Pathway to Recovery
Recovery
It can be a worrying time from when you or your loved one first experience symptoms to being diagnosed with a condition that requires heart or lung surgery. There’s a lot to take in, including understanding what your surgery will involve, how long you will be in hospital and what you can expect recovery to look like.
Regardless of what type of surgery you need, Dr Bhagwat and his team will keep you fully informed about what to expect at each point of your journey, and provide support every step of the way.
Leaving Hospital & Follow Up Appointment
After you leave/are discharged from hospital, you should see your GP within a week and then set up an appointment where your GP can check your blood tests, medications, blood pressure, remove any stiches and check the wound.
Your GP can also write a referral to Dr Bhagwat for your follow-up appointment. This appointment should be made for 4-6 weeks post-surgery, don’t forget – call Dr Bhagwat’s rooms for your follow up appointment.
Early Recovery - first 4 weeks
The good news is that patients who have had minimally invasive surgery are usually feeling fully recovered and back to their usual activities by 4 weeks. There are also no lifting restrictions after this point.
It’s important to remember that, as per national guidelines, you cannot drive until 4 weeks after heart surgery. If you drive a commercial vehicle, you may not do so for up to 3 months.
After you’ve had your first follow up with Dr Bhagwat you should also make an appointment to see your cardiologist / respiratory physician (approximately 6-8 weeks following surgery).
Follow Up with Dr Bhagwat
At your follow up appointment with Dr Bhagwat (4-6 weeks post-surgery) Dr Bhagwat will check your wounds, review your post-operative chest x-ray, any other test results and medications.
This is also a chance for you to ask any other questions about your surgery or recovery.
If your recovery is going per plan, your next step will be to have a follow up with your cardiologist or respiratory physician. You may need regular check-ups with them.
Full Recovery
You will start your cardiac rehabilitation program 4- 6 weeks after surgery. This is a program run at the local hospital that will help you understand about how exercise, diet and lifestyle can help your overall recovery.
If you’ve had a sternotomy, you cannot lift more than 3- 5 kg until six weeks to allow time for the bone to fully healed. You also should refrain from intense physical exertion until you are fully recovered.
Most patients will reach a complete recovery at 6-8 weeks post-surgery. At this point, there are no lifting restrictions and you can get back to all your normal activities.
Now that you’ve had successful heart or lung surgery and have followed the recovery and rehabilitation plan, it’s important to continue looking after your health.
Keep visiting your GP regularly, and also your cardiologist and respiratory physician when advised. Keep close watch on your blood pressure.
A really important thing you can do to keep your health, fitness and strength moving in the right direction is to develop an exercise regime. Meanwhile, eating a healthy and balanced diet will also give you a much better chance to live life to the full.
Good luck and stay well!