Post Surgery
Here you will find important and useful information to help you become a more informed health care provider about the medical care you provide before, during and following surgical and diagnostic procedures. Experts in patient safety believe every patient benefits from knowing beforehand what to expect and being actively involved in their own care.
4CME is intended to provide general information only and is not intended to replace the advice of a medical professional. You should contact your personal physician, nurse, or other health professional if you have questions about any of these topics.
Experiences vary following surgery and are completely normal. Below is a list of experiences that have been shared with us by former heart surgery patients:
- Thinking: Forgetfulness and an inability to concentrate while reading, watching TV, etc.
o Reason: Effects of the heart-lung machine, stress, lack of sleep, narcotic pain medication.
o How long: This may last as long as six months following surgery.
o What you can do: write things down; rest between activities; take naps.
- Feelings: Mood swings; feelings of sadness, depression, frustration or anger.
o Reason: Hormonal changes, fatigue, stress, temporary activity restriction.
o How long: May last 2-3 months. If you continue to feel depressed after 3 months, call your health care provider.
o What you can do: Rest between activities; take naps; discuss your feelings with family and/or friends; get dressed every day.
- Fatigue: Having no or little energy, tiring easily and feeling weak.
o Reason: Lack of sleep, decreased level of activity, low blood count.
o How long: Usually feel a little better in about 3 weeks, then much better in 2-3 months.
o What you can do: Rest between activities, take naps, well-balanced meals, exercise.
- Vision Changes: May experience moving or non-moving spots or lines, flashes of light, blurred vision or floaters. They usually come and go.
o Reason: Effects of the heart-lung machine.
o How long: Usually improves in about one week. If no improvement, see an opthamologist, but it is best not to make changes in prescription glasses until after recovery time.
- Different Incision Sensations: Incision may be sensitive to even a light touch. You may even experience a shooting pain, numbness, tingling or burning to the right or left side of the chest incision, and/or near the leg incision, especially at the ankle. Some patients complain of numbness, tingling and weakness of the little finger and ring finger, going up the arm to the elbow. Muscular aches and pains in the neck, shoulders and back are also common.
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