Three weeks since my op

[Jeremypeter]

Hi all, feeling unusually emotional since my operation, one day some good exercise, next day feeling shattered, not sure where I should be on my road to recovery. Any advice on where I should be at three weeks on.

[080311]

Hello and welcome to the forum, firstly let me assure you that being emotional after OHS is normal.

We are given some very exotic drugs when we are on bypass and these take some time to work their way out of our bodies. Plus your brain is wondering what on earth as happened. You say it’s 3 weeks since your surgery that’s very little time , you should be walking every day maybe just round the house if the weather with you is like with me (I live in Scotland so still very cold) when you can get out every time you go out try to walk a little farther I use to count lampposts try and get to the next one on my next walk silly I know but it worked. You should have been given breathing exercises in hospital keep doing them, I called them huffing and puffing! When we are on bypass our lungs collapse so all those little pockets need to be filled out again. When you’re invited to cardio rehab go, it really helps, not just the exercise but being with others who have been where you are gives you a sense of not being alone, and that you have a strange ache and someone says me to!

We all had days after surgery when we seemed to be going backwards, but that soon becomes a thing of the past.

It’s nearly 9 years since my surgery ( Aortic valve replaced and bypass) and every day I am grateful to the medical team that gave me a second chance. You are now on the heart mended road, look forward to the future and enjoy your new life.

Best wishes Pauline

[Jeremypeter in reply to 080311]

Thank you so much for the advice. Much appreciated.

[sohotimes]

Everyone is different and recovery may depend on your age and fitness levels before OH surgery. I was fit and was 90% back after 3 months and 100% 6 months, but I have always swam at least 5 times a week and walked lots. I was not depressed or sad in any way, but I cried a little daily for about 5 months, and one day I realised I hadn't cried for a few days. I am 7 months since operation and just recovering from a minor cold which made me sneeze constantly and now when I sneeze my sternum/chest hurts again which is really annoying, although I'm sure it will be fine in no time.

My advice would be to listen to your own body and take every day as it comes. If you feel tired one day rest and on good days do a little more each time. I must admit reading posts on here made me feel like I wasn't alone, and I find this site very supportive and positive.

All the best.

[Jeremypeter in reply to sohotimes]

Thanks for the advice, it really is appreciated

[andy110519]

Hi, I think after 3 weeks I was starting to feel human again but it was still very obvious if I did too much one day, I felt it the next, I was still having an afternoon nap up to 3 months after surgery, for context I was only 49 and reasonably fit.I did notice improvements every few days and did listen to my body. Nearly 6 years on and I'm fitter than pre surgery and I hadn't known I had heart issues until a week before surgery.

Take care

Andy

[Redfloyd]

I had AVR and CABG last Sept, I cried most days in hospital after the op, I was in hospital for nearly 4 weeks, 10 days waiting and 15 days post op. The drs and nurses said it was good to cry now rather than hold it in as that makes it worse for later on. Week 4 post op I was getting out and walking and by week 5 I was doing a mile with stops for a chat here and there. Unfortunately at 6 weeks I picked up a cold/flu type virus which stayed with me until Xmas, just bad luck but I feel it hampered my recovery. So at 6 months I'm doing ok, the better weather has helped. I thought when I had my op that recovery through the winter would be better, I'm not so sure now because there were lots of cold wet days where I didn't get out, it was easier to stay in by the fire. Wishing you all the best in your recovery

[OK10 in reply to Redfloyd]

Cold and wet weather make my pains worse as well even after 6 months. Weather is improving now so we should be ok, hopefully.

