Recovery Times

[ccummins]

Hi all,

I know, I know ... look at past threads ... and I have. Thought I would start a new one to get some updated recovery time answers. I certainly know that recovery is something that is different for each person but I am wondering how some of my new friends fared. What were you able to do at 1 week ... 3 weeks ... 1 month ... 2 months ... 3 ... etc. When did you feel pretty much normal, or shall I say well. When you cold do whatever you wanted without worrying.

Cheers!

 

[cp172]

I had minimal invasive surgery with DaVinci robot. I was back at work and driving in three weeks. On hindsight I probably pushed it but I was getting bored out of my mind at home. I had no restrictions after three weeks other than watching what I picked up and getting plenty of rest.I just had my one year anniversary and am doing well.

 

[Adrienne]

The first week I was very weak. After 10 days (5 days at home) I started taking over the cooking (easy stuff) which my husband had been doing. By two weeks post-op, I was walking about ¾ of a mile twice a day. By three weeks post-op, I felt great (sore chest of course). Actually, it was only after about 6 or 7 weeks when I took the bus downtown and did lots of shopping that I realized that I was wiped out afterwards, but I had been on my feet a long time. However, on New Year's Eve (a little over two months after the surgery), I was dancing. Four months post-op, I visited a cousin in New York, and we walked from Greenwich Village up to the theatre district (long, long walk). So, that's my experience.

 

[Jkm7]

My first OHS, my recovery was uneventful with no complications but slow. Still, I was able to shower and dress myself day I came home from the hospital. I could manage for myself during the day and make a sandwich or snack but I tired very easily and had no strength. I slept in our bed right from the start. Each stage of recovery was slow. It was a full year until I truly felt recovered.

My second surgery (four years later), I flew through early recovery right from the moment I first woke after surgery. I showered twice in hospital, walked the corridor with nurse and DH the day after my surgery with four drainage tubes in me. Did great first home with no complications, started my walking routine as instructed and quickly reached my pre-op distances. Then I seemed to hit a wall. I stopped getting better and held steady at a less than fully recovered point for months. I was able to do all I wanted and needed but it took more effort than it should have. Travel was harder on me than previously. I am coming up to a year now and feel I am at max recovery now.

It's true.....everyone is different. I got tired of hearing that from all the health care professionals but now know (after two surgeries) that not only is everyone different but they are different one surgery to the next. I had same cardio, same surgeon, same hospital, some of the same nurses....same patient. Both my recoveries were different.

 

[Bina]

I had a less than fabulous recovery.....home nurse and pyjamas for 6 weeks, etc. etc.
Sorry to be a bummer.

 

[abbanabba]

Week 1: while in hospital I was able to shower, dress (albeit nice loose clothes) and walk around the ward a bit. Not a good place for sleeping, so I was always very tired.

Week 2: Christmas! Fortunately I had my BF's family there who did pretty much everything for me. I had been able to wash my hair, but needed help drying it. Had problems reaching too high or low. I could make myself a snack (when I was allowed!!) but was still quite tired. Was taking very slow walks to the end of the street and back.

Week 3-5: walking a little more, able to stretch a little more every day. Still feeling a tender and protective but able to cook meals, do dishes, light stretching. Able to do some grocery shopping by week 4/5 but still needed help to lift bags in and out of trolley.

Week 6/7: all of a sudden feeling much better - may be due to first rehab session and stretches/exercises to get circulation going again and to stretch out those back and shoulder muscles that had been so tight and sore. Had a couple of lunch dates, more shopping. Feeling much better and not so protective and conscious of every little move.

Week 8/9 (tomorrow!): Still a little restricted with heavy stuff (full shopping bags are still a bit much, but then they do tend to way over-pack them!!), but finally sleeping without all the extra pillows and only having a slight amount of discomfort when changing positions. Otherwise have been vacuuming, doing laundry (I remember picking up the basket full of clothes without a second thought, then realising what I'd done and having a private victory moment!), we had a house inspection today, so the weekend was spent sweeping and cleaning, etc. with no after effects.

