After Cardiac Surgery

Breathing Tube

When you first wake up after your heart surgery, a breathing tube will still be in your throat. Your lungs need help until the anesthesia has completely worn off.

You won’t be able to speak while the breathing tube is in place. However, our nurses are very skilled at communicating to find out what you need.

After a member of your care team removes the breathing tube, you will be a little hoarse and may have a sore throat. This is normal.

Heart Monitor, IV Lines and Tubes

Here’s what to expect:

• In the CVICU, you’ll be connected to a monitor that shows your heart rate and rhythm.
• The IV lines put in before your surgery still will be in place.
• A large IV line in your neck allows the nurses to give you medication and monitor your heart.
• A small tube in your wrist or groin allows nurses and doctors to monitor your blood pressure and take blood samples.
• Tubes in your chest help remove excess air and fluid from around your heart and lungs.
• The chest tubes connect to a suction machine that will make a bubbling sound.

While connected to this equipment, you won’t be able to move around much. Your care team most likely will remove the chest tubes — and most of the other equipment — a few days after surgery.

Blood Transfusions

You may need blood transfusions during or after heart surgery. If you have any questions or concerns about blood transfusions, please discuss with your surgeon before your procedure.

Your Care Team

In addition to your nurses and doctors, you'll see other health care providers in the CVICU and on the postoperative unit. Depending on your needs, you may see these and other specialists:

• Cardiac surgery fellows and residents (doctors in training who work closely with your surgeon)
• Nurse practitioners and physician assistants
• Rehabilitation therapists
• Social workers and case managers
• Respiratory therapists
• Dietitians

Pain After Heart Surgery

As you recover from heart surgery, members of your care team will help control any of your surgery-related pain. You usually receive pain medicine by intravenous (IV) line at first, and switch to oral medicine soon after.

Our goal is to make sure that you are comfortable enough to participate in these and other important activities as part of your recovery:

• Coughing
• Deep breathing
• Sitting up in a chair
• Having physical therapy
• Walking

Recovery from Surgery

Most patients leave the CVICU the day after surgery. The nurses in the CVICU will help you out of bed and into a special chair. A nurse will bring you to the postoperative unit in this chair.

You will stay on the postoperative unit until you are discharged from the hospital. You can expect to be in the hospital for three to five days after surgery.

Get more details on what to expect after surgery.

Getting Back on Your Feet

Many people are surprised to hear that they will be out of bed as early as the day after surgery. In fact, starting to move around again is probably the most important part of your recovery. Many patients walk up a flight of stairs with a physical therapist before leaving the hospital — that's our goal for you, as well, if possible.

The Healing Process

You can expect to have healing pains for a few weeks. These will lessen as your wound heals. You’ll get other details about the healing process before you go home.

If you have clips (metal staples) in your chest, a member of your care team will remove them at a follow-up visit two to three weeks after your surgery.

Instructions from Your Care Team

Your nurses and doctors will give you detailed instructions about how to take care of yourself during your recovery. For example:

• Do not lift anything heavier than 10 pounds for 10 weeks.
• Do not drive for about four weeks after surgery.
• Record your body temperature and body weight each day. Bring this information with you to your follow-up appointments.

If you are working, ask your surgeon how much time off you should plan. Most people are out of work for one to two months after surgery.

Try to remember that the long-term outlook for most heart surgery patients is excellent. Pace yourself according to your own body's signals. Discuss any concerns you have with your doctor.

Pace Yourself

During your recovery, there may be days when you feel tired or frustrated. You may feel like you should be getting better faster than you are.

Look for signs of improvement from week to week, rather than day to day.

Healthy Lifestyle

We'll provide details about things you can do to ensure a healthy lifestyle after surgery. These are steps you should take to help your heart stay as healthy as possible, such as:

• Quitting smoking
• Getting into a regular exercise routine
• Eating right