Self care after CABG surgery

After-surgery appointments

It’s important to see your regular doctor after you leave the hospital. Some appointments will be made for you and others you may need to make from home. If the appointments are not already made, please make them. Your regular doctor needs to know that this appointment is for a check-up after surgery.

Prescribed medicines

Take your medicine on a routine schedule. If you miss a dose do not take twice as much the next time. Resume your schedule with the next dose.

Sleeping

You may have trouble sleeping for a while. Try these ideas to sleep better:

Shorten your daytime naps as you recover.
Use relaxation activities before you go to bed, such as reading, listening to music or having a light snack.
Ask your pharmacist or physician for the name of an over-the-counter sleep product.
Alternate narcotic pain medications with Tylenol® during the day.

Constipation

Eat more fruits, vegetables and foods high in fiber. Try prune juice as well. Check with your pharmacist for a mild over-the-counter laxative or supplement.

Bathing

Shower every day with any mild antibacterial, non-perfumed soap. Turn your back on the spray of the water. A tub bath is not recommended until your incision are completely healed and no scabs are present, usually about two to four weeks.

Lifting restrictions

The 10 pound lifting restriction varies. In general, most doctors restrict you for four weeks to three months. Ask your doctor to recommend what’s right for you.

Climbing stairs

You may climb stairs, unless you have other orthopedic limitations. However, during your first 2 weeks after you leave the hospital, limit the number of times you climb the stairs each day.

Driving

Check with your surgeon for instructions on when you can drive. It will depend on how quickly your breast bone (sternum) is healing. Do not drive until you are no longer taking a prescription pain medicine and when your incision is comfortable enough to let you step on the brake quickly.

Resuming sexual activity

You can become sexually active again as soon as you are comfortable enough to tolerate activity equal to climbing one to two flights of stairs. There is no danger to your heart. During sexual activity, do not assume a position which bears weight on your arms, which causes pressure to your sternum.

Notify your doctor if you have any of these symptoms:

a rapid heart rate or shortness of breath that lasts more than four or five minutes after intercourse
chest pain during or after intercourse
feelings of extreme fatigue the next day

Walking

You may walk outside if the weather is good and sidewalks are in good condition. Until you feel comfortable, it is a good idea to have someone go with you for the first few weeks.

Bicycling

You should not ride outside for six to eight weeks. A stationary bike without arm components is acceptable.

How to know when you're doing too much

As you exercise, try to be aware of your body's response. Signs that you are doing too much may include:

dizziness or lightheadedness
nausea and vomiting
breaking out in a cold sweat
having shortness of breath, that makes conversation difficult
feeling extremely exhausted or unusually fatigued
feeling that your heart is suddenly racing or pounding
feeling pain or pressure in your chest, teeth, arm, jaw, ear, neck or between your shoulder blades

Activities to avoid

Check with your surgeon for when you may resume these activities: driving, golf, swimming, tennis and other racquet sports, softball and baseball, chopping wood, shoveling snow, mowing the lawn, vacuuming and raking or hoeing.

Increasing activity

Begin with shorter, more frequent walks. Use shortness of breath as a guide, being sure you can walk and talk at the same time. Gradually increase the length of time you walk, and cut back on frequency. Maintain a level of activity for three to four days, being sure you are not short of breath or extremely fatigued the next day. Then increase your activity level. Follow your individual plan from your cardiac rehabilitation therapist.

Diet

During the first month after your surgery, it is most important to eat a balanced diet with good nutrition to help your healing and general recovery. Give yourself a variety of healthy choices. Eat frequent small meals and nutritious snacks, if you can’t manage a large meal. Your appetite will gradually improve after recovery. After a month, concentrate on changing your dietary habits to ensure a heart healthy diet.

Attending outpatient cardiac rehab

If cardiac rehabilitation has been ordered, you will start about seven to 10 days after you return home from the hospital. Someone from your local outpatient cardiac rehabilitation program will call you to set up your initial visit. If you don’t receive a call, please call the phone number you receive before you leave the hospital.