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DJ-Rae09 said:

I just recently had AVR and I don't even remember the breathing tube being in or being taken out. I must of been still out of it.
In my experience ICU wasn't that bad at all, minimal pain but obviously on medication to help.
The worst part was when they took the drainage tubes and catheter out, that I remember but it was over quick.

Good luck with your surgery.

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Thanks. Rescheduled for Friday. When they remove the drainage tubes do the put stitches in or just tape it up or something?

This month is my 11 year anniversary. After surgery you most likely will have a nurse stationed in the hall just outside your room. I did wake up with the the breathing tube, just remember to breathe with it. As soon as I woke up they put me under and remove my breathing tube. Two days before surgery I treated myself to a massage. The worst thing for me after surgery was getting constipated. Yes I had back pain after surgery and in the hospital they gave me a heating pad that circulated the water. My drainage tubes did not hurt when they removed them. I thing I hated most about being in the hospital was the repeated blood work and blood draws from finger tips. Seven months after surgery I travelled to Europe for cruise. On my flight back to the states I sat next to someone who was paralyzed from the waist down. It did hurt trying to get around her to go to the bathroom. Seeing her situation made me have no feeling sorry for myself. Also my little friend at only two years old had 3 open heart surgeries.

svAdagioME said:

Thanks. Rescheduled for Friday. When they remove the drainage tubes do the put stitches in or just tape it up or something?

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I can't actually remember.
I was scared to look down there lol.
They put a single large bandage to cover them and that stayed on for a week before they put new ones on. All up they were on for about 2 weeks.

Best of luck tomorrow!

Rebecca said:

thing I hated most about being in the hospital was the repeated blood work and blood draws

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yes me too. I also had daily heparin shots twice every day along with the multiple blood draws :/

When they removed my drain tubes the stitching was around the tube. They pulled the tube out and slid off the stitching and ties it. one came out on day 3 and the second came out on day 5. It doesn't hurt when they pull them out but if feels very strange lol.

My chest incision was glued with maybe dissolvable stitches in inner skin. I also had the tape strips along chest incision. When my drainage tubes were removed I think I had glue and tape strip. No stitches. Best of luck with your upcoming surgery. Just remember you will be feeling better by Thanksgiving and fantastic by Christmas.

svAdagioME said:

Thanks. Rescheduled for Friday. When they remove the drainage tubes do the put stitches in or just tape it up or something?

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They pre-install sutures around the tubes when inserted. When the tubes are removed, they pull that suture real tight to close the hole. That is the part that hurts. You are wide awake and I was told to press the pain button a couple times prior to tube removal. It is quick though. I had 4 drain tubes.
Heart wires are similar removal technique.
Good luck!

70sdiver said:

When they removed my drain tubes the stitching was around the tube. They pulled the tube out and slid off the stitching and ties it. one came out on day 3 and the second came out on day 5. It doesn't hurt when they pull them out but if feels very strange lol.

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it does but that feeling goes away within 24 hours. We here that had bypass and the newer surgeries, have had the experience. Keep hanging in there and do not stress over recover, take your time.