working out for surgery

[doberman]

I am scheduled to go in for a mitral vlave repair sometime in September, in the mean time I am attempting to get in reasonable condition. I am mostly asymptomatic but suffer severe fatigue at times. I am taking ashtanga yoga right now which focuses on the stretching and toning of muscles while engaging in deep breathing, my hope is this will aid in my recovery. I am also scheduled to play hockey once a week for the summer, we will see how that goes, my surgeon says that it is OK (to play hockey that is) and that I will be able to play again someday? we will see. Did anyone do anything to attempt to get in shape for surgery? my surgeon told me the heart heals quickly but the sturnum, back etc. takes time. One more thing before I knew I had this thing (leakey miral valve) I was scoring 1 or 2 goals almost every time I went out to play hockey, since I was diagnosed last December I have not scored 1 goal, my doc says the mind is very powerful and I would have to agree! I haven't told any of the people I work out with about my condition, I am afraid they may worry that I might keel over at any moment, my guess is that I should be more up front about it but how do you ease into "by the way I am going in for open heart surgery"
JD

[tommy]

JD,

Based on the recovery experiences that people have posted in here, and based on my own experience, I say that being in better physical condition is a definite "plus" for quick recovery.

I was in poor condition prior to surgery. Use me as a bad example. :D

[hensylee]

The better your physical condition when you go in, the quicker your recovery. It still is not an easy recovery but will be a plus if you are fit.

As for telling your friends, you don't have to just yet. This is June - August 25th would be ok. And then you can tell just one person and it will spread quickly. You know the one about 'tell a woman'? Well, it works for men, too.

[tobagotwo]

If your doctor says OK, then it's OK.

Both of my cardios and my surgeon said that because of my stenosis, I should NOT do things to get into shape, particularly in the cardiovacular area. They were concerned about me doing permanent damage to the heart or, yes, keeling over before they could do their work.

After surgery, he was OK with whatever felt good to me, as long as I didn't unhinge my sternum in the process. He wanted me to wait eight weeks even to drive (the cardio cut my sentence to six weeks), because he has seen sternum damage in patients.

Best wishes,

[Bryan B]

The main thing I did before surgery was to quit smoking 8 weeks before the surgery. I think that make a huge difference in my recovery. I also tried to walk 2mi a day during those 8 weeks but got sick after a couple of weeks of walking (it was winter time), so I didn't follow through with that.

Good luck to you!

[Marge]

The main thing I did before surgery was to walk. My cardio was adamant about that. He wasn't concerned about distance or speed -- just consistency. I was diagnosed in November and had surgery in February and I walked every day. (I had always walked and hiked, but generally on trips, not as an everyday effort.) I recovered easily from the surgery, with little pain or discomfort.

[Raverlaw]

With a mitral valve problem (regurgitation?) you are probably Ok to do moderate exercise. I'd recommend walking or using a treadmill for 2-3 miles a day just to condition your body. Breathing is BIG after surgery, so get used to it now - practice breathing deeply, rather than little shallow breaths. Lose any extra weight you may have picked up, stop smoking if you do that.

Also, I'd recommend getting used to a heart-healthy diet if you're not already doing that. Your diet most likely didn't cause your condition, but after you spend all that money, time and effort to get a good heart, you might as well take very good care of it, right? Now is not too early to start.

And don't be afraid to share your news with friends. Some will understand and be there for you; others will not be able to understand and will basically ignore the news. You don't have to make a big deal of it, but don't wait until the last minute, as your friends will likely react with shock if you tell them the week before you're going in. If you're open to it, you will find a way to casually work your surgery into your conversation.

[Bunkenmeyer]

In addition to physical conditioning, I am a huge proponent of mental conditioning. There is a lot you can do via relaxation techniques and positive mental imagery that were extremely helpful for me before surgery and especially during recovery. It may very well be the same (but wrong) effect your seeing on your hockey game! Please do a search for my former postings and you'll find some more details and reccomendations.

