Heart Bypass Surgery Recovery Time For Patients Following Cardiac Surgery
Today’s post is all about heart surgery recovery. However, it applies directly to heart bypass surgery recovery time for patients experiencing open-heart surgery for procedures including heart valve surgery.
As a former, heart bypass surgery patient (I had two heart valves replaced), this is a topic I really, really like to talk about with patients and caregivers. In fact, I have two chapters dedicated to heart bypass surgery recovery time in my book.
“Why the fascination?” you wonder.
Well. For me, it comes from an altruistic place of support and care (even though we don’t know each other).
In my opinion, the open heart surgery recovery time is filled with lurking pitfalls and hidden challenges for BOTH THE PATIENT AND CAREGIVER.
Unfortunately, I and many members of my support group (friends, family, co-workers), experienced these pitfalls and challenges.
That is why I am very careful when I respond to the question of, “How long will it take me to recover from cardiac bypass surgery?”
I am careful to respond to that question because recovery from any invasive procedure is personal. There are some people that will recovery in 4 weeks. There are other people that will recover in 12 weeks. And, there are some people that will recover in 1.5 years.
Taking this point one step further, simply defining what “recovery” means is different for everyone.
Can I ask you, “What does recovery truly mean?”
For some, it means the point at which they can return to work. For others, heart bypass surgery recovery may be the point they can drive their car. For me, I felt my recovery was complete when I surfed for the first time after my aortic and pulmonary valve replacements. FYI - That was 435 days after my operation.
435 Days After Open Heart Surgery… I Surf Again!
Finally, there is another element to heart bypass surgery recovery time that must be considered. That is the mental element of recovery. In addition to the physical challenges of recovery, some patients are dramatically impacted in their thought patterns relative to life after open heart surgery. As of late, many medical professionals are now starting to pay much more attention to the mental elements of heart bypass surgery recovery. So you know, to help accelerate my heart bypass surgery recovery time, I saw a therapist for several weeks.
I hope that sheds some light on “heart bypass surgery recovery time”.
Keep on tickin,
Adam
Adam Pick is the author of The Patient’s Guide To Heart Valve Surgery, a unique book which integrates the clinical facts of heart valve surgery with the personal experiences of an actual heart valve surgery patient. This special book was designed to minimize stress and enhance the patient’s recovery. To learn more about Adam’s heart valve surgery book, click here.
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July 18th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
Hello. I’ve just returned home today from heart bypass surgery and am looking for a forum or information site for advice and experience that I can use to get back to full functioning.
October 1st, 2008 at 9:48 am
He is still on ventalator after 2 days. will this affect his recovery?
April 17th, 2009 at 6:54 am
My mom is having bypass surgery in a couple of week and I don’t live near her. How long after the hospital stay can she be left alone during the day to take care of herself or should I put her into a rehab facility?
May 31st, 2009 at 8:24 am
I was on the ventalator for 2 days after surgery as well, there were two reasons for this, 1= my size, I am a large man, 2= I smoked a long time prior to having my bypass done. They want to be absolutely sure you can breath on your own before they remove thhat tube
July 12th, 2009 at 5:25 pm
My aunt is about to have double by pass and her health isn’t that good to begin with. I am afraid she may not make it however I am trying to remain strong for the family. Any ideas or suggestions?
August 10th, 2009 at 8:44 am
Just had mine 8/3/09, why the cold sweats all of the time?
August 12th, 2009 at 2:00 pm
My step-son just had a double bypass surgery at 14 years old. Where can I find information on recovery for teenagers? Most of the information out there is for adults.
October 12th, 2009 at 1:46 pm
My mother who had a bypass and valve repair (she’s 76) She never smoked and was otherwise healthy has been on the breathing tube for 6 days now - she has a slight temperature and had had some renal failure - they say she is turning around and getting better VERY slowly….Am I loosing her?? I feel they dont have answers for me….(daughter)