Open heart surgery tips?

Hi Friends:-)

I was wondering if any of you ladies out there that have had to have open heart surgery for one reason or another might be able to offer some tips. What type of shirt did you find to be the most comfortable during recovery? I assume bras were out of the question for a good while but was curious to hear what others experiences were like.

I know, of all the things to be worried about I am worrying about undergarments!

Any other tips that may help recovery go a little more smoothly?

Thanks!!

Bryna

8 Comments

I remember

by Beckes76 - 2010-08-11 02:08:35

I had open heart surgery when I was 7 and it wasn't fun. That is when they also put a PM in too. I had a double whammy and two surgeries back to back. I know I couldn't climb stairs that easily so my parents moved my top mattress to their bedroom for awhile. Luckily it was at the end of the summer and almost time for school. I just took it easy for the following few months. I hope you heal fast and take it easy.

Becky

Well

by walkerd - 2010-08-11 08:08:16

do what the docs tell you to do. Do your excersises like the walking start short walk, keep working up, nice walks. dont wear a bra so cant answer that one. I wore loose white tshirts, had help for the first couple of weeks after I got home to do some of these chores of dressing. Type messeges on here and get things out of your system, trust me it helps because there are thoughts in your brain and dont keep them inside. Good luck

dave

bra

by tnbabe59 - 2010-08-11 09:08:51

You might be able to wear a loose sport bra. Another thought is a camisole (spelling?) for women after a mastectomy. My husband has had two by-passes and a heart transplant and never complained about his incision bothering him but then again he never had to wear a bra either....lol. Good Luck and God Bless

My wife has a suggestion

by Edouard - 2010-08-11 11:08:00

My wife likes to read the comments in this forum. Since I am the forum member, she asked me to transmit her comments to you. She's had a mitral valve repair done about 5 years ago and joined a forum on that subject at www.valvereplacement.org. She tells me that there are constantly women raising the issue of post-operative clothing at that site. You might want to have a look.
Edouard

Thanks!

by BrynaR - 2010-08-11 11:08:31

Thank you, everyone, for the tips. Edouard, please that your wife for me as well, I will certainly check out that website.

I am a stay at home mom, so the recovery time is going to be even more difficult since my 20 month old son won't understand why mommy can't pick him up or hold him. I know the weight restrictions can last up to 3 or 4 months! There are just so many other little things like that (and worrying about bras, ha) that I feel like I need to have answers to or know what is going to happen before I have surgery. That probably does not make sense... I guess I am worrying about those little things so I don't focus on the actual surgery!

Thanks for letting me vent it all out!

Tips???

by Skyking - 2010-08-11 12:08:05

I dunno know about tips Bryna, it is a necessary but no fun experience mostly because of the time involved for the recovery, but you MUST remain positive, you will be BETTER and STRONGER in a few months.

1. button down front shirts
2. stretchy gym gym type shorts or sweats
3. get used to sleeping on your back for a few weeks
4. EXPECT bouts of depression from the general anesthesia for about 3 weeks (maybe more) it is NORMAL

Keep in contact with your friend network. Think about how things are going to be, not how they are right now.

Good luck, you'll do fine

;)

venting is good

by qwerty - 2010-08-11 12:08:23

Most of us on this board have "vented" or "whined" at one time or another. It is very theraputic and you need to remember we are here when you need to vent, or ask questions.
As for obsessing over the bra.... Mine was hair. I just couldn't figure out how to comb and fix my hair. I only had 3 days between finding out I was getting a PM and the surgery, but I dreamed about my hair 2 of those nights. We all have the things we focus on that are really silly. But like you said it keeps our mind off what is going on.
Hug that baby good before you go and enjoy all the kisses when you come home. He is young, but he will understand and he will be your biggest helper.
Hang in there, and welcome to the PM Board

My Mom had open heart surgery

by cruz - 2010-08-11 12:08:37

I haven't had open heart surgery yet, but the mitral valve thing may change that for me in October when they make a decision. My Mom had open heart surgery and wasn't able to wear a bra for a while. She wore loose cut, button down the front blouses after a couple of weeks of a button down the front nightgown and a robe. She was warned and I'm sure you will be that you can't pick up things or pull at things (such as your little one). My Dad was ill at the time and we later found she had been pulling and helping him. It really delayed her recovery of the healing of the chest. Please make sure someone is ALWAYS there to pick up the little one). She ask about the hair too. Such a dilemma for us ladies. I did the same before the PM. I used it as a good excuse to get a brand new short hairsytle. It helped tremendously and I fell in love with the short "do" so I still keep it with the same cut.

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