Information

[Lulet99]

Anyone who has had a sternotomy;

Were you give any information/advice about recovery before you actually had your op?

How many days did you have to stay in hospital after your op?

[Anon2023]

hi. I was given some information by my surgeon before the op but nothing from anybody else. I was in hospital about 10 days afterwards and it took a few months before I could sleep on my side. I didn’t lift anything heavy for about 4 months but I also started cardiac rehab around that time too. I’ve had two sternotomies and I’m happy to answer any questions you might have, as will other forum members I’m sure.

[MarmiteB]

hey! I was 34 when I had my op last year. I wasn’t given any specific advice about the fact I was having a sternotomy, rather recovery advice from having had a big operation.

What I wasn’t told was that when I came round and my bandages were taken off a few days later is how swollen my chest/boobs would be! I had a swollen lump at the top of my scar and I thought something had been moved around during the op - but no, just swelling, it’s all gone now.

I’m 18 months on and my scar is very nicely healed and I have little boney bumps underneath it were they fixed me back together again. You can’t see them, only feel them. I get a very occasional twinge but I think that I would have had little niggles before in that area and not even noticed, it’s just now I’m more conscious of that area.

If you have any questions please just message me and we can have a chat xx

[Adhtz21]

Hi Lulet99, yes this was covered quite comprehensively in the pre-op session. I was in Hospital for 5 days in total. My pre-op was literally the week before my surgery. Regards, Andy

[Thanksnhs]

Hi the main thing I was told was to keep checking for any sign of infection and to phone the hospital immediately if there was any redness with inflammation and to keep it clean. I could sleep fine on my side the nurses helped me at first and I was fine with it by the time I got home. It is nearly three years now and it has heeled well a bit lumpy but I am very thin I think that's the reason for that. I hope the op goes well and if there is anything else you would like to know please feel free to message. Take care char

[Cat04]

I was in hosp for one week. The Physiotherapist gave me information & leaflets prior to and after my sternotomy.