Exercise after Surgery

[GeorgeM]

Hello everyone

I have been a forum member since last August, but a fairly quiet one.

I have found it to be a wonderful and supportive place to get really valuable information about heart valve surgery, the options available etc - the sort of information that's difficult to 'prise out' of my consultant !!

I am waiting to have an aortic valve replacement in Jan / Feb 2007 and would like to know about exercise after my operation.

I am a fairly active person - enjoying running, cycling and walking.

Will I be able to do these after my operation ?

Also what would others recommend for indoor exercise after the operation - is using a cycling machine, treadmill OK ?

It's really great and comforting to be a member here.

Best Wishes


George Montgomery

 

[davidfortune]

George,

Welcome. Sorry you're here but glad you found us.

Post surgery for 1 - 4 weeks (probably) your surgeon will want you walking only. Starting slowly and build to a mile a day (although those who are active will continue on and exceed that distance). Your surgeon will also set a max heart rate for you during that time (my limit is currently set at 120 - I'm 3 weeks out of surgery).

Initially the surgeon may not want you on a treadmill for fear of tripping/falling and catching yourself with your arms or falling and hurting yourself. I personally pretty much ignored that restriction and walked on a treadmill very slowly initially and increased speed each day. I do realize that paying attention and keeping my hands on the rails (for balance and guidance to avoid stepping off or falling) is critical since a fall could separate the sternum which would be classified as BAD!

After your release from your surgeon to your cardiologist (probably around 1 month post surgery), your cardio will discuss exercise, weight lifting and heart rate limits with you. Please follow his advice (although negotiation is possible depending on your cardio and your overall lifestyle). I would think stationary bike would be ok as would treadmill assuming appropriate heart rate limits are observed.

Overall long term after surgery you should be able to do whatever you want in terms of exercise (although power lifting will be off limits). Obviously you should discuss with your cardio but assuming good health overall the only limit he is likely to place on you is no heavy weights and a heart rate max. If you're on coumadin you may get initial restrictions against skiing, mountain biking, baseball, football, etc.... These are probably negotiable areas assuming you take adequate precautions to protect your head and recognize that they are increased risk activities and you are willing to assume that risk.

Good luck,
David

 

[Arnold Ziffel]

Hi and welcome to the sight,
I am 8 weeks post op AVR, my first month I had a few setbacks that wouldnt allow me to do much of anything but rest. I had trouble with the breathing exercises.
They told me no lifting over 5 lbs and NO overhead lifting the first month, my second month after my 30 day post op visit with the surgeon they said I could lift 10-15 lbs, and to start out with 3 lb d-bells and work the arms, but I havent done that yet. I am now walking 3 miles a day (in 1 outing, but I loose energy to go for a second outing in the same day) all 10-12% hills for the most part, I am looking for steeper ones now.

They told me after 8 weeks I could ride a bike and my motorcycle, but after 5 months of vegging I need to get my muscles back in shape before I get on the Harley. I am going to try my mountain bike this week, my biggest concern now is my sternum and shoulders are still sore and clacky at times.
Steve

 

[MelissaM]

A ton of people on the boards lead active lifestyles (see forum entitled Active Lifestyles ). The key is TIME. Healing is gradual, and you are doing yourself NO FAVORS by pushing it. But over time, you should be able to return to a good level (if not better level) of activity.

My level of activity is small compared to some on the boards, but even so, this weekend, I managed to snowshoe for three miles at altitude and go skiing. My cardio has cleared me to go hike a 14,000 ft mountain this summer. So, as long as you are taking the necessary precautions to protect life and limb, the sky is the limit.

 

[Adrienne]

I am far from an athlete, but I do work out regularly at gym at my own pace on a treadmill. I use a Polar F11 heart rate monitor to be able to easily see what my heart rate is without having to count my pulse, which I find very difficult while walking very fast on a tread mill.

 

[Cooker]

A ton of people on the boards lead active lifestyles (see forum entitled Active Lifestyles ). The key is TIME. Healing is gradual, and you are doing yourself NO FAVORS by pushing it.