I'm still having a little trouble walking up hills, but I think that's due more to the fact I was so symptomatic for so long before my surgery and my overall fitness and stamina had all but disappeared. However, I've applied for a part-time job and can now walk at a really good pace for half an hour or so AND talk at the same time (woo-hoo!!). I know I've still got more recovering to do, but I'm feeling better than I have in years and I think by 3 months I'll be pretty much able to do what I like. I may still get tired as my body adjusts to levels of activity it hasn't seen in years, but then that's to be expected.


A : )

 

[axeldog]

Surgery was on Wednesday, 31 Dec 08, released from hospital 3 Jan 09.
First week - Sat in easy chair and watched t.v. and read. I had a hard time sleeping. I seemed to wake up everyday at 0200 and could not get back to sleep.
Second week - Started walking to get the mail, sleeping became easier. I wanted food (because I watched the food network alot) by the time it was made I was not hungry.
Third week - Started walking more, the more walking the easier it is to sleep.
Fourth week - Sleeping and eating about normal, started rehab
Fifth week - Working part-time, going to rehab three times a week, get tired in the afternoon
Sixth week - Working part-time, going to rehab three times a week, get tired in the afternoon

 

[Herburban1]

Tomorrow is 3 weeks for me,I had a rough first week with nausea/vomiting and showering wore me out.I have been trying to walk outside atleast once a day. Around the house I have been doing light stuff dishes,sweeping the floor,nothing that involves any weight. I went grocery shopping and walked the whole way and took a nap when I got home..Getting there.

 

[Tom F.]

I had surgery on a friday, sent home on tuesday, Christmas Eve. The next day I was able to shower, dress, make coffee, and generally take care of myself, but that effort did make me tired. Wife and I went out to eat 13 days post op, and the martini was wonderful! I started driving at 4 weeks, went back to the gym exactly 6 weeks to the day of surgery, back at work the next week. While I could seemingly do a great deal, if I pushed I got tired, and that continued to some degree up to 6 mos. post op or so. After that point I was pretty much back to normal.

 

[ChouDoufu]

avr jan 10. 3-1/2 hours, no complications, no blood given. gained 6 pounds.

jan 17, walking the hospital halls couple hours per day, some stairs. really bored but
the food was good. discharged on 17th. weigh one pound less than at check-in.

jan 24 walking 8 miles per day, up to one hour walking non-stop.

jan 30 did 3 one-hour treadmill sessions. total 12 miles. now have lost 10 pounds
from my pre-op weight, down to 80kg/176lb.

feb 3 washed clothes, ouch! hanger rod is on the balcony ceiling. no problem cooking,
but washing up is rough, i gots a really heavy wok. mopping bathroom floor daily.
daily shopping at fruit and veggie and meat markets.

feb 7 long walk to the train station. 9 miles in 2-1/2 hours.

feb 9 short session at the uni track. really slow 300m slogs, 1:45 each time.

tomorrow planning a 12-15 mile walk to the nearest little village near the hydro
dam. mostly flat along the river, follows a bus route with 10-min service the
entire distance.

 

[Lotti]

My version

My version

Had surgery day 1 and external pacemaker fitted

Had another surgery day 2

Moved to ward day 3

Had C-Difficile day 3

Moved to isolation day 3

Spent the next week being very ill

Day 8-14 Started to walk short distances and eat some food although no taste to anything, by day 12 able to walk over 100meters

Day 15 had permanent pacemaker fitted

Day 16 really bad from surgery the day before

Day 17 went home

Over the next few weeks gradually started to cook although no lifting pans.

By 5 months started to feel better and could walk up to a mile or so at a time.

Started rehab

Finshed rehab 7 months later

Finally signed off from 3 monthly checkups after two years

I am now 3 years out and having a ball.


Go for it...As the medics said at the time.......Blimey! You're 1 in a 100

This is so you know just how great you will do cause I just have to be special!!!


