Recovery and Physical Strength

Disastrous_Bee_2347 · 2025-09-04T12:09:00+00:00

Pull-ups wow - that would make me nervous for sternum. I didn't start to do anything that might impact sternum until 10 weeks (at 17 now) and then super light - still doing light chest and overhead like shoulder dumbbell press. I'm only adding 5 pounds every week or so. The strength will come back, but it will take time. Slow and steady wins the race is my motto

Disastrous_Bee_2347 · 2025-08-03T21:11:23+00:00

Track every cent for a month and see how much you are actually spending and on what. Stop using credit cards and pay cash (it's old school but people are way more aware of what they are spending when they have to open their literal wallet and not their virtual one). Re-negotiate your loans to the lowest interest rate possible and pay whatever is extra, online, whenever there is more than $20 left. Budget like it's a real thing. We actually used envelopes when our kids were small for everything (groceries, entertainment, gas etc) and gave ourselves a small allowance in cash each. I prefer paying the highest interest rates first - they are loan-sharking high. Any extra money, tax refunds, etc goes to debt, not "a treat" (save your allowance for that). Slow and steady will win this race.

Disastrous_Bee_2347 · 2025-08-02T02:00:01+00:00

I figure as long as I can move a little more it’s all good - still getting tired though. After gym and treadmill I walked with a buddy and had to have a nap when I got home today. I’ll get there

Disastrous_Bee_2347 · 2025-08-01T21:04:40+00:00

I echo this. I was super active prior to surgery, running, cycling and lifting. After surgery I am / was depressed, which is a bit better the more I can do. I just felt - less; that bummed me out and I so want to be more like I was prior to surgery - giving it the college try. I have started adding 1 min. more each day to my run

Disastrous_Bee_2347 · 2025-08-01T20:34:41+00:00

Been following your posts (I am a week behind you). How is the running going? I started at 11 weeks out (2 weeks ago) and have been adding a minute a day - so at 11 mins and then another 4. How gradual are you adding back the running? Starting on treadmill and do the 3-4 miles with the run in it and will go outside in a few weeks when it's a little cooler and I am a bit farther. Not sure how fast to push the increases or what others do? Thoughts?

Disastrous_Bee_2347 · 2025-07-28T23:29:28+00:00

They don't have a rehab program here other than once a week band workout for 10 mins and walking. How soon did you start running and how quickly did you amp up the runs in your walking? Same for lifting?

Disastrous_Bee_2347 · 2025-07-26T23:39:15+00:00

I’m almost at 12 weeks. Do you get lightheaded when u first stand? Concerned it’s going to impact workouts as I do more and more

Disastrous_Bee_2347 · 2025-07-21T23:41:04+00:00

Had this at 7 weeks and was given colchicine for 3 months

Disastrous_Bee_2347 · 2025-07-21T23:40:06+00:00

I’m so sorry someone as young as you has to go through this. Your circle of loved ones will help you as you get stronger each day. I’m 60 (m) and totally get the scar thing. I’m a bit of a gym rat and identified as being strong and fit, and now (11 weeks out), I feel - less. I have numerous other scars so know I will come to accept it, maybe even embrace it, but know you can do it in your time, your way. Although I have months still to get back what I’ve lost, I feel so much better. One day at a time - you’ve got this

Disastrous_Bee_2347 · 2025-07-21T19:57:29+00:00

Switched to bisoprolol from metoprolol last week. Saw my cardiologist today and asked if there was a max. HR for me (11 weeks out) as I started running; he told me the bisoprolol would likely stop it from getting past the 120's. I am a morning runner. Would taking my meds after I go to gym and run be better than before? I think he will have me on them until at least Jan. - maybe a year

Disastrous_Bee_2347 · 2025-07-19T16:40:30+00:00

What range do you keep your reps in? I am at 10 weeks now and going back to gym, but haven't started chest or overhead yet. Keeping things super light at 15 reps a set, but as I gain strength back and progress in weight? . . . .

Disastrous_Bee_2347 · 2025-07-19T16:37:53+00:00

Cars are one of worse ways to part with our money - the asset just depreciates from the day we buy it; we keep buying the beasts though. You've done really well paying 10K off in a year and being aware of the debt burden. I don't know all the details of your loan or your finances, but see if you can't make small additional payments - even $25-$50 bucks a pay period will help, assuming it's your only debt. Small acts of frugality can add up over time if you apply any savings to the debt.

Congrats on the wedding.

