Video #4 of 4 - Some helpful tips for your Home Recovery - An Open Heart Surgery Series
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 15 ก.ย. 2024
- This video will give you some practical and helpful tips for when you go home after your Open Heart Surgery. Everything from showering, to scratching the itches, to helping you sleep, how much exercise to get, even some tips for how to deal with post-op emotions. This video guide, explained from a patient's point of view by an actual surgical patient, can be extremely helpful as you go through your recovery period.
I wept by the time you told us about 'heart ambassadors', psychologists and clergy who can help with heart patients in recovery. Not only did I not have any of that after emergency, 90% blockage heart surgery , I had no idea any of that existed. The trauma of emergency 3x CABG, followed by a cerebral hemorrhage and then a pulmonary embolism in December 2020 at the dark height of covid; living slone on top of that, age 74...took its toll, but I found my strength and will... and survived the hell. Restrictions due to covid gave my adult children minimal opportunity to be with or give post-op care due to covid risk, and discovering I had heart disease all in one fell swoop. It's been 31/2 years.... and what I would've given for someone like you at that time. Not processing it all has taken a toll, but I keep at life. I still give thank yous to many doctors, nurses and staff members. I'm grateful for surviving, but a heart ambassador or psychologist was sooo in order.
Thank you... my open heart aortic valve surgery is Sept 23, 2024
I watched this video and the one before it out of curiosity because a friend of ours had quadruple bypass surgery yesterday (13 June 2023).. Regarding the itching of the incision at the end of the healing process and after that, I have another suggestion for relief as long as it would be permitted !..
I had shingles in 2013 and was given a tip from a nurse who'd had shingles about the fact that the nerves in the surrounding area may itch up to 6 weeks, and it's an itch you can't get to to scratch..
Holding a cold pack as close as possible to the area that itches Kills the itch..
Well, it Worked !
We always keep 3 cold packs in our freezer anyway for rotating when one is needed, and the cold packs work great for Any kind of itching that you can't seem to find relief for, like bug bites, for example, when everything else has failed..
The cold has never failed to "kill" any itch for me.. After about 30 minutes, it usually isn't necessary to continue, and the itch is gone.
I hope this is helpful ! 🙂
Thank you, Suze, for your helpful tip. Anytime we can help each other, then these video's are doing exactly what they were designed to do. I remember that itch, and the top part lasted much longer than the rest. I'm sure others will find your information helpful. Thanks again, and may God Bless! Jim
I’m just passing week 7 after my 6 graft bypass surgery! I’m back to work full time and just had my 66th birthday! Doctors and nurses are amazing! I really enjoyed your videos relating how I felt during my time in hospital and recovering!
Nicely done! 👍
My wife will be having OHS on 8/30/22 and of all the available videos I watched to prepare for this, yours were the best. Very down to earth and first hand that my wife watched this morning and agrees with me. And she is a nurse !! Thanks for your thoroughness and your willingness to share.
Hello Michael. How is your wife doing? I am about two weeks away from my OHS and I'm scared, but these videos have been the MOST helpful. I wish I could talk to your wife. Woman to woman to be coached by a OHS warrior!! Thanks.
@@mariarutz9842 I just got home yesterday from my aortic valve replacement. These videos were a Godsend. Praying for you! 🙏 What are you most afraid of? I'm 62. Right now I'm sitting on the edge of the bed and can hear my new valve beating steadily. Didn't sleep well, but good enough for the first day home. I've been awake for several hours. It's now 5 AM.
Thank you for this information I really needed it today, I had open heart surgery 4 weeks ago and still can’t find my groove when I sleep, it’s been a nightmare with the coughing like something is stuck in my throat. Thinking about love ones that’s not here. But this video really help me out.
I.
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I’ve watched your videos both before and after my 5 way bypass surgery and I thought that the third one was most important for my family to watch, thank you so much for all of important and benefiting information. I had m surgery five days ago and am eager to get home to start the healing process following my doctors and you’re advice. I’m 79 and am ready to get on with m life.
I have just had cardiac catheterization. Multiple 100%, 90%, 80%, 70%, 40% and 30% blockages. My doctor is scheduling Quadruple/Quintuple bypass surgery ASAP. I found this series of videos so helpful. I have shared them with my family as well. We all found them to be so thorough. We do best with as much information as possible so thank you!❤
You put me at much greater ease about aortic valve replacement surgery. Best practical, comprehensive video I've seen in the past 2 months of research. Thank you so much. The Holy Spirit is on you!! God bless you all for making and sharing these videos.