-Bunkenmeyer

[Granbonny]

Those sure are 2 cuties you are holding. :) :) I think you should just enjoy them this summer...after your surgery..it will be a while before you can rough house with them.. :p :p At least 6 weeks....Play with them all summer..then you will need to explain to them a week or so before your surgery..that Daddy's has to have his heart fixed..and I will not be able to play with yall for a few weeks...Looks like at their ages..you should get plaenty of exercise. :D Bonnie

[M&M]

Hi John, Sorry to hear about your valve - but so happy it has been diagnosed and will be treated properly. I just had my mitral valve replacement 30 days ago. I was also asymptomatic (so I thought) when I first got the news - but over the course of the year - I realized soon that perhaps my ICD programming was not the cause of my shortness of breath. Walking, talking and breathing at the same time was out of the question. Stairs were very difficult for months and often caused me hours to recouperate and catch my breath - and yes I had fatigue. Now all this time - I chaulked it up to 'other' reasons for my complaints - like oh well I did 35 road races - I'm tired - of course I'm tired - who wouldn't be - I can't breath well because I'm always on the 'go' and between working and the house and family - no wonder I'm tired... Well, I couldn't even walk up a hill because I just didn't have the energy. I couldn't breath when I got to the top of the stairs for hours. But I had a good excuse - always had some good excuse and it was 'never' my heart that was the problem.. No, its amazing the different excuses we make as to 'why' we can't do things.

People around me heard me breathing really hard and kind of knew something wasn't normal. They were concerned - but didn't want to get nosey about it. So, they just kind of said: Gee, Marilyn are you alright - your not breathing well. This went on for mos and mos..

I can honestly say now - I had symptoms alot sooner than I realized - and I know this - because yesterday I actually walked up a hill and was breathing when I got to the top - which I can't remember the last time I did that. Its been a very long time. Then if that wasn't enough I walked up some stairs and once again I was breathing when I got to the top stair !!! I guess I just didn't see it - my husband did and he told me - but I was too busy making excuses and I was convinced there was no way I had problems when I could get 9:30 minute miles in some races !!! Sure, I was not breathing at the finish line - but that wasn't anything new - the important thing for me was did I set a new race record. I soon discovered my body was working twice as hard to accomplish less. But if you had asked me how things were going I would say Oh Great - Just great.. Really I would tell people well I get tired sometimes and I can't breath sometimes - but things are going great. :-) Really, I got 9:30 minute miles on several races !!! I got 10:54 minute miles on a half marathon !! I'm asymptomatic with my leaky mitral valve..

I had my surgery one month from today. So what did I do this week ? Well, I walked at least 3 to 5 miles everyday - I did 'low' impact aerobics last Saturday and I went boogie boarding last week !!! I've been going to the beach almost everyday (resting) since my two week surgery date. I walk along the coast of the ocean - for 3.5 miles - its beautiful - and then I sit on the beach and rest. I NEVER would have thought I would have recovered so quickly - NEVER - I was sure -I would be in pain for mos. I started taking motrin 3 days after surgery and that managed my pain 99% of the time.

I won't kid you - the first week was awful for me - until I got home and got some sleep I was not 'happy' - but within two weeks of surgery - my husband doubted they even did surgery on me. I think the surgeon had alot to do with my quick recovery - I was only on the table for about 3 hours and I only got a 5" incision - which looks like a small paper cut. No staples.. I think the
'lungs' take quite a beating - and once you do alot of your breathing exercises (coach 2) - every hour on the hour - it really, really helps alot. :-) I also did some simple home rehab exercises that helped my back and shoulders - I also found soaking in a hot tub (just alittle water) helped my back tremendously along with the rehab exercises twice a day. Its hard at first - but the more you do it - the better you feel later. I found myself - rolling - alot to get from one position to another at first - and that helps. My husband stayed home the first week with me. That was a big help. :-)

My best advice - some of pain is real - but some is in the mind - stay focused and positive as much as you can and set some reasonable goals and you'd be surprised how your mind can push your body and the motrin worked great for my aches and pains.. I took 3 motrins every 6 hours - and if I forgot - my body reminded me - I got terrible aches and pains - so I didn't forget them. It reall helpd to take away the 'mack' truck feeling and achiness all over feeling. :-) But find out what works for you and stick with it..

