Update post op

[wmk58]

Hi all Friday will make me 4 weeks post op avr. On the whole doing great, walking 5/6k a day breathing greatly improved. However I have developed a bit of a cough which is causing me extreme pain, almost as if I have broken my ribs. Has anyone else experienced this after Heart surgery and do you think a support would work? Have a nice day all.Regards Wayne

[Hidden]

Dear you

Your sternum is still mending and will take a little longer to do so.

when your out walking { or at anytime } remember the exercise that they showed you, using a tightly wrapped towel on the wound site when you cough , slight pressure.

And keep the coughing and breathing exercises up as your lung are still not fully inflated yet.

Time is time is time, you are doing amazingly , well done, small steps will win this life race.

Take care

[wmk58 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your kindness

[Chappychap]

Presumably this was open heart surgery rather than a TAVI operation? I ask because the TAVI solution is growing so quickly that I believe it now accounts for the majority of valve surgery.

Here's the NHS guidelines for recovery following open heart surgery for heart valve replacement.

nhs.uk/conditions/aortic-va...

As you can see, you're probably pushing things a whisker too hard. Where as I enthusiastically salute your commitment, you can afford to ease up a little as you're already way ahead of where you need to be in terms of post op exercise and rehabilitation.

I recognise the feeling though, following bypass surgery I also became intoxicated with the sense of lost fitness and vigour being recovered, and wanted to push on with more and more exercise.

But the real key during the first eight to twelve weeks is breathing exercises (four or five times each day) and modest walks once or twice each day building up to about one mile. Save anything more than that until after you've completed your six week cardio rehab course which usually begins eight to twelve weeks post discharge from hospital.

Congratulations on your super fast recovery and good luck for the future!

[wmk58 in reply to Chappychap]

Yes open heart surgery opted for the inspiris valve. It's really hard for me as I only found out I had a problem following a 30mile run followed by a full marathon a couple of days later, and then it only presented as a shortness of breath. I have been extremely lucky in the sense that I only waited approx 12 weeks to get my op. 2 days post op and the ward sister told me off for walking around to much. But that's the nature of this particular beast. I have now though come to the reality that this can't be rushed. Thank you for your kind words and advise.

[Wildmeadow]

hi WMk58

I had Avr with inspiris valve 2020. I am 61

Sneezing/coughing were v painful, though yiu mentioned the coughing was new?

Worth being aware of infection potential post op, just saying as I ended up with pericarditis recurring several times before it cleared up. It was very painful - chest and radiating up my neck.

Have they signed you up for the cardiac rehab? I found that v helpful to have some monitoring whilst I found my feet again.

I guess you will be temporarily on something to control heart rate and anti clotting.. these slow your heart rate purposely and better to wrk with them to let them do their job.

Otherwise- congrats on the great progress you are making. Ohs is no small thing.

Very best

[wmk58 in reply to Wildmeadow]

Thank you ever so much for your kind words. Yes I am very mindful of secondary infections. The pain I am feeling when coughing is just below my rib cage. I suspect it's due to over exertion, time to slow down I think. Once again many thanks.

[Cat04]

I'm 12 weeks post AVR by OHS. The furthest I've managed is just over a mile. I reckon you are doing exceptionally well but pain is to tell us that we've done too much. Try and ease up a bit, your sternum is still a broken bone at this stage trying to mend, whilst being moved every time we breath!

[wmk58 in reply to Cat04]

Thanks Cat I suspect you are correct, the thing is the sternum is healing real well. The discomfort I am experiencing is just below my rib cage. When it's a wet cough not too bad, but if it's dry and hard to clear, as you probably know it's very painful. I'm sure I will get there. Thank you for your kind words. Wayne

[Cat04 in reply to wmk58]

Keep supporting your chest with the cushion or rolled up towel. Is it the drain/pacing wire wound scars that hurt? Mine were more painful than the sternotomy wound 😔, but the worst pain was the pneumothorax drain wound site 🤢If no improvement check it out with your gp or ring 111 if unbearable or you suspect a wound infection which may need antibiotics.