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French Hospital Medical Center in San Luis Obispo or Marian Regional Medical Center in Santa Maria
Please bring a list of all current prescription and nonprescription medications you are using. Please be able to provide information on prior medical conditions and procedures. If possible, it is advisable to bring a family member or trusted friend to the consultation.
Depending on the procedure, a typical heart operation takes about 3-4 hours. Your loved ones should know that to give you the best care possible, your operative team will need at least one hour before the actual start of the surgery to prepare you for the procedure and typically about one hour after the procedure concludes to make you comfortable and settled into your ICU room. Your loved ones will be permitted to visit you roughly 1 hour post-surgery.
Since everyone recovers at a different rate, there is no set time limit for ICU stays. Many of our patients are able to leave the ICU in 24 to 48 hours to be transferred to a step-down unit. Your total hospital length of stay depends completely on your progress and health status.
The length of recovery time needed before driving following your surgery will depend on the operation. For most open heart operations, driving can be resumed 4 weeks from the date of surgery. For other chest and vascular operations, driving can usually be resumed within 1-2 weeks as directed by your surgeon.
The length of stay varies, but generally 4-8 days is average following heart surgery.
‘Sternal precautions’ should be adhered to for the first 6-8 weeks after your cardiac operation in order to allow your incisions to appropriately heal.
Recommendations include:
• Lifting with hands and arms should require less than 10 pounds of pressure and be pain free
• In general, the upper arms should be kept close to the body
• It is advisable to hug a pillow over the surgical incision when coughing and sneezing
• Movements of the arms horizontally, backwards, or over the shoulders should only be performed within pain-free limits
• It is advisable to sleep on ones back (rather than side or stomach) as much as possible for the first 3-4 weeks following surgery
• Those with large breasts should use a supportive brassiere that fastens in the front
• Additional information and guidance on sternal precautions will be given by your surgical team while recovering in the hospital
Our team understands the decision to move forward with surgery of any kind is a personal and monumental. You can feel confident that you’ll be in the experienced hands of our dedicated surgeons and professionals who will help educate you on the pros and cons of the recommended procedure. Our team will work with you to develop a comprehensive care plan, accounting for your goals and designed to optimize your outcomes and quality of life.
Your heart care team will provide a variety of informational resources to help you during your recovery process following heart surgery. These resources may include:
- Information on a heart-healthy diet
- A comprehensive guide to exercise and early mobility following heart surgery including detailed exercise instruction and tips for performing activities of daily living
- Information about support groups. Heart surgery is stressful. Talking to other individuals in the same boat can be helpful. In-person and virtual support groups are available through the American Heart Association and Mended Hearts.
- Free services to help you quit smoking, if necessary.
Cardiac rehabilitation is a supervised program that includes physical activity, health education including diet and medication usage, and emotional support.
All patients who undergo heart surgery will be referred to a cardiac rehab program, which can usually start within a few weeks after the operation.
