Any recommendations and answers from experienced OHS Patients

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T

tdrother

I was wondering if anyone could recommend any tips for Open Heart Surgery. In January I am having resection of the ascending aorta and possible aortic valve replacement. I was Dx with a Bicuspid Aortic Valve and I have a 5.0 cm ascending aneurysm. I am having my surgery performed by Dr. Sharo Raissi at Cedars-Sinai.

What is the first couple of weeks after surgery like?

Is walking up stairs going to be a problem, (I live on the second floor of a non-ADA apartment complex)?

How long till I will be able to be self-sufficient?

How long will it take to go back to work? (I have a desk job, not to strenuous)

What devices/comfort items do people recommend to make home life a little easier following surgery?

Thanks for all the help.
 
I don't know that I have all the answers but I have a few. Basically I think a general answer to all of the questions depends on your current physical condition. The better your condition prior to surgery, the easier and faster your recovery will be.
What is the first couple of weeks after surgery like? I think these are the worst. I think one of the major problems (at least for me) was getting into a comfortable lying position and getting up from any lying position. I think being tired a lot is very common and it doesn't take too much to tire you out

Is walking up stairs going to be a problem, (I live on the second floor of a non-ADA apartment complex)? I think it's possible as long as you do it very slowly and expect to be exhausted by the time you get to the top.

How long till I will be able to be self-sufficient? You should be able to do a lot from the start. Like I mentioned before, you'll tire easily. You will have to resist lifting anything very heavy and over-stretching to reach things that might be up high. There are some household chores that you need to get others to do for you.

How long will it take to go back to work? (I have a desk job, not to strenuous)I definitely don't have a good answer here. I work part time and am just three weeks out from surgery. I feel strong enough and capable of going back to my job(I manage a small office) but since I'm retired and only work because I want to, I won't be going back until the beginning of the year, if I do at all.

What devices/comfort items do people recommend to make home life a little easier following surgery? A recliner! I don't have one and was going to rent one, but improvised which worked out okay for me. Make sure things you use daily are easy to access. Keep some good books, some puzzles and the TV control close at hand because you will probably be bored more than you ever have

I'm sure some of the other people here will somewhat disagree with my comments and most of them have been around here much longer than I have and have had more experiences.
Good luck going into surgery and best wishes for a speedy recovery. Keep us all posted. There is lots of good and helpful information on this site.
 
Hello! I had an aortic aneurysm / aortic valve job done last year.

The first couple of weeks after surgery vary wildly from one person to another. For me, it wasn't nearly as bad as I expected. As mentioned above, I was very tired and had some pain, but the most difficult part was the anxiety of coming home and fearing that something might go wrong.

I could climb a flight of stairs on my first day home but was told to organize my day so that I only did it once (come down in the morning, go back up at night) for the first week or so.

The self-sufficiency question is tough. From the first day I came home, I could dress myself, go to the bathroom, get a snack, etc. However, it would be best if someone could be with you at least for the first week to help you get meals, get groceries, do laundry etc. as you will be so tired and also just to help relieve loneliness and anxiety. For me at least, I really didn't feel like reading or even watching tv at first, so the time can move kind of slow.

As far as comfort items go, I'd recommend stocking up on a wide array of your favorite foods before going to the hospital as you may not have much of an appetite when you get home and will need to coax yourself to eat. Also, anything that you feel like might make you feel better - I got several new pairs of comfy pajamas. Other than that, I can't think of anything - my Dr. didn't recommend the recliner (said it discourages people from walking because the are hard to get out of) but many on this site swear by it. Best of luck, Kate
 
Back to work is generally recognized as six to eight weeks. Short-term disability programs accept that. Work is more stress than you may think. Don't feel you're doing well to go back earlier.

I was fortunate, and was able to go up and down stairs easily, and could fend for myself from day one home (3 days after surgery). But that's not everyone's experience.

Three thoughts for the surgery itself...

- Find out if they use a lip clip for the breathing tube. If they do, ask for tape instead. The clip leaves a fat lip behind for a couple of days.

- Consider asking about Fentanyl, instead of the standard morphine. It doesn't tend to cause the spaciness, or the nausea and constipation that morphine frequently does, and comes in patient-controlled dosing, like morphine. If you want it, ask ahead for this.

- Consider asking for Tramadol vs. Percodan or Percocets for the same reason, when leaving for home.

These are still narcotics. They just tend to have fewer effects. Everyone reacts differently to prescriptions, so if you have trouble taking narcotics, you may still find these strong.

Best wishes,
 
Everyone is different, but this was my experience.....

What is the first couple of weeks after surgery like?
I was definitely tired, but it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be. Not much pain due to the meds. Able to walk around albeit slowly. Appetite pretty good. Worst part was not overdoing it because I actually felt pretty good. Couldn't lie down, so had to prop myself up with pillows. A real achievement was taking showers and getting dressed. :p

Is walking up stairs going to be a problem, (I live on the second floor of a non-ADA apartment complex)?
Not really, one step at a time. We have a two-story house. Just tried to limit my trips up and down the stairs.