[Larneybuds]

Good morning....recovery from OHS can be a bit of a roller coaster ride. You can have a few good days then you get a not so good day. When you think what you have been through it's small wonder and there are all sorts of emotions going on. Try hard to do exercises or walk on a daily basis...even on the days you don't feel like it. Rest when you feel tired and as others have said...listen to your body and do what you think is best on the day. Don't put pressure on yourself . As your mind and body start healing more you will start to feel better and more positive. Go to the rehab when offered it... it's great for helping you to build up confidence. Recovery is not a walk in the park and you and your body have had a huge shock...major surgery plus the realisation of what's happened to you.......but....you are still here and it won't be too long before you are looking back saying "I did it". All the best ....stay positive 😁 xx

[BeeBee79]

I’m not sure where you should be up to in your recovery as when I had my mitral valve repair in November, I had sepsis and severe pancreatitis so my recovery took a lot longer. I’m 3 months in and a whole lot better but I feel frustrated that I’m not back to where I was already.

The post-op mental effect is awful too and I couldn’t stop crying for weeks. I remember calling the GP and I couldn’t speak as I was crying so much. You will come out of the other side of the mist soon - I just can’t say when. Just go easy on yourself too - don’t push too hard

[fishonabike]

I am sorry to hear that you are struggling a bit with your recovery, but this is not unusual - we are often told that we will be "up and about in no time" and this can lead to unrealistic expectations and disappointment when that does not happen

But sometimes a reality check is helpful : your operation involved your ribs and sternum being sawn open, skin and muscle was sliced through and your heart was also sliced open, repaired and then everything was stitched together again - all this was done under general anaesthetic which involves a cocktail of drugs, some of which which can hang around your body for weeks

A broken bone alone can take weeks to recover and usually needs support to hold it in place during the recovery - broken ribs are particularly painful and can't be supported with a plaster cast because they need to move as you breathe

Your heart has to keep working 24/7 to keep your body supplied with the oxygen and fuel it needs but while it is healing and recovering after surgery it can't work as well as you might want, so you get tired and run out of steam

Give your body a proper chance to recover - take the process gently and build up what you do gradually - stop before you feel tired, save some energy for later - if you feel drained the day after you did something it"s a sign that you did top much, so plan to do less next time and take breaks - then you can build bit by bit on your success

Your body may be trying to tell you that you are trying too hard and it's not ready yet - so be kind to yourself

[Redfloyd in reply to fishonabike]

Very wise words, especially the pacing bit. I'm very guilty of doing too much when I'm feeling good and suffering the day(s) after.

[fishonabike in reply to Redfloyd]

Pacing yourself can be a very helpful strategy during recovery - it helps avoid or cut down the "one step forward, two steps back" cycle which can get very depressing

Small gains and slow but steady progress can be much more motivating - keeping a daily record of what you do can help you keep things steady too and remind you of your progress🙂

[FrankFrank]

If you aren't feeling peculiar at after such a major operation it would be unusual.The cardiac rehab sessions, when you eventually get to them as mentioned above are good just to meet people in same boat.I really found it a mind bending experience and had up and down days for many many months after.I often didn't quite know what was going on and got lost in my own town the first time I went out alone.

Do keep up with any post operative appointment s and ensure your post operative medication is regularly reviewed. I know it might not seem it at present but it does get better.Don't compare yourself too much to others in the same boat despite it being helpful in many ways as you as an individual will be at your own unique pace.

[momander]

Hello Jeremy, I'm sure you will be sick of people telling you this, but you are in the very early days of recovery. I had my double CABG 2 years ago and what you are saying is very normal. I know this operation affects everyone differently, bit I was very emotional for a good few months!! Crying mid sentence!! Dark thoughts and black dreams. It all slowly passes though. I would listen to your body. Eat little and often. Rest, but also do some VERY LIGHT exercise. Don't be tempted to overdo it. Watch your scar, and dont be bending or stretching, twisting or turning, or you could hurt yourself. It takes time for your sternum to heal. After about 10 to 12 weeks you will be invited to join cardio rehab exercises. These were invaluable to me, so I would highly recommend them. In the meantime, rest, keep highdrated, get a wee bit fresh air, even if it's just sitting outside wrapped up. Just take care of yourself and listen to your body. Xx