taking care of relative after mitral valve replacement

[brit1]

A relative staying with me has to have mitral valve replacement and is currently in hospital waiting for surgery. Just curious what will be required of me to take care of him after surgery. Apparently he will have surgery and then go to ICU for a few days and then come back to my home. I am in my 80's so wondering how much care he will need? Wondering if I should ask them to send him to rehab for awhile?

[Sepsur]

I would talk to your relative’s medical team and voice your concerns - ending up in ICU as part of elected surgery is very different to how many of us ended up in ICU - my requirements were extensive but we are not really comparing like for like.

Having said that, if your concern at this time is such and your gut feeling is that some form of rehab would be more appropriate- probably push for that.

[FamilyHistorian]

when I had my planned aortic valve replacement, 15 years ago, I expected to be in ICU for 24 hours and then a cardiac ward for 10 days. That was the plan and that is what happened. These days there is more emphasis on going home sooner. However my wound had to heal and I wasn’t allowed to drive for roughly 6 weeks. So as Sepsur said ask.

My visit 5 years ago was unplanned and with many complications. Totally different experience.