After surgery

Currently I work as flagger, laying flags tarmac, concrete, block paving etc as well quite a lot of digging for drains etc - anybody doing a similar job after surgery - I am awaiting a new aortic valve and a triple bypass. Regards Flag2

[Ageingfast]

Dear Flag2

There are two types of surgery to replace your aortic valve. Most have open heart surgery, some have TAVi.

With your other heart problems the odds are you will be OHS.

You will need several weeks to get the wound to heal. I am nowhere near your sort of strength, but it took me 10 weeks to get properly moving. Everyone is different, but you must heal and that’s say 6 weeks minimum.

The op is fabulous. Staff are all superb. I am now three years post op and I get no bother at all.

Best wishes

Sooty

[Hidden in reply to Ageingfast]

Thank you appreciate your time to reply - Flag2

[Rhinos67]

Hi

Thats a very physical job. Definitely accept Cardiac rehab sessions if offered. I was pretty fit before surgery but found myself at the bottom of the class in rehab with people 20 years older than me who went to the classes regularly. It took me a good couple of months from starting them to gain any fitness and that was over 6 months after surgery.

You won't be able to even start rehab until your surgeon is happy that your sternum has fused, so I'm pretty sure that would rule out work too.

Ask your medical team and be guided by them though..

If you aren't already a member of UK Aortic and Heart Defects Pre and Post surgery Facebook group then it's definitely worth joining. Everyone is or has been on the same journey and there may be somebody else in the group who has. a similar job to you and can advise.

Good luck

Joanne

😊

[Hidden in reply to Rhinos67]

Cheers Rhinos67 I take a look at the Facebook page.

[El-Tel1990]

I had a quadruple bypass 3 years ago. I do heavy work outs at the gym and walk/golf every chance I get. If you do your cardiac rehab correctly and take your time in recovery I don’t see any reason why you won’t be able to return to your job. It takes a while for your breast bone to heal and build up any muscle wastage due to inactivity whilst in recovery so take your time getting back into shape and you’ll be fine . Having said all this you should always run your progress through the medics. Best of luck !

[Hidden in reply to El-Tel1990]

Thank you El-Tel1990

[Gladiator1951]

That's a tough one. Even after the sternum has fully fused (at least 2-3 months), the muscle tissues will be very tender. You may decide to use this opportunity to develop a new line of work.

Wishing you the best of luck with your new lease on life.

[Hidden in reply to Gladiator1951]

Cheers Gladiator1951

[devonian186]

That's a very physical job and after going back to work you will need to ensure everyone-including yourself-knows your physical limitations.

That might mean having a break for 5 minutes every hour but it will certainly mean not carrying more flags or blocks than you can easily cope with, which will likely be a much smaller number than previously. Your medic will advise when you can get eventually back to 'normal' lifting or digging.

[Hidden in reply to devonian186]

Appreciate your reply-devonian186

[DWizza]

Hi , I had quadruple bypass surgery in July . I was fit and strong prior to having Nstemi heart attack . No damage to my heart . It’s already been mentioned that sternum needs to be sound before heavy lifting and chest wound healed. I would give Mark Campbell a Google and follow on Instagram/Facebook, he is a cardiac specialist specialising in resistance training for cardiac rehab. He’s a great guy and very open to being contacted for advice . He trains nhs staff in rehab techniques, particularly strength/weight training. I’m 7 weeks into a program that he has written for me to get me back lifting and running 5km. The NHS 6 week level 3 rehab program was way too easy and tailored to the individual, I persevered but it was totally underwhelming.

I drank a lot of skimmed milk and made sure I had plenty of lean protein and good olive oil , veggies and carbs to aid my recovery . I was back on my motorbike in under 2 months and doing physical working around my small holding. The more I did the stringer I got , I followed the advice of surgeons and physios . Walking loads , lifting things within capabilities, only lifting in “the tube “ keeping arms close in to the body . for the early days . It’s a huge operation but I found my recovery was amazing. Chest muscles were tender as the nerve endings knitted back . I’m back to 3 training sessions a week , a strenuous yoga class 1-2 times a week plus physical work everyday . I’m sure you’ll be making a similar recovery . I’d be happy to buddy up and share more if it helps you , I post my training and progress updates on Instagram with others , wizza2018 . Wishing you all the best in your new journey , I’m viewing it very positively , an opportunity and rebirth.

