Care in the Hospital
Comfortable Recovery
Pain Management
As you recover, members of your care team will be working with you to make sure that any pain related to your surgery is well controlled. Patients usually receive pain medicine by the intravenous (IV) route early in their recovery, but switch to oral medicine soon after.
Our goal is to make sure that you are comfortable enough to participate in the important activities that are part of your recovery, such as coughing, deep breathing, sitting up in a chair, walking, or undergoing physical therapy.
Individualized Routine
Because every patient's tolerance to pain is different, the nurses will work with you on an individualized pain management routine.
Sometimes, patients who feel comfortable at rest decide not to take much pain medicine. However, such patients may also tend to avoid activities that are an important part of recovery. Talk with your nurses about a pain management plan that you are comfortable with and that allows you to fully participate in your recovery.
Usual Stay Between Four and Five Days
Although the amount of time spent in the hospital after cardiac surgery is different for everyone, the usual stay is between four and five days.
Healing Process
If you have clips (metal staples in your chest), they will be removed at a follow-up appointment two to three weeks after surgery. You can expect to have healing pains for a few weeks, but they will be less and less as your wound heals. You will receive detailed information about the healing process before you go home.
