Patrick's Journal

I'm new to the website and very grateful to Adam creating it! I have looked around and searched the website and I can't find info on my specific circumstances so I'm looking for some direction from anyone. I had SAVR with aortic aneurysm repair and sternal wires were used to help the sternum heal after a median sternotomy. 2 1/2 months after surgery, I started a cardio rehab exercise program. 3 months after surgery, I started resuming many normal daily activities which include lifting and some other semi-strenuous activities. Almost 6 months after surgery and a fair amount of daily pain, a CT showed that sternum joining is not occurring. Doctor asked me to go back on post-surgery restrictions for 6 weeks at which point I could get a repair involving plates if joining did not occur. Here are some questions... 1a) I'm 56 and relatively healthy (heart issues resulting from a congenital issue). Can sternum joining occur six months after surgery if I simply stop lifting things and twisting? I haven't stopped breathing, coughing, sneezing, or even walking (all things that can lead to some chest movement). 1b) Can sternum joining really occur so long after surgery? I'm inclined to just ask the surgeon to put in plates now but before I make any rash decisions, I would like to research this a bit more. However, I can't find any info on adding plates long after surgery and the pro's and con's of this approach. Thank you.