[Hidden in reply to DWizza]

Thank DWizza for your very comprehensive reply - will definitely embrace any all rehab opportunities.

[Mota1 in reply to DWizza]

Really useful information. Thank you. Have you a link for Mark Campbell - there are so many with that name.

Thank you

[DWizza in reply to Mota1]

Look up Mark Campbell cardiac rehab on Google and clinical exercise services on Instagram -Fb hopefully this links work

instagram.com/p/C0rSe5psUBS...

[Hidden in reply to DWizza]

Cheers i will give it a coat of looking at.

[FrankWillbe]

Others have commented on the chest/ribs and the need for recovery. I am sure with the work you have been doing the legs are equally important and they will also be operated on. I have found that my leg has taken longer to heal and get back to a good level of fitness, more for sport than work.For me the whole healing process has been near a year. Each of us is unique, just take your time and be kind to yourself.

[Hidden in reply to FrankWillbe]

You make a valid point that we are unique and need to match rehab to our own needs - thank you FrankWillbe

[Mota1 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks

[margiollie59]

Hi, l had my aortic valve replaced in 2019 total unexpected. At 58 l was at my peak physically fit (gym freak) exercise hitt class every morning before worlk, walked miles with dog on weekend,hiked up lakes regularly with hubby. It took me a good 4 months (at least ) to get myself back to some sort of normality , lifting heavy kettle bells and weights was out for 6 months but l managed . You have to be sensible about it listening to your body how it's healing, everyones different . Your Heart nurse & team are the best people to ask/guide you keep you grounded and sane to a certain extent. Because in your mind you feel invincible 💪🦾 and capable , the reality might be different, be patient with yourself. There's a Facebook aortic valve replacement group it can help to talk to others and their experience . I wish you have a swift recovery 🙏

[Hidden in reply to margiollie59]

Thank you for your reply- cheers margiollie59

[Chriscwmpen]

I had OHS to repair a mitral valve 3 years ago. Fully recovered now and do plenty of exercise (but not much heavy lifting). We moved house in the run up to my op and by coincidence one of the removal men had had the same operation. He was lifting boxes, carrying sofas, beds etc on a daily basis. I didn't know what life post surgery would be like but seeing this gave me a real boost. So, as others have said, you definitely need to take medical advice and be careful with rehab but should get back to work OK. Finding something a bit lighter than flagstones might not be a bad idea though 😀

[Chriscwmpen in reply to Chriscwmpen]

PS: Good luck with the op.

[mooan]

I have worked at this job for many years and my advice is concentrate on recovery and look for another job,this is a young man's job.good luck.

[Hidden in reply to mooan]

Well I think you have hit the nail on the head and I have been thinking that's the future direction - regards to you mooan

[maggie80]

Dear Flag,

I had a quadruple bypass and a replacement heart valve. There's no way you'll be back in work within a few weeks. The one thing you can't do is heavy lifting. If you get the chance to go to cardiac rehab, I would go if I were you. They take your bp and keep there eye on you.

[Etzel]

That's a job i've never been able to do! But, my brother-in-law does and he had the OHS where they replace the veins from heart all the way through the leg with what he said are plastic ones(?).

Anyhow, this was a couple of years ago but at 63 he is doing exactly what you do along with garden landscaping, scrap removal, tree lopping, you name it! Not sure what recovery time is but I know yesterday I was told average was 6 weeks for desk job and 12 weeks for lesser physical job, i'm guessing returning to normal for you will be longer still though.

[Hidden in reply to Etzel]

Etzel -Thank you for the info.