Post op timescale for carer

[LadyPumpkinseed]

Hello Hearties, My partner will be looking after me after my OHS, he works full time and has negotiated working from home. I understand we’re all different but if the op goes well, how much care will I need week by week - what is the rough timescale? I’m a fit, healthy 61 year old and he’s concerned doing his job and caring for me will be too much so he’s thinking of using his remaining 2 weeks holiday to help me, having used the rest up caring for his mum. Also he’s very anxious and I’d like to be able to reassure him that other than not lifting things I’ll be pottering about, doing my exercises not just lying in bed! Final thought: I’m tall - how difficult is getting up and down off the loo! Any tips welcome.

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

I was in hospital for 8 days and only had sometime with me full time for a week afterwards. After that my then partner resumed normal working but checked up on me a few times a day.

As regards the toilet you need a toilet seat riser particularly if it is a low level suite.

[LadyPumpkinseed in reply to MichaelJH]

Thanks so much for replying Michael. I’ll get a riser.

[LadyPumpkinseed in reply to MichaelJH]

Btw I found a wonderful dentist re my last query! Teeth and gums in good health despite not going for many years. I wanted to go back and get teeth cleaned but now have TOE booked for next week and waiting on surgeon to approve treatment pre TOE. Not sure if thorough clean pre procedure increases risk of endocarditis.

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to LadyPumpkinseed]

Quite a while ago I posted about the anti-inflammatory properties of statins improving gum health although I cannot recall if you are on them.

The risk of heart infections are higher with valvular patients than bypass ones. Take your surgeon's advice on a deep clean.

[080311]

Morning,

I had Aortic valve replaced and bypass and had to have a deep clean, before my surgery. Was told there are more germs in the mouth than on the rest of the body put together!

I found just needed help with getting the glamorous white stockings on that was just first thing in a morning. The first walks outside having my husband next to me was great I was a bit nervous to start with. Apart from that I was able to potter around myself. As Michael said I too was in hospital for 8 days, so by the time I got home was getting stronger. Just make sure everything you need on a daily basis isn’t up high so you don’t have to stretch. Remember no arms above your head.

Best wishes for a great recovery.

Pauline

[LadyPumpkinseed in reply to 080311]

Thank you Pauline, may I ask how many weeks before surgery you had deep clean at Dentist’s?

[080311 in reply to LadyPumpkinseed]

About 10 days.

[LadyPumpkinseed in reply to 080311]

Thank you, best wishes.

[080311 in reply to LadyPumpkinseed]

You are very welcome, having the deep clean wasn’t the nicest thing but needed to be done. I am now a bit paranoid about seeing the hygienist regularly. (Have a tissue valve)

[LadyPumpkinseed in reply to 080311]

Does your hygienist use ultrasonic scaling? I was fearful at the thought of the hand scaler but they can remove so much calcification with sound waves now!

[080311]

The deep clean was nearly 5 years ago. And no ultrasonic scaling. They need to go under the gum line, would ultrasonic do that? my hygienist at my dentist good old fashioned hook 😂 but because it’s been done regularly it’s not a problem.

[LadyPumpkinseed in reply to 080311]

I see, mine would be just plaque/ tartar. Not surprised you’ve gone off the hygienist! Thanks Pauline.

[Isobel1]

I agree with what others have said. You might be able to arrange through the hospital social services department for a local carer to come in 3 times a day to help you with personal care etc . It's free You'll need help putting your shoes on & perhaps getting out of a chair or bed .

You shouldn't need anyone keeping an eye on you 24/7 for more than a week .

The hospital will also arrange for any equipment you need to be delivered .

Definitely ask for a raised loo seat .

Good luck x

[LadyPumpkinseed in reply to Isobel1]

Thanks Isobel1

[Isobel1 in reply to LadyPumpkinseed]

I meant to say, you don't need to have the free carer in x3 a day, they can just come in once to help you have a shower , put your shoes & socks on, or whatever you want.Make sure all the things you use regularly are at waist level, so when your husband goes back to work, you won't suddenly find you can't stretch upwards to reach things.

I was told to be careful with my sternum for the 1st 6-8 weeks .

It can help if you've got an easy chair with arms , and putting an extra cushion on it to sit on helps as well, so you don't put too much strain on your arms, pushing to stand up.

I'm sure you'll be fine, especially if you're already fit x

[Shar28]

Hello. I looked after my husband when he came home after his OHS for a new Aortic Valve. He came home after just 6 days, sooner than they ideally wanted to keep him in for as he’d had complications (which were sorted) and was very weak but he wasn’t doing at all well with anxiety and was better off at home. I took one week off Carer’s Leave, one week Annual Leave and then had a third week off unpaid, which was for me really.

Everyone’s different, so perhaps if your husband could book one week off and arrange to have the second week (or part of it) at short notice, if needed. Then you’d both have peace of mind.

Best wishes to you both.

[LadyPumpkinseed in reply to Shar28]

Thanks Shar28

[funnyfennel]

I had my sister come for x4 days and then a friend for the next 4. They cooked and cleaned and took me for a little stroll, and to the Warfarin appointments which started the day after coming home. I found it most useful to have an old fashioned commode downstairs for the first few days as stairs were quite a challenge. so tried only to come down after ablutions in the morning ,poss up for a nap and then bedtime. After a week the stairs were less trouble. We are all different, but I was very weak at first.

[LadyPumpkinseed in reply to funnyfennel]

Our flat has 35 stairs… that’ll be challenging

[funnyfennel in reply to LadyPumpkinseed]

Might take a while to ascend!! Dont worry but consider my idea, especiall if on a diurectic, I needed to wee a lot!! You will practise before leaving the hospital, with the physios on the stairs, then will get the idea of your abilities...I was very resistant to the practise!