Anders's Posts

- Prehab: after ok'ing it with your doctor, start working on leg/core strength, putting on muscle (which you will lose when you are less active), and maximizing your endurance. This could be on your own or, ideally, with a trainer. I essentially told the guy I worked with to prepare me for a car crash. - talk to a counselor or someone outside your family or social circle. Do it before the surgery and come up with a plan for follow up. My therapist was lined up to do phone visits (I was out of state). - get a recliner and a wedge. I didn't use my recliner like I expected but I'm glad I had it. The wedge is a great tool as well and pretty cheap on Amazon. Mine was memory foam and I keep using it although I don't need it. - if you have family members who are medical providers (nursing, physician) who can be there in the first couple of days, do it. I know this is unlikely for most but it was greatly helpful in so many ways (keeping track of what each doc was saying, advocacy). - whatever care giver you have, they should keep a journal. Write down who came in, what they said, and anything else that needs follow up. This journal then morphed into our med log once I was discharged. - heating pad for sternum was very comforting, as were ice packs. That said, I had no discomfort with things touching my incision. I understand many people do.