I found that telling my friends was 'good' in a way - but they really didn't understand and they made judgemental medical decisions for 'me'. In the beginning I told them I 'might' need surgery - then I waited till about the last month before I told them it was 'definent' and I will be having open heart surgery on such and such a day. I think that was the smartest thing I ever did. When you tell them - keep it simple - and only answer what they ask. Don't volunteer information - it just confuses them and they kind of worry and ask way to many questions that they just get more confused about. Just before surgery - I pulled out all my guns and asked for alot of support - I got a get well card delivered to my ICC room in less than 5 hours after my surgery. The support came from everywhere and although I didn't want any visitors in the hospital - I very much enjoyed all my get well cards - if anyone asks - just be honest if you don't want any visitors and say - I don't usually feel well in the hospital and I'm not sure I'm up to visitors - but I love get well cards. I was told (for me) not to get to excited after surgery as it can cause more electrical problems - for ME - as I have major electrical problems to begin with. So the only person I wanted to 'see' me after surgery - for several days was my husband - I didn't want people to see my all 'bloaty' and under the weather and my daughter hates needles - so I really didn't want to her to see me with all those IV's. She came and saw 'me' several days later -when I looked and felt better- the she knew I was fine.

Good Luck and try to keep - a positive attitude - I've been told I can do anything I set my mind to. Its true I have accomplished more than I ever imagined in the past 10 years. Since my surgery my first goal is to do a 5 mile race called the Lobster Dash in Ogunquit Maine - right on the beach and everyone gets a lobster roll and a 'finishing' lobster medal at the finish line. I plan to eat the lobster roll and give my surgeon the medal. Then in October I hope to do a half marathon. I really got a top notch surgeon. I'm very fortunate - and I really checked out my surgeon - over and over and over - and I had several office visits - before I signed on the dotted line. In my opinion I work far to hard taking care of this body to just let 'anyone' touch it.. This guy is 'gooood'.. and I'm forever grateful for his 'surgical expertise'. He'll get alot of my running medals just to show my deep gratitude for his hard work and expertise - I came out of surgery really well. I was very fortunate.

I did ask my surgeon 'before' my surgery if he expected me to have the same quality of life - after surgery - as I had before surgery? He said: Absolutely - Marilyn - Absolutely.. Just so he knew - what I 'expected' out of this surgery. I never told him how often I raced - or my race times - but I think I'll run as good if not better with this new valve. She's giving me so much oxygen - compared to before and more than I've had in a long time - and I don't get those pains in my legs anymore !!!

Well, I could talk forever - I can say the 'waiting' is very hard - but once you start to feel well after surgery - there's no doubt in my mind I made the right decision. Next week I go for my one month ekg, x-ray and echo.. I know my new valve is working great - I can 'breath' and that is such a new experience for me and such a wonderful feeling :-) No more gasping for air.. No more 'excuses' as to why I'm gasping for air.

Good Luck and this board is an excellent source of information as well as support along with your friends and family. I'm still amazed at the amount of support that poured out to me after my surgery. Its wonderful and I will never forget those who came in my time of need.

Today is my ONE MONTH ANNIVERSARY - I had open heart surgery May 25th and today I feel so great. :-) For me surgery was not the 'ending' but a new 'beginning' - for a better tomorrow. Stay strong and stay focused..

BTW, I had 10 years of daily exercise a good 6 mos previous to my surgery - but didn't have the energy to exercise at all hardly 6 mos prior to surgery. I really wanted to exercise and get into 'better' shape before surgery - But, I think the rest before my surgery helped me to recover quicker after my surgery. I was soooo tired before my surgery. I'm glad I didn't go into surgery really exhausted. I took the week off prior to my surgery and 'rested' alot. Working full time and maintaining a house and family was enough exercise for me. I was lucky to be able to do that the last few mos..

Good Luck with your hockey and good luck with your surgery - stay in touch..

Runner
Marilyn, Dick and Judy :-)

[Shine_on_Syd]

I kept running up until surgery. I ran 4 miles the day before OHS. I just watched my pulse.

[danielgilboa]

Hi James,

The better yougo in the better you come out.
I remember coming out of surgery like a rag but recovery was, still is going very well. I am sure my efforts to keep in shape before had their affect. Being active during the recovery period is the next important step.

I would also think about healthy nutrition and getting to ideal weight.

The most important thing is you are preparing in a positive way. Keep it up

Daniel

[doberman]

Thanks everyone for taking the time, thanks to Runner for the words of encouragment I read all the notes every word.
Best JD