Info before sternotomy

[Lulet99]

Hi All

I'm really interested in what information you were given prior to a sternotomy - specifically about excercise/movement you can/cannot do after the operation?

were you given advice/leaflets/excercises/videao/things to avoid??

[Chappychap]

When you're discharged following open heart surgery (which involves a sternotomy) you'll be given a leaflet on how to look after yourself. Most health trusts use pretty much the same format, here are a couple of examples,

ouh.nhs.uk/patient-guide/le...

lhch.nhs.uk/media/1099/card...

Following discharge the hospital should invite you attend a cardio rehab course, these can be absolutely transformational, so if you get the chance you should attend! Over half of patients don't bother or don't complete the course.

One of the key points about recovering from a sternotomy is to reflate your lungs. As soon as the chest cavity is pierced the lungs collapse. Reflating all the pockets of micro-collapse is a long job taking weeks or even months. But how well this is achieved is the number one thing that determines how your recovery is progressing. You build back your lungs with breathing/coughing exercises (five or more times each day) and a daily walk, building up to a mile or more.

I'll be honest, these exercises are often the last thing you'll feel like, but they are pivotal in your recovery,so dig deep and get them done!

Here is more information on the all important breathing exercises.

kentcht.nhs.uk/cardiac-reha...

acprc.org.uk/Data/Publicati...

Good luck!

[Avdi in reply to Chappychap]

Great response and advice Chappy. The Cardiac Rehab was pivotal in my double CABG recovery, I would highly recommend attending and completing all sessions.

[fatbarry in reply to Avdi]

I was rejected from cardiac rehab because I'd had a myxoma removed. I was told that I wasn't eligible because since my arteries weren't blocked my lifestyle was obviously good!! Furious, gutted, didn't get close to how I felt!! Spent most of the phone call in tears and then was asked if I needed talking therapy!! NO!! I just need some guidance on how to safely get active again!!! Even worse, when I rang the surgical centre (different authority) I was told the same thing, and that it would probably be the same everywhere because resource is scarce!

[Avdi in reply to fatbarry]

Hi

That’s such a shame as Cardiac Rehab is about confidence building as much as physical recovery. Did they suggest alternatives of regaining your fitness? I don’t mind rejections if they come with alternatives

[Hidden]

my husband was expecting to have sternotomy surgery for mitral valve surgery, he was told no driving for 6-12 weeks depending on recovery, don’t use arms to push out of chair , don’t use handrails to go upstairs, no hoovering, no lifting arms above head - basically movement that would pull on stitches and healing of chest - he ended up having surgery via portal access which was great as it doesn’t involve breaking bones and leaves a tiny of tiniest scar