Thank you for your kind words. Your research will serve you well as you go through this process. As I say to many patients, Knowledge is Power! I wish for you a successful procedure, a speedy recovery, and may God Bless. Jim
Wishing you well TacoMyrick and let us know how it goes! 👊
@@spar0035 Had surgery Monday morning. It went well but by Tuesday night I felt like I had made a big mistake not going the TAVR route. It's Thursday evening and I'm making rapid progress. Just gotta hang in there. Thanks for the well wishes and prayers.
Thank Sir for the impormation to share to us.My husband last Aug 23,2023 got a open heart surgery and after 15 days at the hospital he have a water on the lungs. We stay at the hospital almost 1 month and 5 days. Now He recovering .God bless
You are welcome! I'm glad he is doing better now. I wish for him a continued and speedy recovery. Good luck, and may God Bless Jim
I had 3 bypass one year ago..
Doing well, don't be afraid to push yourself a little while walking. If you wear out, simple sit down and rest,, walking 🚶♀️ isn't gonna hurt your bypass..
Being inactive is hardly good for anyone..
Good luck 👍💓
Thank you for your videos. I had mitral valve surgery 30 years ago and I’m now looking at a redo. Your videos were a good reminder of what to expect.
I had three grafts on July 28,2023 at the Cleveland Clinic. Your videos have educated me about the emotional highs and lows. Thank you. I have made a wonderful recovery. I am in rehab now and feeling like my pre blockage self. You have performed a highly needed service for this heart patient. THANKS AGAIN. Sincerely Lana D.
You are very welcome! I am so pleased that the videos helped you, and I'm even happier that you are as you described back to your pre blockage self. Listen to your body as you go through rehab it will let you know what you need. I wish for you a speedy recovery, and may God Bless. Jim
Thank you. I'm back home recovering from open heart surgery. It was and is how you've described it.
Thanks for this
I had a triple by - pass 3 weeks ago tomorrow.
I feel more at ease now for my next three weeks
Dear Jim and the team, you guys are amazing and thanks so much for these series of videos. They are clear, insightful and most importantly empathetic. Wish all of us the best of health!!
My quadruple bypass was emergent. I also had a carotid endarterectomy the night before my bypass and they kept me intubated and in cardiac care until my bypass the next day. All of my friends said I looked amazing when I came home. I experienced zero pain directly after and long after. My team was amazing. I’ll always be grateful.
Sounds like we may have gotten the same genes. After my CABGX3, I had both of my carotids repaired also - only about 6 weeks later. Just like you, I found my CABGX3 to be uncomfortable but not really painful, I did have some discomfort in my shoulders from the CEA's. And some discomfort from my sternum for a few weeks. I realize that we are all different and that each patient has their own experience as it relates to pain. Having said that, Thank You for sharing your experience and letting others know that heart surgery is manageable, especially if you are supported by a good team of doctors and nurses. I wish for you continued good health and may God Bless! Jim
Thank you so VERY much for all of your videos. Your presentation is perfect for the task of teaching us all of this in a calming and empathetic manner. I bookmarked them all to watch again and to show my husband.
I'm happy that you found the videos to be helpful and informative. It is a big help when you know what is happening around you and why during your procedure. As I say to many patients, Knowledge is Power! Thank you so much for your kind words. Good luck, and may God Bless. Jim
I am scheduled to have mitral valve repair surgery July 20th 2023 and I’m so grateful I found these videos to ease my anxiety of what to expect. I will be sharing with my family. ❤
11 months later, how are you doing? I am going for mitral repair this coming Tuesday.
Thank you very much for the walk through! Just turned 68. I had a CABG 5 bypass on 9.30.2019. So 3 years. Please make a video specifically about what the first visit with your cardiologist should include. My first visit the doctor told me nothing. I was dumbfounded! To this day I found out things from my online access of my charts of my doctor visits.
Thank You!
Your manner of speaking and cslm presence must be so beneficial to patients... I can but imagine!
All 4 videos provided excellent information -- your soft-sided delivery was perfect too. I hope this type of info will be provided to me when I go to Pre-Op appointment in a couple days. Thank you!!