Lotti

 

[ccummins]

Blimey Lotti ... thanks for the advice and the smile! I like the thought of being special!

 

[Lynlw]

Blimey Lotti ... thanks for the advice and the smile! I like the thought of being special!

But sometimes you don't want to be special...boring has it's advantages.

 

[DebbyA]

But sometimes you don't want to be special...boring has it's advantages.

Yes, in this situation you want to be especially boring...

My stats:
surgery Wed, home Sat.
1 week--showering without someone standing by (never needed help but showering was tiring)
3 weeks--cooking for 3 (someone had to get things down from shelves)
5 weeks--driving, short local trips
8 weeks--resumed walking two dogs for midday break
3 months--setback, pericardial effusion, another 3 days in CCU, another incision
4 months--back on track, started rehab
5 months--day hikes in Shenandoah
6 months--feeling great!

I never pushed, probably could have been more active sooner, but cautious is my way...

 

[TFBruce]

I am going to jump in here, and hopefully not "hijack" the intent of this thread...
I am one day from 9 weeks post-op. Generally, my strength/endurance is at least as good, if not better, than pre-surgery. I think my unrelenting cough-starting 3 weeks after sugery and still happening periodically, and my insistence on doing too much too soon (like moving and picking up heavy boxes) has kept me from healing as I think I should.
Do any of you other 8-9 week post-surgery folks have significant pain in/around the incision area? Especially with a hard cough and trying to roll over in bed? I mean it HURTS with certain movements!

 

[Lynlw]

I am going to jump in here, and hopefully not "hijack" the intent of this thread...
I am one day from 9 weeks post-op. Generally, my strength/endurance is at least as good, if not better, than pre-surgery. I think my unrelenting cough-starting 3 weeks after sugery and still happening periodically, and my insistence on doing too much too soon (like moving and picking up heavy boxes) has kept me from healing as I think I should.
Do any of you other 8-9 week post-surgery folks have significant pain in/around the incision area? Especially with a hard cough and trying to roll over in bed? I mean it HURTS with certain movements!

Have you called your doctor? also may I suggest starting a new thread with this, it might get more attention and not missed

 

[Lynlw]

Yes, in this situation you want to be especially boring...

My stats:
surgery Wed, home Sat.
1 week--showering without someone standing by (never needed help but showering was tiring)
3 weeks--cooking for 3 (someone had to get things down from shelves)
5 weeks--driving, short local trips
8 weeks--resumed walking two dogs for midday break
3 months--setback, pericardial effusion, another 3 days in CCU, another incision
4 months--back on track, started rehab
5 months--day hikes in Shenandoah
6 months--feeling great!

I never pushed, probably could have been more active sooner, but cautious is my way...

I try to convince Justin to be boring with his heart, but he sometimes tends to be an over achiever in the special dept too

 

[ccummins]

So I live alone and my Mom wants to come stay with me for like a month. Sounds a bit long. What do you think? Maybe 2 weeks?

 

[Taysgrama]

My mom was here for surgery, went home 3 days later cuz DH was with me in hospital. When I came home, mom came back for a week to help keep the house clean and cook and do laundry for me. Hubby went back to work when I came home. Went in on Friday for surgery, came home on Thursday. No major healing issues, started driving 4 weeks post op and went back to work part time the end of July (Surgery was May). I am still working part time now and am still really tired after 4 hours of work. But since I still have a leaking mitral valve, that may be what the reason is.

Diana (AVR and tricuspid repair-5/2008)

 

[DebbyA]

So I live alone and my Mom wants to come stay with me for like a month. Sounds a bit long. What do you think? Maybe 2 weeks?

If your mom is in good health and willing and able to amuse herself for a month while you're gaining strength, take the month. There are stalwart people on the forum who did it all alone, so it's possible. Nobody can predict how fast you will gain strength. Have you seen the lifting and movement restrictions for a sternotomy? Even though you'll probably be fine, most of us had some scary moments and uncomfortable moments after coming home post-surgery, and I'm glad I didn't have to face them alone.
Just my opinion.