Post Bypass Surgery Care At Home | Complete Guide

Introduction

Heart bypass surgery is a complex procedure and life-saving procedure. Although it can significantly improve heart health, the recovery process requires careful attention to ensure a smooth healing process and minimize the risk of complications. While the hospital provides immediate post-surgery care, continued post-surgery care at home plays a vital role in ensuring a faster recovery.

In this blog post, we will guide you through the necessary steps to be followed at home, from managing pain to adhering to lifestyle changes to ensure a successful recovery after the bypass surgery!
Overview Of Heart Bypass Surgery

Overview Of Heart Bypass Surgery

Heart bypass surgery, also known as coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is a medical procedure performed in individuals with severe coronary artery disease. It helps restore blood flow to the heart by bypassing blocked or narrowed arteries.

After discharge from the hospital after surgery, post-surgery care is important in ensuring a smooth and successful recovery.

What To Expect At Home After Bypass Surgery?

When you get home after bypass surgery, it is common to experience different physical and emotional changes during the initial stages of recovery at home. Here are a few things you may experience

• Reduced appetite and constipation: You may have reduced appetite and constipation with weaker smells and it takes a few weeks for the appetite to return. Drink adequate water and eat fresh fruits and vegetables to help with constipation.
• Swelling: Swelling in the leg where the vein was taken is common. Elevating the legs, doing exercises, and wearing compression socks may help with swelling.
• Troubled sleeping: Many individuals have trouble sleeping immediately after bypass surgery. Ensure that you take prescribed medications and gentle exercising to help with troubled sleep.
• Muscle tightness: After surgery, you may feel muscle pain or tightness in the chest, shoulders, and upper back due to the stress on the muscles during the procedure. Pain medicine may help in relieving pain.
• Lump at the incision: It is normal to notice tender, pink, or red lump at the incision site and it will disappear with time.

Do’s When At Home After Bypass Surgery

Most of the recovery occurs at home after discharged from the hospital and it is essential to follow specific care steps to facilitate healing, reduce the risk of complications, and improve heart function.

Medication

Most of the people who have performed bypass surgery are discharged to home with medications. 

Take the medications as prescribed by healthcare professionals to help with recovery, manage pain, prevent complications, and promote overall heart health.

Some medications may cause side effects, including dizziness, nausea or fatigue. It is important to monitor for symptoms and report to your healthcare professional.

Wound care

After heart bypass surgery, there will be several incisions in the chest and in the leg or arm. Proper care of these incisions is necessary to prevent infection and ensure proper healing.

The key points to be followed for wound care are

• Keep the wound area clean and dry. Follow the doctor’s instructions to clean the chest incision.
• Avoid the use of scented soaps, oils, creams, or powder on the incision area.
• Avoid scratching the wound area.
• Avoid tight or restrictive clothing which may irritate the incisions.
• If you notice signs of infection, including redness, warmth, swelling, or drainage, contact your healthcare provider immediately.

Managing pain

You may experience some discomfort or pain at the incision site after a heart bypass surgery. Managing pain at home is important for a smooth recovery.

Your healthcare provider will prescribe medications to help overcome pain and discomfort. So, it is important to follow the prescribed pain management plan and seek medical attention if the pain becomes unmanageable.

You may also use natural pain management strategies, including relaxation techniques, meditation, and deep breathing exercises, to help reduce stress and anxiety that may exacerbate pain.

Activity

Regular exercise improves heart health and speeds up the recovery process. After the heart bypass surgery, it is important to gradually get back into physical activity. 

You may start with light activities, including walking and gentle stretching and your cardiac surgeon may recommend a personalized exercise regime. 

The exercises should help to strengthen the heart and improve cardiovascular health without overexertion. 

Read Also:- Best Exercises After Bypass Surgery

Lifestyle modifications

The different lifestyle modifications that are to be followed at home are

• Follow a heart-healthy diet: After the heart bypass surgery, it is essential to focus on a heart-healthy diet to help with the healing process and improve overall heart health. You may incorporate a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats into the meal. Avoid processed foods, sugary snacks, fried foods, and foods rich in saturated fats.
• Stay hydrated: Proper hydrated is required for the recovery process at home. Drinking plenty of water and avoiding overconsumption of caffeinated or sugary beverages is preferable.
• Avoid smoking and alcohol: Smoking and alcohol may affect the heart bypass surgery recovery process and increase the risk of further heart complications. Avoid smoking and consuming alcohol during the recovery process at home.

Read Also:- Diet After Heart Bypass Surgery: Foods to Eat & Avoid

Don’t When At Home After Heart Bypass Surgery

Here are a few things that the patient who has undergone bypass surgery must avoid:

• Avoid missing the scheduled follow-up appointment.
• Avoid exerting immediately after the surgery.
• Avoid involving in heavy physical activities and intense exercises, including weight-lifting.
• Avoid driving, biking, and riding motorcycles until approved by the healthcare provider.
• Avoid a diet high in processed carbohydrates, saturated fats, sugar, salt, and sodium content.
• Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol.
• Avoid standing or sitting in one position for a long time.
• Avoid doing activities that require reaching backwards or out arms above the shoulders.

If you notice chest pain, shortness of breath, infection signs. High fever, dizziness, leg swelling or pain, and nausea, seek medical help immediately.

Conclusion

In summary, the post bypass surgery care at home is important for long-term heart health and well-being. It includes following the necessary precautions, managing pain, and making lifestyle changes to ensure a successful recovery. 

If you have any queries about post-heart bypass surgery care at home, reach out to Heart360 Care to assist you in your road to recovery!

Frequently Asked Questions

References

• https://www.heart.org/-/media/files/health-topics/answers-by-heart/how-can-i-recover-from-heart-surgery.pdf#:~:text=Elevating%20your%20legs%2C%20doing%20exercises%2C%20and%20wearing%20compression,Taking%20your%20temperature%20daily%20for%20a%20few%20weeks.
• https://stanfordhealthcare.org/medical-treatments/c/coronary-artery-bypass-graft-surgery/procedures/at-home.html
• https://myhealth.alberta.ca/health/AfterCareInformation/pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=ud1743
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32173106/
• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8157999/