Questions? > after surgery in the hospital (8 entries)

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  • How long will I stay in the hospital?
    Usually about 3 to 5 days after surgery. It largely depends on the shape you were in before surgery. Once you can walk a couple hundred feet independently and pretty much ...
  • Will I have much pain?
    This depends on your pain tolerance and the type of incision used to do your operation. The mid-sternal incision used for most heart surgery it doesn't heart too much. The incision ...
  • What tubes and catheters will I have?
    A tube in your windpipe, IV's large and small, a catheter in your bladder, and chest tube drains. These are removed over the days after surgery as you get ...
  • What about that tube down my throat?
    We will take this out as soon as possible, usually three to eight hours after heart surgery. The nurses and respiratory therapists are experts at helping you deal with this. Most ...
  • Where will I go after surgery?
    Most of our patients spend a couple days in intensive care. Your loved ones can visit you there one to two hours after surgery.
  • What about complications?
    We do everything possible to prevent complications by preparing you for the operation, meticulous surgery, and fastidious post-operative care. Most patients have a 5-10 percent risk of any complication (mostly minor ...
  • Will I be able to go straight home?
    This depends mostly on the shape you were in before surgery, the help you will have at home, and on how smoothly you recover. Most patients are walking and self sufficient ...
  • Why is my hand numb?
    The reasons in order of likeliness: 1. When you take pain pills you sleep soundly, don't move position, and may compress the ulnar nerve at the elbow. The ring ...