It's important to be patient during your heart surgery recovery period, allowing yourself ample time to recover. From replenishing your blood supply to regaining your pre-surgery strength and endurance, your body has a big job ahead. Expecting too much too soon can put unnecessary strain on your body and even lengthen your heart surgery recovery period.
Like many others who've gone through heart surgery, you may experience some feelings of sadness or depression. Your feelings may range from sadness and anger to guilt, loneliness, confusion, or stress. While these feelings are common, it's important to guard your emotional health after surgery.
Your emotional health after surgery can have an impact on your recovery. Feelings of isolation and sadness can also affect your future health.
Here are some signs that it's time to ask for a little help:
How much and what kind of exercise you can enjoy after heart surgery depends on how you're feeling and what your doctor feels is safe for you. Everyone is different, and the exercise your physician says is okay for you after heart surgery may not be the same as recommendations you've read online or heard from a friend. Here are a few tips for making sure the activities you participate in after heart surgery are safe for you.
After heart surgery, it's natural to wonder about your post-surgery life. How soon can you expect to feel like yourself again? When will you be able to resume your normal activities? While the answers to these and other questions vary widely between individuals, there are steps patients can take after heart surgery to shorten recovery time and get back to everyday activities.
Here are some steps your doctor may recommend to improve your odds of successful recovery after heart surgery.
One of the most important goals of patients and healthcare providers after surgery is avoiding postoperative complications. After heart surgery, this goal is especially critical given the nature of the operation and recovery and because up to half of patients have a high risk of complications.
Postoperative complications can be costly, so patients and surgeons alike look for any and all tools to prevent them. One device that is non-invasive and proven to be effective is sternum support harnesses such as Heart Hugger.
Here’s a look at a few of the key ways Heart Hugger reduces complications.
After surgery, pain management becomes a priority, and prescription medications like opioids are typically the first line of defense. For many, the idea of using opioids is concerning -- after all, we constantly hear all the terrible stories about the opioid crisis. While some medication is necessary in most cases, there are several other alternatives for pain management. Always talk to your doctor about your plans for pain management. Here are some of the best options to consider.
Heart Hugger is a sternal harness that lets patients heal from heart surgery. It offers wound stability and sternal support in addition to on-demand pain management during recovery at home. The Heart Hugger can help reduce complications and reliance on pain medication.
There is an ongoing discussion about how to best address the needs of patients who are recovering from heart surgery. With new technology, new medications, and continual anecdotal support for certain techniques, it’s no surprise that in our digital age there is a demand for more options and more evidence.
One type of post-op recovery support available is the Heart Hugger, a patient-operated harness that helps with pain management in addition to wound stability and sternal support.
It’s a good idea to start making a recovery plan for your heart surgery as far in advance as possible. This gives you the opportunity to make sure everything is planned for – from finances to help at home to pain management. Here are some of the things you’ll want to cover on your plan.
As you prepare for surgery, one of the first areas to cover is your hospital stay. This is one of the most comprehensive checklists to cover, but here are some of the key items:
If you are a medical professional, you are always looking for ways to improve the quality of your patients’ lives. One area that can be particularly beneficial for patients is recovery after surgery, and Heart Hugger can help.
After surgery, your patient will have Heart Hugger put on them by a nurse, and it will stay on during the recovery process. Prior to surgery the patient should have been fitted and sized so everything is ready. The patient retains control of the harness and can use the handles to adjust pressure.
Heart Hugger works for the patient throughout recovery and facilitates an additional means of pain management. The overall process also helps patients feel in control of their comfort, aiding further in the ability to recover smoothly.
Having surgery can be stressful, but planning out all the details ahead of time can help ease some worry because you’ll know exactly what to expect. Focus on each segment of the surgery – before, during, and after – so that you and your loved ones are as prepared as possible.
This guide will cover how to prepare for your time at home after the surgery.
Before surgery, be sure to buy your Heart Hugger so that your nurses can put it on you right after surgery. This will then prepare you for using it at home.
It’s a good idea to consider home mobility for after the surgery. For example, are there stairs or other things that can limit your movement? If you have an upstairs bedroom, move or rent a bed for downstairs use.
