If you are in route to the recovery after your heart surgery, then the days that you spend in the hospital are very important. Although the surgery was successful, you need precautions to ensure that the recovery is short and does not produce any post-operation side effects. Spending additional time in the hospital provides the chance for the surgeon to oversee the post-operation effects and monitor the condition. The process will help in charting a course to wellness.
How Do You Get Out Of Bed After Heart Surgery?
At first, you will be waking up from the anesthesia. If you are in a state to change your position, then the caretaker or the nurse will offer you the needed support by raising the head portion of the bed. One of the critical aspects is to move often and early, which entitles for a speedy recovery.
Do not get out of the bed without any assistance. Depending on the progress, the nurse will offer support to make you sit at the edge of the bed, and the later shift to the bedside chair. Please note that the entire activity depends on the progress and varies from one patient to another.
You will be sitting in the bedside chair and slowly begin to walk with the assistance from the nurse. Every day, the nurse will increase the distance of the walk, which again depends on the progress. Expect at least three or more times of walk in a single day. With such an activity, you can expect to walk by yourself because you will gain steadiness. However, it is preferable to have someone on the watch as you walk by to ensure that there are no mishaps.
The first aspect of the recovery is to get out of the bed and begin moving. Increasing the body activity helps in:
- Flow of blood.
- Breathing.
- Development of the sense of well-being.
Day 1 Recovery
- Make it a point to get up and sit in the chair for every meal with the legs raised. Move the legs with toes pointing in up and down position to exercise the calf muscles.
- Make it a custom to walk at least four or more times in a day with the help of caretaker or support from a family member.
- Make use of the spirometer at least ten times every hour.
- Use the chest pillow for added support and comfort. Cough and take deep breaths.
Day 2 Recovery
- Sit in the chair and raise the legs for most of the day. Begin exercising the calf muscles by pointing the toes in up and down direction.
- Walk in the halls and increase the distance of the walk slowly with the help of the caretaker or support of a family member.
- Take deep breaths and cough to exercise the chest region. Use the spirometer every hour.
- Ensure to take measures to keep the pain at bay.
Day 3 Recovery
- Increase the walking distance and the time. At the same time, exercise the legs by bringing the toes to the up position and taking them down. Repeat the process for increased activity to the calf muscles.
- Keep the legs raised while sitting.
- Continue to walk in the halls and increase the ratio with the help of the nurse or a family member’s support.
- Continue taking deep breaths, cough, and use spirometer every hour.
- Work with the rehabilitation team to learn about the workouts that you can perform at home before discharging.
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