Hi Pam, Thank you for your kind words. You may find that during your pre-op appointment, you will be given procedureal information, and also things like "what to do" and "where to be" type information. You probably won't get much information about the procedure itself. Your surgeon will normally discuss the procedure with you. Some hospitals do have ambassadors that can talk you through it prior to surgery, but they are few and far between. Fortunately, you now have access to the videos, and they will give you the ability to know what is going on around you and why. As I say to many patients, "Knowledge is Power." I would also have whomever is going to be your caregiver post-op watch the videos, it will give them an idea what you will be going through and give them the opportunity to know how to help you post-op. If your hospital doesn't have ambassadors, please feel free to share the videos with them so that we can help others. I wish for you a successful procedure, a speedy recovery, and may God Bless! Jim
My husband is finishing his third day out. I wish we had seen your videos before his surgery. Your presentation was terrific and right on point. Thank you.
You're welcome! Hopefully, he will be able to tell someone facing heart surgery about the videos and thereby help someone else in the future. I wish for him a speedy recovery, and may God Bless. Jim
Excellent set of videos , very helpful for me to undertand as my very dear friend went for Aortic Valve Replacement (Open Heart). Now I can suport him in his recovery.
Some bookmarks in this incredibly helpful video:
6:06 support stockings 7:30 overdoing it 10:56 sleeping in a recliner 14:32 breathing exercises 15:03 keeping your sanity!
Thank you for a thoughtful and insightful presentation. My 71 year old husband had a triple bypass on February 28th. He was released from the hospital one week ago and we are now monitoring his care at home. Your video was extremely helpful to me as I care for my husband and try to anticipate his needs. Thank you again!
You are very welcome, Carol. I'm glad you found the videos to be helpful. Video 4 has some good tips for his recovery. Remind him to nibble, nibble, nibble if he doesn't want to eat. He needs those calories for healing. I wish for him a speedy recovery, and may God Bless you both. Any questions, just ask. Jim
After heart surgery and getting back home I decided to take a short drive to the local store. I started the car, backed out of the garage and immediately pulled back into the garage. I was totally unsafe and not ready for driving. Take it easy at first even if you think you're up to it, in many cases you are not, at least not yet.
Thank you very much for sharing this ihelpfull video
God bless u
My open heart surgery done on 5th April
I found this tips very useful
Thanks Jim there's some really good info, thank you it really helps to have some good info to ease my mind.
Hi Jim! Well, I had my open heart surgery with the aortic valve replacement. I got a mechanical valve and I am writing this exactly 1 month since I've had the surgery. Thanks again for all of your videos. I cannot tell you how helpful and just to let you know, that everything that you mentioned in the recovery video was exactly right on target. All your videos helped me be more relaxed about everything, and helped me cope. May you be blessed today!
Hi Beth, Thank you for letting me know how you are doing. Whenever I get messages like yours, it warms my heart and reminds me just why Rick and I made the videos. I'm am so pleased that they were a benefit to you. Now that you are part of the open heart surgery family, please share the videos whenever you can with those facing surgery. I wish for you continued recovery and may God Bless. Jim
Hoping you're well recovered. ❤
Today, September 7th my husband is coming home from open heart surgery. I am so glad I saw this video! To understand what I need to do for my husband! Thank you so much for sharing your experience. Is greatly appreciated.
I am scheduled for mitral valve repair this coming Tuesday, June 25th, your videos have been very helpful preparing me for it and keeping me calm. Thanks.
My husband is having OHS in 2 days. I will be forcing him - gently - to watch these videos. I am trying to get him to watch the waking up from surgery video. This is absolutely priceless information. I know that I would have benefited from these kinds of videos when I went through a hospital stint for my kidney. I was so in the dark about everything and got very little information from staff.
Thank you so much again for taking the time to make these. They are an incredibly valuable source.
You're welcome! You are spot on when you want him to look at #3. Having that information can help to make the waking up process much more tolerable. As I say to many patients, "Knowledge is Power!. I wish for him a successful procedure, a speedy recovery, and may God Bless! Jim
I’m so happy to see this much needed information. I will be having surgery in three weeks. This has taken away a lot of fears.
So very informative. My husband is having OHS in 2 days. The unknowns and anticipation are the worst. I’ll be sharing this video with him. Thanks!
You're welcome! Any questions just ask. Good luck and may God Bless. Jim
Excellent videoes, thanks a lot!
Thank you. You have given me courage. This video was helpful because I got more from this video than from the hospital and nothing from the two weeks I spent in a nursing home. I had cardiac arterial bypass grafting. I had hiked over 800 miles on the Appalachian Trail and was brought to the hospital with chest cramping below my throat. I was more than 700 miles from my home state and was alone with no family (widower) to help me. I finally got home when a brother came to get me.
