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We're excited to be exhibiting at the Society of Thoracic Surgeons 51st Annual Meeting in San Diego, California. Ready to see how Heart Hugger can help your patients recover faster from thoracic surgery? Have questions about how to use or order Heart Hugger? Maybe you've heard that Heart Hugger and the Surgi Support Vest has helped patients become more mobile and compliant with their therapy after surgery?

If you are considering a postoperative sternal support device to aid in the recovery of an upcoming cardiac surgery, then you certainly have a few options to choose from. When it comes to cardiac surgery rehabilitation, a device that keeps your sternal wound stable while you cough, move, or sneeze can really help in preventing wound dehiscence and other complications. One of the best devices to aid in this is the Heart Hugger device, designed to keep a patient comfortable during his or her recovery from heart surgery.

When we talk in terms of postoperative sternal support, we, of course, need to include women in the conversation. Cardiac surgery can be a necessity for everyone, and that means that everyone who undergoes a cardiac procedure will need to practice good habits during cardiac surgery rehabilitation. The problem with having a regular Heart Hugger for women is the fact that it does not take into account some of the anatomical features of women. For this reason, we provide the Surgi Support Vest that is designed specifically for women recovering from a cardiac procedure.

Heart Hugger has been providing sternum support for cardiac and thoracic surgery patients for over twenty years. Because of this amazing invention, the success rates of postoperative success have risen exponentially. Testimonials all over the nation are giving their input on how Heart Hugger benefited them with their recovery.

So what how was this wonderful creation invented? The questions of who, what, where, when and why are answered below:

The midline sternotomy made its entrance into the clinical world, but not without complications. Sternal infection was on the rise. Sternal dehiscence was treated with open drainage and debridement with packing. Results included complications like graft exposure, desiccation of wound margins, osteomyelitis, and death. In 1963, Shucker and Mandelbaum introduced closed management with catheter-antibiotic irrigation. Survival rates increased, but they were still pretty slim. With the mortality risks, there was great desire to discover better wound care.

Changes in Management

First of all, sternal instability was causing mediastinal infections of the wounds. The surgeon must take the time to use the meticulous technique when doing a sternotomy. Proper placement reduces the risks of mediastinitis.

Do you remember the first time you saw a diagram of a real human heart? The sight was probably shocking, considering most of us spend our young childhood years imagining a heart as a simple, rounded shape that exchanges medical accuracy for endearing charm. Your viewpoint of the heart was changing, and suddenly, your own heart seemed alien and extraordinary. After cardiac surgery, the same thing is happening--your viewpoint of your own heart is changing once again. As a result, it can often be a great comfort to simply know what to expect after heart surgery.

Whether by devouring a book with a passionate eye for plot, rushing out of a movie theater to write a review for some lackluster storyline, or simply enjoying a favorite family narrative, we have all found it to be true: every tale has a beginning, a middle, and an end. Of course, books and movies aren't the only things to experience this uniformity--we see the same pattern in life. One such example lies in undertaking the journey that is heart surgery. Heart patients endure the beginning of the tale, the surgery itself, and then the middle, the healing process, and finally, the end--the recovery. Today, like any good writer, medical science has started to focus on that middle section, finding ways to minimize complications so that the story itself is smoother--and sternum stabilization is just one revolutionary answer.

There are a lot of tips associated with the recovery of a patient after heart surgery. Most people do not think that one’s diet plays a role. This would be a wrong assumption. Your dietary habits are actually essential to this process. In fact, adopting good habits can help you to avoid future problems with your heart. Healthy eating is a good technique to encourage the healing process after heart procedures.

Patients who have had dietary problems or suffer from obesity may have problems in this area. In these cases, doctors provide instructions for what foods are best for your diet. Many patients find it difficult to get back to a regular eating schedule. Some even say that their appetites are gone. Smaller and frequent meals are often the best option for these patients. You should keep dietary habits that will benefit overall health and become a lifestyle change.

More Fruits and Veggies

The healing process after surgery can be quite long, depending on what procedure was done. You probably know the importance of wound care after surgery. But did you know that what you eat can affect your recovery as well? Nutritious food is incredibly important after surgery. So if you've recently had surgery, consider eating these five foods to help speed up your recovery.

High Fiber Foods
During your recovery, it's important that you include fiber into your diet. Fiber foods aren't just healthy, they play a major role in preventing constipation. You can find fiber in natural foods such as whole grain breads, fruits, vegetables, and cereals. You can eat both fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables, but stay away from anything canned. When buying whole grain bread, look for breads that are darker in color. If you opt for cereal, look for cereals that are low in sugar and easy to eat, like oatmeal.

Many people complain of having trouble sleeping for some time after heart surgery. You may experience an inability to sleep because of: