thanks Andy.....hopefully Gil will see this and comment........i did mention the clicking but after examining me and palpating my chest ...the doctor said all looked and felt ok...and it had looked ok on the Xrays..mike
Michael,
I may not be typical as regards to the sternum closure.
I am not sure if i also have sternum wire closure (probably do), but I do know that i have bone cement/Kryptonite glue and to my knowledge i may be the only member on VR.org with this feature for sternum closure.
From what i can tell, i have been blessed with an easy recovery from OHS, maybe abnormally rapid recovery....the Kryptonite glue may have been a heavy contributor, by allowing me good movement very quickly.
I have been solid on the sternum from within days of surgery and have never felt any bone movement. In the early days I believe any discomfort I had, was tissue healing. Bone healing was probably done by the time i was out of ICU at less than 24 hours post surgery.
Because bone was likely quickly healed, i required little pain meds, from day 3 on, as was likely only dealing with tissue healing, which i called discomfort, no real pain to speak of from day 3 on.
Sleeping on side or stomach has been possible since about week 4.
I refrained from doing heavy lifting initially, but heavy doors were never an issue and have been lifting watering cans, probably 20-25 lbs each...for mny weeks already carefully at first, but it was a non issue.
Cardiologist had told me before surgery to expect 50% sternum solidity at 6 weeks and 100% at 12 weeks, if no sternum cement.
Gil
