What to Expect After Surgery

Recovery from Cardiac Surgery at BIDMC

Learn what to expect after cardiac surgery, from the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit to your home.

After your heart surgery, you will be taken to the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU). Here, your team of specially trained doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists, and others will provide constant care and monitoring.

Several hours after your surgery, you will begin to wake up, and may see several people around your bed. This is routine. Many patients feel confused and anxious when they first wake up, but try to remember that you are never left alone in the CVICU, and you are being watched very carefully.

Visiting Hours

Because of the special needs of patients who have had cardiac surgery, visiting hours must be restricted in the CVICU. In general:

One or two close family members may visit between 12 and 8 p.m.
Visits should last about five minutes.
CVICU nursing staff may alter visitor guidelines depending on your condition.

Designated Family Spokesperson

We understand how important it is for your family to receive information about your condition. We ask that families designate one person to be a main spokesperson. The staff will be in close contact with the spokesperson, who can relay information as needed to the rest of your family and friends.

The First Day After Surgery

Breathing Tube

When you first wake up after your heart surgery, a breathing tube will still be in your throat. Your lungs need help until the anesthesia has worn off.

You will not be able to speak while the breathing tube is in place; however, our nurses are very skilled at communicating with patients who cannot speak to find out what you need.

After the breathing tube is taken out, you will be a little hoarse and may have a sore throat — this is normal.

Heart Monitor, IV Lines and Tubes

In the CVICU, you will be connected to a monitor that shows your heart rate and rhythm.
The IV lines put in before your surgery will still be in place.
A large IV line in your neck allows the nurses to give you medication and monitor your heart.
A small tube in your wrist or groin allows nurses and doctors to monitor your blood pressure and take blood samples.
Tubes in your chest help remove excess air and fluid from around your heart and lungs.
The chest tubes are connected to a suction machine which will make a bubbling sound.

While you are connected to this equipment, you will not be able to move around much. The chest tubes, and most of the other equipment, usually are removed a few days after surgery.

Blood Transfusions

Some patients need blood transfusions during or after heart surgery. If you have any questions or concerns about blood transfusions, please discuss with your surgeon prior to your procedure.

Your Care in the Hospital

Your Care Team

In addition to your nurses and doctors, you will see other health care providers in the CVICU and on the postoperative unit, depending on your needs:

Cardiac surgery fellows and residents (doctors in training who work closely with your surgeon)
Nurse practitioners and physician assistants
Rehabilitation therapists
Social workers and case managers
Respiratory therapists
Dietitian

Pain Management

As you recover from heart surgery, members of your care team will work with you to make sure that any surgery-related pain is well controlled. Patients usually receive pain medicine by IV at first, and 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.

Recovery from Surgery

Most patients leave the CVICU the day after surgery. The nurses in the CVICU will help you out of bed and into a special chair. A nurse will bring you to the postoperative unit in this chair.

You will stay on the postoperative unit until you are discharged from the hospital; for most patients, the usual stay is three to five days after surgery.

Getting Back on Your Feet

Many people are surprised to hear that they will be out of bed as early as the day after surgery. But starting to move around again is probably the most important part of your recovery. Most everyone also walks up a flight of stairs with a physical therapist before leaving the hospital.

Healing Process

You can expect to have healing pains for a few weeks, but they will lessen as your wound heals. You will receive detailed information about the healing process before you go home.

If you have clips (metal staples) in your chest, they will be removed at a follow-up appointment two to three weeks after your surgery.

Going Home: Taking Care of Yourself

Instructions from Your Care Team

Your nurses and doctors will give you detailed instructions about how to take care of yourself during your recovery. For example:

Do not lift anything heavier than 10 pounds for 10 weeks.
Do not drive for about four weeks after surgery.
Record your body temperature and body weight each day: bring this information with you to your follow-up appointments.

If you are working, ask your surgeon how much time off you should plan. Most people are out of work for one to two months following surgery.

Healthy Lifestyle

You will also receive information about things you can do to ensure a "healthy lifestyle" after surgery — things that will help your heart stay as healthy as possible, such as:

Quitting smoking
Getting into a regular exercise routine
Eating right

Pace Yourself

During your recovery, there may be days when you feel tired or frustrated. You may feel like you should be getting better faster than you are.

Look for signs of improvement from week to week, rather than day to day.

Try to remember that the long-term outlook for most heart surgery patients is excellent. Pace yourself according to your own body's signals, and discuss any concerns you have with your doctor.