What You Need to Know About Heart Surgery Aftercare

Heart surgery is a major treatment performed by a skilled heart surgeon. Whenever one gets to know that one needs a heart surgery, family and friends start looking for the best heart surgeon. But along with the a qualified surgeon, though must know about the success of any heart surgery depends upon the candidate's own effort to take care of the treated area and overall health after the surgery.     

Dr. Sujay Shad is a senior cardiac surgeon in India. He is renowned and highly preferred for open heart surgery in Delhi. By taking insights from the doctor, this article is going to detail about the post operative care of the heart surgery. So you are advised to go through this post carefully and learn about the heart surgery after care.  Heart surgery is a medical procedure. It is a major surgical procedure performed by a heart surgeon in several cases. These cases usually include Coronary Bypass surgery, valve repair and replacement, heart transplant, and many more.

Depending upon  the heart problem and procedure, a heart surgery may last for more than 1-2 hours. And, after the procedure the patient needs to stay in the hospital under observation of the surgeon. This period may  last for 3 to 5 days and once the improvement in the body and treated area is observed, candidates can take discharge from the hospital and be advised to stay at home. During this post-operative phase, the candidate is advised to follow certain guidelines. Some of them are as follows:

1. Incision Care while taking Bath

During the initial phase of recovery, the candidate may be prohibited from taking baths. This is because of the incisions and the chance of pus filling. But, in certain cases, the doctor approves it.

Few days after the surgery, itch or feel sore, tight or numb may appear around incisions. This is normal and does not require specific medical attention. A common reason for itch, soreness around the stitches may be the dryness of the skin. For this:

• One can take warm water to shower.
• Clean the incisions gently.
• Dry the incisions.
• Avoid applying cosmetic lotion or powder on the treated area.

Incision Care

• Skin seals in 24–48 hours after surgery.
• Candidates may feel discomfort, tightness, or numbness for weeks. Bruising along the incision is common.
• Avoid the Sunlight for a time being as suggested by the surgeon
• Chest tube drainage: Fluid may flow from chest tubes in the week after surgery. Apply sterile bandages to affected areas. Call the cardiac surgeon's office if you need to change bandages more than once daily.

Potential Infection Signs

• uneven, expanding redness
• swelling/tenderness surrounding the incision
• Raging with Unpleasant fragrance and anguish
• A grinding or clicking sensation
• High fever that is unable to go down from 101.

2. Weight Management

Track the weight daily. Gaining weight quickly may suggest a weak heart. If you gain more than 2-3 pounds per day or 3-5 pounds per week, see a cardiologist.

3. Temperature

You should take your temperature in the morning, afternoon, and nighttime if you feel hot or cold.

4. Diet and Nutrition

After surgery, you may lose your appetite or be too tired to eat. This happens often, but you must eat to recover and strengthen. You should do the following: 

• Eat a balanced meal and drink enough water to restore your bowel regularity. Use laxatives sparingly unless your doctor advises you. Use prune juice or other natural therapies.
• If your doctor prescribes a special diet, you will receive written instructions to follow at home.
• Try different foods. Consider eating multiple smaller meals throughout the day instead of three large ones.
• Avoid unnecessary fat, cholesterol, and saturated fat.
• Eat enough carbs and fibre.
• Don't overeat salt or sodium.
• Avoid sugar overdose.
• Consult the cardiac doctor for the optimal weight and maintain it.

5. Medication

• Your doctor advised you to take all prescribed medications.
• Never change your prescription dosage without medical advice.
• Iron supplementation can cause constipation and black stools.

6. Pain Management

If the  doctor has prescribed a pain relieving medicine then take it. It will provide you relief from the pain during the post operative care and make the phase easier. 

7. Walk Management

• Walking is the best heart surgery recovery activity. Consult your doctor before starting a more intense fitness routine like biking or swimming.
• Start a walking regimen at a convenient time and stick to it. Let your arms hang at your sides while you walk slowly on level ground. Choose comfortable walking shoes and dress for the weather.
• Do not exercise for 1-1/2 hours after eating, and avoid outside walks in bad weather. In poor weather, walk inside a mall or health club with an indoor track or treadmill.
• Stop immediately if you feel fatigued, breathless, or dizzy and shorten your stroll the next day. If you get symptoms like your prior angina, such as headaches, nausea, vomiting, arm, ear, jaw, or tooth pain, call your doctor immediately. You should also cease walking until your doctor approves.

8. Driving

• Avoid breastbone injury by not driving until your doctor gives the all-clear three to five weeks after surgery.
• Wear a seatbelt and shoulder protection while driving.

9. Exercise Bicycles

Check with a surgeon or cardiologist before exercising.

10. Elevating

Even small objects may be hard to lift after leaving the hospital without straining your chest. Here are some tips for easier lifting:

• Avoid lifting heavy items like shopping bags, moist clothes, or luggage.
• Draw small items near and use both hands to lift them off a table or countertop.
• Use your body weight to push grocery carts, vacuum cleaners, and heavy doors. Avoid these activities when you first get home.
• Avoid bending and straining to reach high locations with a step stool.
• Kneel instead of waist when lifting something.

11. Depression

Depression recovery may affect you in many ways:

• Hunger. Eat too little or too much.
• Rest. You sleep poorly or oversleep.
• Feelings. You can cry without reason.

Accept that depression and wrath may occur. Communicate with loved ones about your feelings. Maintaining a daily schedule also helps. This will boost your strength and speed healing. For example: Aim for 6-8 hours of sleep per night. Go to bed at the same hour every night.

Summarised Tips

• Try to wake up and shower at the same time every day.
• Track your weight daily.
• Feeling warm or cold? Check your temperature.
• Put on your daytime clothes. This will motivate you to exercise.
• Eat breakfast.
• Use your prescription.
• Schedule to avoid weariness.
• Follow your physical therapist's walking plan.

12. Sexual Activity

Thousands of heart patients have found that heart sickness, a heart attack, a stroke, or surgery do not end sexual life. After the initial healing stage, patients find that their old love relationships still work.

Sex after heart disease is full of myths. Having intercourse again often causes a heart attack, stroke, or sudden death. Not true. Heart patients can resume sexual activity when they're ready. Consult your doctor if worried.

General depression and performance anxiety diminish sexual interest and capacity. After recovery, heart patients may be depressed. Depression is prevalent and resolves in 85% of instances after three months. But it often exaggerates past sexual troubles between spouses.

• After consulting your doctor, you can resume intercourse.
• The patient should be placed in the bottom position or utilised side by side until their sternum heals fully, which should take 6 weeks.
• Choose a time when you're relaxed and unburdened by the day's events.
• After eating, give your body an hour or three to digest.
• Choose a quiet, familiar, and interruption-free place.

13. Other Goals

You can achieve more as you get stronger. Limit activities to one hour initially. Activities include:

• Arts and crafts, painting, and knitting.
• Table or card games
• Walking with pals; cinema, shopping or sports

Things to avoid:

• Swimming 
• Golf is a tough activity.
• Move Carefully!
• Sitting to standing or vice versa too quickly might cause dizziness.
• Nap whenever you're tired.

To know more, or to get a personalised recovery plan, one can book an appointment with Dr. Sujay Shad. He is a leading heart surgery doctor in India. He practises at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital and provides heart treatments for coronary artery bypass, mitral valve repair and heart transplant with highest success rate. To get the benefits and a speedy recovery, book a consultation with Dr. Sujay Shad.