I agree 2000%. Take time to heal and then enjoy your renewed energy level. I pushed to hard to fast and paid the price of a couple of set backs. I now feel better that ever due to surgery and life style changes. If I ever have to do this again I will stroll through it rather than run.

Best wishes in your up comming surgery.

Tom

 

[GeorgeM]

Thanks everyone for your advice.

I think I'll definately make use of a heart rate monitor and take it gradually as you say. As long as I come out the other end of the operation in one piece I'll be happy !!

I'll be posting my progress here once I've had the op.

Thanks again everyone.

George

 

[Rich]

George,
I would suggest a lot of walking. By the middle of my first week home, I was walking a mile twice a day, every day rain or shine. It really worked great to get my strength back. My cardiologist told me at my one month check-up I did not need any rehab, the walking was doing it all.
Also remember it can take an average of ten weeks for your sternum to fully heal, so you will most likely be restricted to lifting no more than five pounds for some time. I started back driving at one month, it was uncomfortable because my chest still wasn't healed but I did it anyway (I was a terrible back seat driver according to my wife) .
So when your time comes just take it slow, time is the best healer of all.
Rich

 

[Marguerite53]

Please let us know when you get a date for your surgery! You wouldn't want to go through it without us, would you??

If you are not a patient person....guess what......recovery will be teaching you new lessons. But it is just that....recovery. It's different for everyone, but the vast majority of us feel 3000% better at the end of it all. You just have to be patient....your body will be in charge for awhile!

NO weight lifting while you are waiting, ya hear!! Nothing that will ramp up your blood pressure.

Drop in more often!! Marguerite

 

[GeorgeM]

Thanks all for your advice - I'm sure I'll be back for more, and I'll let you know when I get my op date.

Based on Rich's walking tip, looks like I'm gonna need a good raincoat as I'll be doing those walks in the middle of Winter !!

Bye for now.

George

 

[Susan BAV]

Hi George -

It sounds like you got a lot of great advice already. Pace yourself.

I was reminded of the story I heard about a world-famous person rumored to have "blown out" his new aortic valve the very first day post-op while "terminating" an exercise bicycle, about a decade ago. Don't know if it's true, but that was the story.

Hope all goes well for you! And post-op, pace yourself!

 

[wildcat fan]

Hello everyone,

Brand new to this site and so far from what I have seen there is a lot of info and personal stories that have helped me already in dealing with my operation and what I can expect in the long run . Anyways I had a 5.2cm Ascending Aortic Anerusym and a bi-cupsid Aortic valve that was diagnosed in Sept 2005 when I ended up in the ER where I work at . fast foward to 2006 after talking with 2 heart docs about my condition one was recommeding the Ross Procedure and just deal with the Anerusum and the other could do it all at once. I had my operation on Nov.7th,2006 at Baptist Hosptial East in Louisville,Ky which is also my employer for the past 10 years. everything has gone excellent and all my docs have been impressed at how well I have done . My Doc has cleared me to start back in hte gym and go back to work here shortly in about 2 weeks. I just know I will be glad to get back to the gym and regain what I have lost during my recovery time and all . Will keep updateing when time permits for me .

 

[wildcat fan]

forgot to mention that my heart doc said LITE wieghts and more reps is what I could do and to work on my cardio within reason. So far I am doing Cardiac Rehab and it is going smoothly for now not pushing hard like I use to do before surgery but a steady pace for the time being . I hope this helps everyone.

 

[Susan BAV]

forgot to mention that my heart doc said LITE wieghts and more reps is what I could do and to work on my cardio within reason. So far I am doing Cardiac Rehab and it is going smoothly for now not pushing hard like I use to do before surgery but a steady pace for the time being . I hope this helps everyone.

Welcome, Wildcat Fan! Good and helpful advice that, LIGHT WEIGHTS, MORE REPS, WITHIN REASON, STEADY PACE.