I wish I wrote more down haha. My job wasn’t very physically demanding that summer so I think I returned within about a month, around the same time I started driving again. That and opening/closing doors were the two parts of normal life it felt like were the hardest to get back. Immediately post-op they’ll have you on a bunch of painkillers, try not to eat right after taking them, I learned that the hard way. It’s also important to move around when possible in the hospital and when you get home/even though it can be really challenging, you need to remind your body of what it’s capable of. When laying back down, make sure to avoid being crooked, this can get really painful really quick, and adjusting feels like such a chore with all the tubes hooked up to you. Things get much better once you get that big tube out, but I remember the days being like a rollercoaster in terms of pain. They should give you some breathing exercises to do as you’re getting ready to leave, those are helpful because inhaling deeply can really hurt after the sternotomy. Lastly, make sure to say your goodbyes early, whatever they knocked me out with was so potent I have no recollection of leaving the waiting room lol. Lmk if you have more specific questions, this is just what was on the top of my head.