Heart surgery is a major operation. Therefore, it is important to know the correct care after surgery to prevent possible complications and speed up the recovery process.
The length of the recovery process from heart surgery can vary for each patient. However, the recovery period usually lasts 6–8 weeks.
To speed up the recovery process, the doctor will give you advice on what should be done after undergoing heart surgery.
Treatment After Heart Surgery
The following are some of the things you need to do after undergoing a heart surgery procedure:
1. Avoid clothes that are too tight
You are advised not to wear clothes that are too tight for a while. This is because tight clothing can press and rub against the surgical incision scar, slowing down the wound-healing process.
2. Do not take a bath by soaking
During the recovery period after heart surgery, you are not advised to take a bath by soaking. In addition, avoid bathing with water that is too hot or too cold.
3. Get plenty of rest
One of the effects of heart surgery is difficulty sleeping well. This can happen because you feel pain in the operating area.
To overcome this, you can take painkillers prescribed by a doctor about 30 minutes before going to bed or do calming activities, such as listening to music or reading a book.
In addition, also avoid caffeinated drinks that can make it difficult for you to sleep, such as coffee, tea, and soft drinks.
4. Do not drive a motorized vehicle
It is not recommended that you drive a car or motorbike for 1.5–2 months after surgery. This is because the effects of drugs consumed during the recovery period can interfere with concentration or cause drowsiness.
5. Consume nutritious food
Your appetite may decrease after having heart surgery. However, you still have to follow a healthy diet to help the healing process, such as eating nutritious foods for the heart that are low in fat and salt.
Not only accelerates healing, but a healthy diet can also reduce the risk of having a heart attack or having further heart surgery in the future.
6. Not having sex
The doctor will also advise you not to have intercourse for at least 6 weeks after undergoing treatment at the hospital. However, this depends on your condition.
You can return to having sex if you feel comfortable and the postoperative wound has started to heal. However, it is recommended that you consult a doctor about this to be safer.
7. Do not work too hard
In general, someone who has just had heart surgery takes about 2-3 months before being able to work again. However, if the work being done does not require a lot of physical activity, you can usually be allowed to return to work 6-8 weeks after heart surgery.
8. Do not lift heavy objects
You are not allowed to lift, push or pull objects that are too heavy after having heart surgery. This aims to accelerate the recovery of the sternum.
In addition to some of the things above, during the first 6 weeks after heart surgery, your doctor can give you permission to do some light activities, such as cooking, walking leisurely, watering plants, and washing dishes. However, these various activities must still be carried out slowly.
Caring for Postoperative Cardiac Incision Wounds
During recovery, you must be careful when cleaning the incision area to speed healing and prevent infection. Here are some ways to treat post-heart surgery wounds:
- Wash your hands first before handling the incision area after heart surgery.
- Incision wounds after heart surgery do not always have to be bandaged, but must always be dry and clean. If bleeding occurs, immediately inform the doctor.
- Clean the injured area gently with a non-perfumed soap, such as baby soap, then rinse with warm water.
- Avoid applying creams, powders, or ointments to the wound area, unless directed by a doctor
- Keep postoperative incisions away from sun exposure for at least the first year, because these wounds are prone to sunburn and darken when exposed to sunlight.
Itching, pain, numbness, or the appearance of a lump in the wound area is normal. Over time, this condition will disappear by itself.
However, contact your doctor immediately if the complaint is accompanied by fever or the wound area increases swelling, pain, pus, and becomes red. This can be a sign of an infection in the heart surgery wound. Thus, proper handling can be done.