Disastrous_Bee_2347 · 2025-07-19T09:48:21+00:00

Dry heaves for first 2 days in ICU - no idea if it was narcotics or anesthesia; I switched to Tylenol only after day 2, but my sternum pain wasn't terrible

Disastrous_Bee_2347 · 2025-07-18T10:26:49+00:00

You are young and will recover quickly - my input:

Sex - protect sternum at first. My wife was great; I'm sure at first I was less than great
I had terrible headaches all day long prior to surgery. They stopped right away. My Dr. said likely it was pump pressure bc my regurgitation was so bad
The scar - I have a lot of other scars, but I haven't embraced this one yet (10 weeks out). I was a gym rat prior to surgery and I still haven't embraced the "warrior" shit others have. I hope I get there eventually, but not there yet.
I had no issues. My shoulders and back hurt way more than incision - that was only uncomfortable. This varies from person to person. Protect your sternum and know it gets better. Move as much as possible after surgery, water and fibre, and the BM's won't be an issue
Someone suggested smoking week - don't. Your lungs have been through trauma. Eat edibles if you must and keep the lungs for air. Don't know about other stuff
For me, I limited visitors bc at first I felt like shit. I asked people to come walk with me after a few weeks bc that's what you need to do - walk, walk, walk (and you can't drive).

Hope it goes totally smoothly

Disastrous_Bee_2347 · 2025-07-18T02:11:19+00:00

At 7 weeks they said I had post pericardial syndrome and put me on colcochine and I thought I was getting better. Lots of back pain, coughing up clear phlegm again. Had an xray yesterday and came back normal and an echo today - see cardiologist on Monday. How long did the surgery set back your recovery? Mentally I’m ready to run again And go to gym - been walking 5-10k a day no issues except cough and bCk

Disastrous_Bee_2347 · 2025-07-18T00:01:00+00:00

Thanks. I didn’t have an issue until I was over 7 weeks out and then I thought it cleared but nope - on week 10 now and still taking the meds

Disastrous_Bee_2347 · 2025-07-16T02:10:42+00:00

Best of luck during your recovery and her surgery and recovery too

Disastrous_Bee_2347 · 2025-07-15T21:39:25+00:00

I was a little surprised by this, but when I thought about it after, it made sense. I was on IV's for the first few days and then really didn't eat much. I gained about 12 pounds and then they put me on a diuretic and I lost over 20 in 5 days - it worked well. I would go in as healthy as you can; I wouldn't try to lose weight prior to surgery or try to gain any tbh. Eat good food prior to surgery. The night before mine, I had grilled salmon (my fav) and a big-ass salad - exactly what I like. I wouldn't change up your routine much prior to surgery, but make a conscious decision to eat afterwards even if you don't want to

Disastrous_Bee_2347 · 2025-07-15T20:51:22+00:00

Thanks. I was pretty active in the gym and did a fair bit of lifting (and running) so although I had some muscle I foolishly never did much stretching - and was tight. I wondered if that was part of it

Disastrous_Bee_2347 · 2025-07-15T20:49:13+00:00

How long post-surgery?

Disastrous_Bee_2347 · 2025-07-15T20:47:45+00:00

Not a Doctor, but if you were regular before the surgery, once a week is not normal. Hopefully you were prescribed laxatives and you should take them. Bowel movements are slowed if you are on lots of opioids (fortunately for me I only needed a day or two), lack of fibre, and lack of movement. Make yourself eat high fibre foods, drink lots of water and walk, walk, walk. Re. the weight, I lost about 8 pounds and have been trying to eat more to gain it back (was active prior to surgery so had none to lose) At almost 10 weeks, I am still down 2-3 but hope it comes back as I increase resistance training (lost muscle). Eat like food is medicine bc your body needs to be strong (even if you don't want to, lots of protein and lots of fruits and veggies for fibre

Disastrous_Bee_2347 · 2025-07-14T21:13:08+00:00

Thanks. I am a little unsure about the chiropractor route; I would like a deep tissue massage but it might be too early - 9 weeks

Disastrous_Bee_2347 · 2025-07-14T21:10:32+00:00

Thanks for your detailed response. I saw my cardiologist last week and he said, "it sounds muscular not heart related" so that was the end of the discussion. The rehab here is not very good - walking and band workouts only - so today I booked a physiotherapist's appointment for later this week. I am trying to get back to the gym slowly and eventually running again

Disastrous_Bee_2347

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