Heart Surgery

Summary

In this video patients learn how to take an active role in the recovery process. It shows patients what to expect during their hospital stay, after they leave the ICU. It explains that there are goals patients need to reach before being discharged from the hospital, and the kinds of activities they will be doing to reach those goals. The video also covers pain management and the emotions patients may go through.

Details

Introduction

This program will show you what you can expect, after you leave the Intensive Care Unit and before you are discharged.

The Next Phase Of Your Recovery

• This phase of your recovery is much more active.
• You and your healthcare team will set goals:
  • You will need to achieve these before leaving the hospital.
  • One goal will be increasing your activity level , so you'll feel confident in handling many of your regular, daily activities.
• Expectations:
  • Ask questions when you do not understand something.
  • Ask for assistance when you need it.
  • Your health care team will work with you to increase the amount of activity.
  • Stay positive.
  • Put forth your best efforts.
  • Your healthcare team will not ask you to do anything they do not feel you are capable of doing.

Moving Into Activity

• You are encouraged to get out of bed whenever possible:
  • To eat your meals.
  • To use the bathroom.
  • To walk the hallways with assistance.
• Activities:
  • Getting Up:
    • Avoid putting pressure on your breastbone while it heals.
    • Have someone help you when you get out of bed.
    • Do not use your arms for assistance.
    • Roll onto your side and use your legs and elbows to push yourself up.
  • Sitting:
    • You will feel better seated in a chair with a firm back instead of sitting on the side of the bed.
    • Placing a pillow under your arms helps prevent your shoulders from drooping.
    • Do not cross your legs when you sit because it puts pressure on the veins under your knees.
    • Support stockings may be ordered to help improve circulation and reduce swelling in the legs.
  • Walking:
    • You will begin walking in your room.
    • Wear slippers that fit well and have non-skid soles.
    • Take short steps and rest when necessary.
    • Try not to slump.
  • Physical Exercises:
    • Your healthcare team will teach you specific exercises to help strengthen your legs and upper body.
    • You may perform these exercises several times a day.
    • As you become more active, these structured exercises may be phased out.
  • Breathing Exercises:
    • Controlled coughing
    • Spirometry
  • Cardiac rehabilitation:
    • Counseling
    • Exercise

Pain Management

• Pain and discomfort after surgery is normal:
  • A sore throat following the removal of your breathing tube.
  • Soreness caused by increased activity.
  • Discomfort in the incision areas in your chest, legs, or arms:
    • May feel tight, sore, or numb, and may look bruised or slightly red in color.
    • It will take about six to eight weeks for these areas to heal completely.
• Managing your pain:
  • By actively working with your healthcare team, you will feel better, which may lead to a quicker recovery.
    • Listen and communicate with your healthcare team.
    • Let them know right away when you feel pain and discomfort.
    • Be as specific as possible when describing the pain you feel.
  • Relieving pain:
    • Some pain will gradually go away as you become more active.
    • Medications, which may be given to you orally, or through an IV.
    • Changing positions often, elevating swollen legs, and practicing relaxation techniques.

Coping With Emotions

• Feelings of depression or sadness may be caused by:
  • Lack of sleep
  • Medications
  • Change in routine
  • Stress of surgery
• Other emotions:
  • Irritability
  • Anxiety
  • Loss of memory
  • Lack of concentration
  • Unusual dreams
  • Over time, these feeling should go away
• Relaxation Techniques:
  • Examples:
    • Deep, Controlled Breathing
    • Mental Imagery
  • Relaxation exercises make it easier and often less painful to get out of bed and walk.
  • Relaxation exercises help you sleep more soundly.

Discharge

• There is no set time for discharge:
  • Most patients remain in the hospital four to five days but some may stay a week or longer.
  • The length of your stay will depend on your progress.
• You will be discharged when you have reached the goals you and your healthcare team discussed.
• Individual discharge instructions will be provided by your health care team.

Conclusion

Following surgery and your stay in the ICU, there is still more you will need to do before you leaving the hospital. Actively working with your healthcare team during that time can aid in your recovery, and help you move more quickly towards discharge.