer and another 5 tomorrow.
Question for anyone out there who has had open heart surgery- do I have to wear tops with buttons meaning not anything you have to put over your head. Thanks.
Hello Carluke,
Yes button up tops, definitely no arms above your head, remember it’s no arms above your head no lifting anything heavier than half a kettle of water no pushing or pulling movements. You have to let your sternum heal 8-10 weeks. My surgery was over 4 years ago, and I am grateful every day to the medical team that gave me my life back. Follow the instructions you are given, do the breathing exercises you will be given after you get home they really do help, remember your lungs will collapse when on bypass and all the little pockets need to be filled out again.
Wishing you a very good recovery, you will soon be on the heart mended road.
Best wishes Pauline
Thanks Pauline. If you don’t mind me asking,are you as well as you were before your troubles.
Yes more or less, get tired but now in my middle 70s and 5 weeks after my surgery my husband had a massive stroke and I became his full time carer, so with my now mended heart life goes on. And my new valve is good 😉 from the moment I opened my eyes in ICU felt so much better even still attached to bit and pieces 😂
Thanks for the reply.
What sounds like a little thing, what to wear post op, but it is so important. A loose, buttoning top, and some sort of wrap if it's at all chilly. Things you can get in and out of easily, and slip-on shoes seem a good idea. Well done for the meal-planning.
Wishing you all the best.
Thanks for the advice
Hey Carluke. First off, very best of luck! The waiting, dread and terror really is almost the worst bit. I was in a complete fog of terror as the day approached but found once I was in the hospital, in 'the process' and how normal and everyday it was for everyone - and so professional - that then things were fine. I only had one valve replaced (aortic, Dec 2018, age 50) but was in and out in a week and back home, sore and exhausted, but much more mobile and able than I had feared I would be. So I hope that helps.
To your question, short answer is yes. But also tops with zips can work? Basically, for me, it was button or zip shirts and cardigans and then nice and loose tracksuit bottoms. Don't forget also, of course, pyjamas with buttons (harder to find these days than you might think).
You're right in that you won't (or even if you can, shouldn't) be able to be pulling stuff over your head initially. However I did find it wasn't long before that begun to change (it is a bit hazy now, but maybe a couple of weeks, though everyone of course heals differently anyway).
So I hope that helps? Also, sure people will have mentioned this already but, if not, I found practising standing up from sitting without using my arms to be a useful exercise pre-op that came in handy after, as you won't be able to push up. I also found it helpful to have a small rolled-up towel tied at the ends that you can carry around to hold against your chest if you cough, sneeze or laugh. Or a small cushion will also do much the same job.
But really it's just rest and more rest (I always say it's called 'patient' for a reason), taking the painkillers when you need them, and gradually - but it's not a race - beginning to build your strength back up.
As I say best of luck, sure you'll be in excellent hands and out the other end and on the road to recovery (and feeling loads better) in no time. Take care.
Cheers Nic x
I don’t have any advice for you but I wish you the best of luck !! Although meal planning is a good way to go , almost everything can be frozen as well . Try some batch cooking of curry’s chilli etc and tub them all up with rices and veg , much love and hugs .
Thanks
Great to prepare yourself like that by keeping so practically busy with planning for when you are back home. Yes tops that can push up easily, but not pull over your head, or with buttons the best option. Good luck and as with everyone please let us know how you get on. I find myself automatically thinking about people on this site every morning, especially those of us who may have special dates/appointments coming up
I did manage to get loose T shirts on within a few days of my op, nurses showed me once out of ICU but definitely no arms above head. Had some old fashioned button front pyjamas while in ICU! I had aortic valve and aorta replacement 8 months ago age 56 and feel absolutely fine. Make use of cardiac physio and get out walking as soon as you can. First 4 weeks were hard work but improved massively and was driving by 5 weeks
I’m going for aortic replacement soon, my asthma is delaying things, but it is next month. I was advised about open top and can see what people mean. I am doing things that I can control...it sounds a bit nuts but I bought a new wash bag and slippers. I treated myself to headphones so I can watch netflix. Having said all that I too feel 1000% confident with the service in Oxford. I just keep having weird and vivid dreams....good luck...you have got to this on your own, but you are not alone.
Didn’t need wash bag but needed slippers.good luck to you.
I am right there with you - I also found out last week that minimally invasive not possible so I know how you feel but we must have every confidence the surgeon makes these decisions to assure us of the best outcome - Good Luck and we will all be thinking of you PS as soon as I get a date batch cooking here I come !!!
Thanks. Doing a batch of shepherds pie today. Good luck to you.
Off topic Ian but how did you get on with Bisoprolol - Surgeon has prescribed it to go with Ramipril while I wait for surgery - mixed reviews on here but I see you do a lot of walking as do I so wondered if that helped
Hi. Been on Bisoprolol for about 8 years. It was to stop the palpitations,I have had no problems with it. The palpitations have come back in the last few months but not as bad.
Yes it's easier. I had two valves, two bypasses and an ablation in December . It takes a long time to recover but slowly does it. Good luck
So incredibly comforting to know you are a out there. Family in panic, which is not helpful...thank you.
Waiting for followup 
Back in the game!!
Waiting for cardiologist 
Waiting for open Heart surgery.
Waiting forever for Heart MRI
