Scar pain?

[SRDS]

Dear All

I hope that you are all well. And again thank you for all the advice and good ideas given to me. Honestly, you guys help so much.

My husband did a quadruple bypass about 3.5 weeks ago. He is 42.

Now he is having scar pains? When he tries to raise his arm? I am assuming that this is normal?

With thanks

[Ageingfast]

Dear Srds. After AVR I was advised not to lift my arms above horizontal.

I think this could be important.

I did not get any undue pain at the scar.

I am older, so my recovery is probably slower than your hubby. But I was much better at about 15 weeks. Big op, big convalescence.

Best wishes

[SRDS in reply to Ageingfast]

Thank you fro your reply. Okay yes it may be due to that. I did see him do that while sleeping sometimes. Thank you

[road2ruin]

Hi,

I am nearly three years since OHS ans I still get pain occasionally. Certainly for a while right after surgery, possibly 6 months it would be quite annoying.

[SRDS in reply to road2ruin]

Ah I see. Will just have to handle it

[MountainGoat52]

It's early days and his sternum won't be healed until 13 weeks. I found Bio Oil helpful in ease the tension in the scar tissue. I still massage my chest when showering which helps with the chest muscles as they were put under stress by the operation.

[SRDS in reply to MountainGoat52]

Thank you GWP1952. Will try that

[LilLondon]

Hi I’m a 54 year old woman & had heart bypass in October. My scar is still tender to touch but o use bio oil at least twice a day. I also have lots of lumps & bumps on my chest bones which have been diagnosed as scar tissue & BHF nurse said pain can take upto a year to subside. I was mad to get back to normal but would highly recommend taking baby steps. Love & luck to you both

[SRDS in reply to LilLondon]

Thanks LilLondon 😊 I hope that you feel better soon too.

[Sewing19]

Hi. I had triple bypass in May 2021 and still get occasional pains in scar. I massage the area and use bio oil and it eases. Hope this helps

Take care

[SRDS in reply to Sewing19]

Thank you. Few people mentioned bio oil. Will give it a try. Thanks

[Dj1962]

Hi..I was told not to lift my arms above my head..or lift anything..I'm 2 years post surgery and I still get occasional discomfort ..Tell him not to rush his recovery. 🤔

[SRDS in reply to Dj1962]

I have told him not to rush. I have noticed that he puts his arm up in his sleep. I try to keep an eye. Thank you. 🙂

[MumaLines]

Hey Srds, 3.5 weeks is very very early days.

I think the other lovely bypass Hearties will agree - we were told NOT TO - lift any heavy weights (kettles etc) stretch or lift our arms upwards as the chest bones, muscles and nerves needs to heal.

He needs to slow up to help the healing process. Everyone is different after having a bypass, looking back to 5 years ago when I had my quadruple I still remember how much it hurt, my body hurt and was so uncomfortable and how SCARY it was. You have to listen to your body and adjust, stay weightless and rest with arms down.

The scar areas for me were very sensitive, still are sometimes and things might not be the same going forward as they were. Tell your husband to remember the metal figure of eights he has holding his chest back together. I was told the pain and needle type pricking sensations down the scar was normal. My body is different to how it was, the bones, muscles and nerves.

I still have some numbness due to nerve damage on the left side of my chest but that doesn't matter - I was given a second chance of life, have learned to adjust the way I do things.

At our Cardio Rehab we were told it could take up to a year before we really feel comfortable with our body. The heart is still ticking, he is here with his second chance of life so he needs to help and not push so much however frustrated he may get.