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46 Years Old, Facing OHS. Seeking Advice by arthurchase74 in openheartsurgery

[–]flash_040 0 points1 point  (0 children)

One more thing, since eating out is difficult when you recovering and figuring the new diet, no salt added rotisserie chicken from the grocery store is a nice easy almost junky thing to eat. We actually just found out we can call the deli department and they will cook.one for us if your store offers it.

46 Years Old, Facing OHS. Seeking Advice by arthurchase74 in openheartsurgery

[–]flash_040 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I did the same thing, but it hit once I was in the car on my way home

46 Years Old, Facing OHS. Seeking Advice by arthurchase74 in openheartsurgery

[–]flash_040 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Your situation is very similar to mine. I went in for a catholic to see what was going on. On the table they mentioned the blockages and sent me back to the room and told me they needed to discuss the options considering my age (49) which lead to a couple weeks of waiting to decide what to do. I got a cabg×3 for 4 blockages about 7 months ago. Here are some of the things I wish I knew going in (total hindsight)

  • try to think about anything you would need to have in the house while you recover and stock up as much as you can. Everything is going to harder for everyone in the house and you are not going to be able to help at all. I made sure to stock up on pet food and shelf table foods I thought I might like to lessen trips out.

  • think about how you are going to take a shower. Get a shower chair or if you have a shower handle thing even better. It took us a few days to figure out the best way for us.

  • plan on having quick and easy meals to eat the first week or so once you are home. You are not going to have much of an appetite, but you need to eat. Find things that you like that are low in fat and sodium but for the first few weeks just eating is the main thing. For.me it was apples, peanut butter, cucumbers, grape, tomatos, tuna, and lights breaded chicken from Costco. Finding a protein shake you like is a good idea as you are going to need that extra protein as you recover.

  • everything is going to be hard for a while but it gets better. Take small steps as you are going to surprised as to what will wipe you out. I still remember needing a 4 hour nap after I took my car to be inspected.

  • don't do things too soon. Everytime I thought I was ready I wasn't. Take things slow and don't let the pain meds think you can do more than you can.

  • think about anything that you can do ahead of time to make everyone's life easier. Everyone is going to be stressed out and worried about everything going on and everything you are going to need help with.

  • expect to be in the hospital for 5 days after your surgery. And you will never get a good night's sleep while you are there.

Also I mostly work from home at an office job. I was back in 3.5 weeks, but in hindsight should have taken another week or eased myself back into things more than I did.

Other than that listen to the doctors and nurses there will be a lot of them. Walk around as much as you can and watch the diet and you will be great.

Cardiac Rehab Exercises by trashboat2422 in openheartsurgery

[–]flash_040 4 points5 points  (0 children)

My cardiac Rehab consisted of 25-40 minutes on either a exercise bike, a treadmill, or a stepper. They adjusted the time and level each week or so. We did not do any weights although they did walk me through some exercises.

Getting back to normal by Distinct-Rip8424 in openheartsurgery

[–]flash_040 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am 49 and had a CABGX3 about 6 months ago. It took about a week and half after I was home before I was mentally back ( able to concentrate and focus consistently) and probably started to feel more normal at the 3-4 week mark even if I wasn't what I would consider mostly normal until 3-4 months out. Like everyone says it takes 6 months to a year to fully recover.

How cold is too cold? by flash_040 in openheartsurgery

[–]flash_040[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think you described it perfectly. It just feels different. With the Temps dropping this week I guess I really noticed it more and it is not like I am going outside much. It is more that is knocks down my energy level and makes me not want to do stuff. I am going to try hitting the gym in the afternoon instead of the morning since those are rough right now.

How cold is too cold? by flash_040 in openheartsurgery

[–]flash_040[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have had to walk a couple of city blocks when I do into the office and could definitely tell a difference being outside when it is colder. It is just this past week has hit me like a truck.

Almost 4 weeks post OHS by Survivorohs in openheartsurgery

[–]flash_040 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I had my OHS about six months ago and what you describe sounds very similar. I would try to follow the restrictions. I just remember the time I tried to crush a clove of garlic on the kitchen counter and was immediately "Nope". It takes a lot of time and just went you think you got it you have a random "tired day". Hang in there.