boomersooner said:
I'm two weeks post of as of tomorrow. I feel fantastic. I am still sore from the sternum stuff. I am also getting ready to start cardiac rehab this week. I was told that cardiac rehab is pretty tough and they really push you. Does anyone have any eperience with this? Anyway, I am so happy I had surgery. Since I was born with a BAV and it just started leaking more and more I suppose I didnt realize how bad I was feeling. Going from a 4+ to 0 on regurg had made me feel like a new person!
I started cardiac rehab Jan 2nd. Being in good shape before hand really helps you bounce back quick. I feel like they can't push me hard enough yet, I like the peace of mind from the heart monitoring while I'm exercising, and they take your blood pressure during exercise the first 6 weeks. Treadmill for 30 minutes, started at no grade and 3.0 mph, now at a 4.5 grade, 3.5 mph, will increase this week to a 4.0 mph or just under a running pace. I hope to be allowed to run on the treadmill this week or next. They started me out at 2 sets of 12 repetitions with light weights, 3lb hand weights at first, I'm at 5 lbs now, Nautalus equip. leg lifts start at 10lbs, I'm up to 15 now, will start using the arm equip this week, push outs, pull ins. I ride the stationery bike for 15 minutes, it has arm things too, did not use those until 8 weeks post op. Finish with stretching, they take your blood pressure reading at the end of every visit, and go home. I feel good after the workouts.
I'm allowed to increase my repetitions and weight as the current weights feel easy. My rehab goes through March.
P.S. to get the sticky stuff off from the EKG tabs, try baby oil, taking those on and off 3 x a week irritates the skin. The tabs are 1 over your right collarbone, 1 over your left ribs.