How long till I will be able to be self-sufficient?
Depends what you mean be "self sufficient". MY wife stayed home from work the first couple of days, but after that I was on my own. I made my own breakfast and lunches, etc. She did chores like groceries. My son did the shoveling when it snowed. However, for the most part I was home alone and was able to cope. Just took it easy and tried not to lift anything too heavy or stretch too far.

How long will it take to go back to work? (I have a desk job, not to strenuous)
I work in an office too, although I have 1.5 hour daily commute by car/train. I was back in 12 weeks. Many posts I've read returned much earlier, but I have pretty good health care benefits so I didn't rush it. In hindsight, I think I should have waited another couple of weeks. When I did return, I worked 2 days the first week, 3 the second, and then 4 for the next 2 months. I was able to work from home during that period one day a week, logging into the office with my laptop and calling into meetings if necessary. It just so happened that I returned to work late May, so I was able to take take advantage of the "summer lull" we typically have since my job entails meeting after meeting with cross-functional groups. Since summer has lots of vacations happening, it tends to slow down.

What devices/comfort items do people recommend to make home life a little easier following surgery
Lots of pillows to prop myself in bed. Sat up on the couch most of the day with a foot stool for my feet. Had a nice flannel blanket to keep me warm. Also one of those portable tables to eat, etc. Remote controls for the TV/DVD, what more could I ask for? :D I had a good pair of walking shoes to do my walking around the house. Since it was too cold to go outside (winter in Canada at the time), I set myself a routine route to walk around the house. Loaded up on DVDs as I found that easier than reading. I had a couple of books but found it hard to concentrate on them. DVDs were great becuase you could just pause them if you were tired or wanted to get up and move around. I also had one of those seats for the shower . My mom who is in her late 80s got one for our house for when she comes for a visita nd it really came in handy.

Best wishes for your upcoming surgery!
 
Welcome to the site,
Most everything seems to have been covered just wanted to add two things.

I was back to work part time after 10 days and fulltime after three weeks (from home) and back in the office after five weeks. I still think I could have gone back sooner (actually brought up going back to work when I was released from the hospital to my wife, I'm sure you can guess how that went:rolleyes: hey OHS on the weekend).

The stairs shouldn't present any problem just don't push it, the day after I got home I ran up the stairs two at a time and had to stop half way up.
 
Yes, everyone's different. A week after surgery, I got to come home from the hospital but I went into A-fib later that day. My husband and I didn't fully realize how emergently serious that was and we really didn't want to go to a local (crummy) hospital and we really didn't want to go back up to LA (I had OHS at Good Samaritan). We finally dragged back up there because I had to be readmitted for the A-fib medication administration and we didn't get back home again for a few more days. Then came the Cedars and Paradise Fires in San Diego County (just missed our house) and all of the bad smoke and ash for weeks and I think all of this, including the impossibility of regular exercise, set me back somewhat in my recovery. I remember reading one time that you can spend a week recovering from every day in bed, and that wasn't even in reference to the assault on your body of OHS. I think that was about true for me.

Oh, I found sleep in a nice firm recliner necessary; bed was uncomfortable for a few weeks. You can have night-time sweats for awhile too. I don't know about the stairs but ask the rehab before you go home and they'll show you what to do. BE SURE THAT YOU DO YOUR BREATH EXERCISES that you will be given at the hospital and any of the arm exercises they give you also; they REALLY help. Hope all goes well for you.
 
I want to thank everyone for their helpful advice. I really appreciate it. I know that I will have more questions as the date nears.

Thanks
 
a chair you can put your feet up on
you won[t be walking up stairs for a few weeks
the first couple of days are a blur
just take your pain meds and read books
GET A PRIVATE ROOM! This is VERY important. And worth the $.
email me if you have other quesitons
you will need someone to take care of you for a couple of weeks, I think
allow yourself a month off work
 
Don't know about the beard and mustache, but for the first couple of days you'll be urinating through a catheter :eek: and won't be having a bowel movement. After the catheter is removed, you'll get one of those urination bottles so you can go without having to get out of bed. However, when you are up, you'll be able to walk to the bathroom as the IV and other hook-ups are connected to a stand that you roll around with you. By the time I was ready to have a bowel movement (I think it was about the 4th day) I was fine getting out of bed on my own to walk to the bathroom.
 
I don't have a beard but they did shave my chest and tummy, but I guess you knew that already. As for the bathroom, by the time they took the de-cautherized me, I didn't have any IVs or anything connected to me except a remote EKG thing. So I'd have help getting to a sitting position and go on my own. The BM thing happened after two days when I actually requested a suppository. I knew I need to go and I also knew I wouldn't get released until I did....and it worked. I got release early on day 3. :)
 
True,
Everyone has their own pace of recovery

The first couple weeks were the slowest..and as in anything the worst.
I ate, slept, walked and ate, slept walked those weeks.
I personally did not like bright light, or loud sounds for a few weeks..so I didnt' even watch much TV for about 2 weeks.

