retiredmls
Active member
I am 4 weeks post-op tomorrow. I had an AVR with median sternotomy. My incision looks pretty good, except for a slight swelling right at the top. Is that normal? How long will it take to go away?
Swelling at top of incision
- Thread starter retiredmls
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I'm glad things are going so well. The bump at the top is pretty common, there are a few threads about them here is one. http://www.valvereplacement.org/for...-this-big-sternum-bump-go-away&highlight=bump
I too had the bump at the top. You can see it at 3 weeks in the photo album in my profile. It went away after about 4 months..
Chris, like you and Johan, I, too, had a bump at the top of my incision. My surgeon assured me that it was "an artifact of the geometry of surgery". The good news is that it does not indicate a problem and it goes away in 3 to 6 months.
Oh, I see your valve is like mine and Johan's. Following up on a conversation I had with Johan, have you received your card from Edwards? If you have not received it, you may want to call them and register your valve yourself (Edwards Customer Service: 800-424-3278). Sometimes the Surgeon's office does it but sometimes not. Best to get it done now when the records are still fresh. Chris, I hope your recovery is going well; take care.
Larry
Oh, I see your valve is like mine and Johan's. Following up on a conversation I had with Johan, have you received your card from Edwards? If you have not received it, you may want to call them and register your valve yourself (Edwards Customer Service: 800-424-3278). Sometimes the Surgeon's office does it but sometimes not. Best to get it done now when the records are still fresh. Chris, I hope your recovery is going well; take care.
Larry
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Jkm7
Well-known member
As others have said, the swollen bump is very common. I had pronounced swelling after both my OHS and the swelling decreased gradually and was totally gone within about 3 months both times.
Hope you recovery is going smoothly for you.
Hope you recovery is going smoothly for you.
retiredmls
Active member
Thanks, all. I guess I have to learn to be more patient with this whole recovery thing (although being home is driving me crazy).
Mine wasn't swollen, but the upper incision really took a long time to heal decently. Good Luck.
Is it swollen or is it more like a bump? If it is swollen it would be soft to the touch, if it's a bump it would feel somewhat like a bruise when touched and should be gone within a few weeks.
If your concerned, get it checked out.
If your concerned, get it checked out.
I had a bump at the top for some time ... it is gone now ... give it time...
