Recovery time from open heart surgery
There is no doubt that open-heart surgery is a complex and major surgical operation, and the recovery phase after open-heart surgery includes two stages: the first stage requires hospitalization for a week or more, and the second stage is care and home care.
In both stages, the patient must follow the doctor’s instructions to reduce the recovery period from open-heart surgery and avoid any complications that expose the operation to failure.
The recovery period from open-heart surgery varies from one patient to another. In some cases, it may take from 6 to 8 weeks, while in some cases it may take approximately 3 months for the patient to begin practicing normal daily activities.
It is worth noting the duration of recovery The rate of open-heart surgery is less in heart surgeries performed using minimally invasive heart surgery than in those operations performed using traditional heart surgery due to the small surgical incisions in the chest.
Factors affecting the recovery time from open heart surgery
The recovery period from open-heart surgery is affected by several factors, some of which are related to the patient himself, such as:
- Patient’s age.
- The general, physical and psychological health condition of the patient.
- The extent of compliance with the doctor’s instructions.
- Lifestyle and routine after open heart surgery.
- Type of heart problem.
There are factors related to the medical team, for example:
- The skill, precision and experience of the surgeon.
- Technique and methods used in surgery.
- Talk to the patient, prepare him psychologically, and explain all the risks and complications of the operation.
- Environment, sterilization and post-operative medical care in the first stage in the hospital.
Therefore, it is necessary to choose a surgeon who has experience and skill in the field of heart surgery, and this is what Professor Dr. Muhammad Al-Ghannam, consultant in open-heart and minimally invasive surgery, has gained a distinguished reputation in the field of heart surgery.
When does the rib cage heal after open heart surgery?
In traditional open-heart surgery, the doctor makes a surgical incision in the middle of the chest bone. The length of the surgical incision is about 20 to 25 cm.
Therefore, the rib cage heals after open-heart surgery in two stages: the first 6 to 8 weeks immediately after the operation, during which 70% of the sternum heals, and the second stage begins after that and extends to 6 months in order for the bones of the rib cage to fully heal and the wound to heal completely.
While the minimally invasive technique relies on accessing the heart through small incisions between the ribs instead of a large surgical incision in the breastbone, therefore the rib cage heals faster in this case, and most patients usually return to their normal lives within 2 to 3 weeks.
How long to wear the belt after open heart ?
Some patients wear a chest belt after open-heart surgery. It is a compression medical belt that works as a brace to protect and support the chest bones. This helps the chest bones heal quickly and makes the recovery period from open-heart surgery shorter.
Before wearing a chest belt, the doctor must first be consulted about the patient’s need for a chest belt, the type appropriate to the nature of the wound, and also the duration of wearing the belt daily, and the duration of wearing the belt throughout the recovery period.
All of these questions depend on the doctor’s opinion and his follow-up of the case, as there is a difference between medical cases.
The doctor may advise wearing a chest belt in some cases because of its benefits, for example:
- Alleviating pain.
- Accelerating the healing of chest bones, thus accelerating recovery.
- Protecting the chest from fracture and infection.
Wearing the chest belt begins in the hospital and immediately after the operation. The period of wearing the belt usually reaches 8 weeks until the sternum recovers, and the period varies from one patient to another according to the doctor’s opinion.
When can a patient walk after open heart surgery ?
Walking after open heart surgery is essential for recovery; This is because it helps stimulate blood circulation and prevent the formation of clots. It also helps determine the extent of healing of the bones of the rib cage and also detect breathing problems after open-heart surgery.
Before performing the operation, the medical staff or physical therapist talks with the patient about the physical activities required during the first recovery period in the hospital, and the medical staff assists during the period of stay in the hospital.
A walking and movement program is developed that is appropriate to the patient’s condition and the nature of the operation. It depends on gradually increasing movement and walking and starting to do some simple exercises. This is to train to return to normal life.
After open heart surgery, the patient receives a list of the physical activities required daily in order to evaluate the progress of his health condition. The doctor explains some warnings that must be avoided while engaging in any physical activity during the first period of recovery. This is to maintain proper healing of the rib cage and avoid any complications.
When can an open heart surgery patient travel ?
In general, travel may be possible 3 months after open-heart surgery, because after 3 months the patient can return to most normal activities while avoiding any physical effort or excessive stress.
The doctor must be consulted about the patient’s condition and explain the means of travel and whether it suits his conditions and health, and whether there are specific medications that he will be taking while traveling or the nature of daily activities.
It is also preferable to have a companion with the patient, especially if travel is necessary and the recovery period for the operation has not ended. This is to always obtain help and avoid any risks and complications.
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Marital relationship after open heart surgery
People who have undergone open-heart surgery They must wait for a period of time until complete recovery before resuming physical activity, especially marital relations.
Doctors advise stopping sexual intercourse after open-heart surgery for at least 8 weeks, until the breastbone is completely healed, as movement during sexual intercourse causes great pressure on the breastbone and harms its healing process.
Great pressure can also twist the bone, and you should also avoid all situations that lead to discomfort in the first months and start doing all physical activities gradually.
The decision to resume marital relations depends not only on the healing of the sternum bones, but also on the state of the heart’s recovery, as it is possible that some patients will suffer from weak heart function despite the surgery that was performed.
Therefore, the doctor may request that some tests be performed before allowing the return to marital relations.
at the end
The recovery period from open-heart surgery depends on several factors that we mentioned above, and if you want to speed up the recovery and healing of the bones and wounds after open-heart surgery in a quick and safe manner, you must Rest enough and avoid any pressure on the chest area.
You must also eat healthy food rich in proteins and vitamins necessary for wound healing, practice walking and movement, follow a suitable exercise regime, stop smoking, and not carry any weights during the first weeks.
In addition to wearing a chest belt if the doctor tells you to do so, and making sure to constantly clean the wound to avoid infection.
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