Steps were not a problem, I took them slowly..and had to go up and down at least 2x a day from the begining

I didn't do much cooking for my family for a few weeks, but I was fine to make my own lunches and heat things up from the night before.
My pots/ pans are pretty heavy and my husband didn't want me lifting too many when he wasnt' home. but I was alone with my kids from day 5

I didn't have a recliner..but wish I would have. I proped myself the best I could in my bed at night, but it was pretty rough for a couple nights.

As for pain meds. I didn't take ANY narcotics.. I am allergic to the whole lot o f them. So there are other ways to manage pain. Check and see if they havea massage therapist or REIKI therapist on hand, they really do help relieve the pain.

You will do fine.. and Ask away..we have all been on that side of it..
 
I didn't shave my beard and mustache completely, but I did trim them nice and short and neat. There didn't seem to be an issue with my facial hair, and trimming it short kept it from itching too much until I was able to get home and trim again. But the last couple of days in the hospital, I could have trimmed there if I wanted.

BUT I got a short haircut at the insistence of my wife which was one of the best moves ever, since they didn't let me shower in the hospital and, even short, my hair became very gross.

The PT at the hospital had me go up and down a short flight (5 steps) on the 3rd day, and I didn't have any trouble. I went up and down a full flight the day I got home several times, and didn't have any trouble either, just went slow. The advice was to concentrate on using only the legs, using the railing only for balance, and I think that was good advice.

Like Kodi, by the time they took out my Foley catheter, I was able to walk to the bathroom by myself and wasn't hooked into any lines or wires other than the remote EKG.

Once we got home my wife went back to work full time and I've been able to care for myself during the day OK. I'm 3 weeks out as of tomorrow and am helping with the laundry and cooking, but she still has to do any heavy lifting or extreme reaching.

I slept on my back, with some discomfort, immediately after getting out of the hospital. I can now sleep on my back or either side without too much discomfort (I'd be afraid to try sleeping on my belly so far).

Showering was not a problem as long as I didn't turn up the volume or temperature too much.

I have a recliner but actually find that it makes me sit in a slouching position because the seat is too long for my legs. For the first few weeks, chairs that put me in a more upright position were actually better, so if you get a recliner, get one that fits your body well.
 
rckrzy1 said:
Did those with a beard and or mustache have to shave for surgery ?
Click to expand...

I'll let you know next week after i go for my pre-op appointment but i've already bought some male roll on hair remover to also do my shoulders, back, chest and stomac etc....i'm not a yetti but i'm a distant cousin....i don't fancy a true shave over that square meterage....:p

Plus the fun i had taking the stickers off from the hairy shoulders after my angiogram i don't want to be having after ohs.

Thanks for the pointer on the short haircut, i may head down for a 1/2 inch shave just before to prevent bed head.
 
Didn't read all of the replies above, so this may have already been mentioned.

In ICU, try NOT to think about water (or a cold beer).....you'll want to drink water but will only be allowed to suck on ice.

You'll need a good PILLOW to cover your chest....especially when you cough.

And you may sweat a lot at night when you get home, so have spare sheets available. Stairs were not a problem for me (I also had an aneurysm resected and valve replaced). It really helps to be in good shape going into surgery....I walked several miles each day and worked out for years prior to surgery. In recovery, it helps to walk each day as much as you feel comfortable walking and at least the minimum recommended by the doctors. Just don't try to do too much too soon. To take a shower at home, put a good solid waterproof chair in the shower to sit on.
 
Two aditional things that I found helped. Ask for a stool softener after surgery. The last thing you want to be doing is straining post-op and the narcotics can be somewhat constipating. Also, install a hand held showerhead, even one of the temporary types. It makes is much easier to wash up. The things I wanted most after surgery were: good food, a good shower, my own bed, and lots of naps. :)
 
I second that about the shower. I have long hair and going a week without washing it was AWFUL!!! The second week, because I was rehospitalized and had more IVs out the wazoo, was another unpleasant shower-free week. If I ever have another OHS, I will cut my hair much shorter. Lots of it fell out during the first few months after OHS and it had to grow back in anyway, so why not cut it. My husband installed one of those hose shower wand things and he put a sturdy/steady outdoor chair in the shower for me to sit on and that was a big help too even though I only needed it a few times. A second on the naps also -- terrific things, those naps;).
 
I think you will be amazed how much better you will feel after one night at home with no one waking you every two hours.
At discharge I was able to climb stairs, dress, bathe and prepare food unassisted. I returned to work at 5 weeks post op but believe I could have returned at 4. Once home the hard part was over for me.
Advice:
  • Get frequent massages. It is very difficult to get comfortable for a while.
  • DON'T SNEEZE!! you will find that laughing, coughing and certain movements will cause pain but none come close to the dreaded sneeze!
I'm sure you will do well. I think most of us find that this is not nearly as offensive as we imagine it to be.

Philip
 
I second the comment about the stool softener. The narcotics stopped me up so badly that I didn't go until the 5th day - but I had lots of gas, which I was also told was normal.

Strangely, no one at the hospital asked me if I'd had a BM before they released me. Do you guys thing this was an oversight, or they don't care as much as they used to?
 
Stool or chair for shower

Stool or chair for shower

Another thing that can really help (if it hasn't been mentioned) is a plastic lawn chair (or platic stool) in the shower the first week home.
 
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