You need to take great care of yourself following an open-heart or bypass surgery. The average time of recovery from the operation ranges between six to eighth weeks, though you may recover sooner if the degree of invasion during the surgery has been minimal. A few basic precautionary measures are suggested to all patients post-surgery. You should not apply any soaps, ointments or salves on the incision without first consulting your doctor. Try to keep the incision clean and dry at all times. Eat a healthy diet comprising fresh fruits and vegetables for faster natural healing of the incision.
It is common for patients to feel a sense of discomfort in the chest around the area where the incision is made. Itching and pain are fairly common around the incision. Never scratch the wound with bare fingers. Instead, dip a wad of cotton in a dilute solution of non-perfumed soapy water, wipe the skin around the stitches gently and then pat the area dry with a soft, clean cotton towel. Contact your doctor immediately if you observe discharge from the incision or experience a rise in the temperature around the area.
You should also be extra-careful if you have high blood sugar level and you notice a widening of the opening across the incision. The pain in the chest generally lessens after the surgery. You should call your doctor if you feel your breastbone hurting or moving with a popping sound. Bypass surgeries often involve vein grafts from the legs, which results in swelling and pain in the legs after the operation. To reduce the swelling, you should place your legs at a higher level than the heart while sitting or reclining for 15 minutes thrice a day.
You may also experience stiffness and pain in the legs post-surgery that may make normal movement uncomfortable. However, if you feel breathless or dizzy after attempting to walk, you should seek the advice of your doctor. You should not try to lift heavy loads under any circumstance before 12 weeks have elapsed after the surgery as this may produce excessive strain on the breastbone and lead to complications. Your physician will also recommend a diet chart that you should strictly follow. Smoking and drinking are forbidden during the recovery period. Normal activities at home and office, such as driving, traveling and exercising may be resumed within two months, after consulting a doctor.