Hi, Thank you for sharing your unusual experience. I'm glad that you found the videos to be helpful. I can't imagine going through surgery that far from home with no support. Not to mention that long of a drive home after surgery, that in itself must have been really uncomfortable. I hope your recovery went and is continuing to go well. As a hiker, you are clearly conditioned to do one of the most beneficial exercises a heart surgery patient can do post-op. I wish for you continued good health, and may God Bless. Jim
Glad to have found this video series. We, I say we because my better half is just as affected, are three days out from CABGx3 and possible PFO repair. Have very positive outlook as a good friend had this performed 18 months ago and is doing awesome!
Thanks Jim!
You're welcome! Your preparation will serve you well as you go through your upcoming surgery. By knowing what is going on around you and why, it makes the whole process much more tolerable. I wish for you good luck, a successful procedure, a speedy recovery, and may God Bless. Jim
I agree with many of the comments saying I wish I had watched your series of videos before I had my open-heart surgery. But of course there wasn’t time. I did not have a heart attack, my blockage was found with a CT scan, but the turnaround was still seven days and it was a hard thing to wrap my head around. Thank you for doing this series of videos. Both of the cardiologists I saw were excellent and the hospitals were too but it would’ve been helpful to have had a video telling me what to expect.
Thank you, Jim. This was the perfect series of videos to watch before my surgery. Thank you and Rick for doing this.
Jim Davis, don't think i could have found a better spokesperson for these four videos i have just viewed.i am getting ready for Aortic Valve Replacement surgery next month and have been trying to stay as cool as a cucumber on the outside while not so much so on the inside.you, with your calm demeanor and helpful insight have really lessened my stress level. my sincere thanks to you
Very helpful. My relative just had the bypass. Praying for his recovery.
I wish them a speedy recovery, and may God Bless. Jim
Thankyou so very much for your amazing video.my father is having bypass surgery in the morning and I his daughter and his family need all the help we can get🙏
Hi Lisa, have him watch video #3. That video will help him the most as the waking up process can be the most difficult part of the procedure. Before he comes home, there are tips in video #4 that will help him and the family, so I suggest you go over them again. Remind him that once surgery is done, the first day is the most difficult, but then after that, he should feel just a little bit better each day. Time is his Friend! I wish for him a successful procedure, a speedy recovery, and may God Bless! If you need anything just ask. Jim
Hi Jim, Excellent videos. I have a heart disease, no surgery yet. So watching your videos is a great help in explaining everything. Hope you are now fully recovered from your surgery.
Cheers, Colin
I appreciate this informative series. I had no preparation for quad bypasses on 11/12. A few days after release, I was readmitted with fluid about the lungs. The right is now ok, the left improving. But I feel I’ve gone backwards in recovery. The pain on lying down is so uncomfortable I have slept in a wing chair with an ottoman. 1/17 I see the pulmonologist again and hope for tremendous improvement by then. My faith and the knowledge God has allowed me more time and opportunities to be with family, friends, and soon back at church (cannot drive yet). Yesterday was Christmas and sad not to have been at the Christmas Eve service. But I am eager for what The Lord God has in store for me, for my husband and family in the new year to come!
Hi Nancy, don't get frustrated for some people it may take several months until they are completely healed. Everyone is different, it took me a few months until I could sleep comfortably in a bed. I slept in a recliner for the first month or so. And don't forget to prop some pillows under your arms, it helps to take the pressure off of your chest muscles and makes you more comfortable. By the way I had the fluid around my lung also. Remember "Time is your Friend ". I'm pretty sure God is OK with you missing services, obviously He has been keeping an eye on you. Keep checking Video #4 there are some good tips in there. Any questions just ask. I wish you a speedy recovery and May God Bless! Jim
Hi Nancy, I hope you can make Christmas service this year ❤🌲
Thank you very much for these videos. I am ten days away from my aortic valve and aortic root replacement surgery. It gives me a lot of comfort knowing how to be as prepared as possible. I am sharing this with my wife and will summarize for my children as they will be on this journey with me. Thank you!!!
Hi Larry, It is a good idea for family members to be as informed as possible about the procedure. It helps them to understand what you will be going through and it helps them to know how to assist you during your recovery. I have said to more than one family the we may be the one on the operating table but the whole family is having the surgery. I wish you good luck, a speedy recovery, and may God Bless. Jim
Dear Jim, and Team, Thank you for making this video. I've gone through open heart surgery twice and I am going soon for the Third. I've been anxious too but after finding this video, I am feeling better. Thank you very much.
Thanks, I just have had a triple bypass and a Aortic valve replacement, Monday the 18, and tomorrow Monday the 25th I’ll go home;very informative video.
You are welcome! Remember that each day you will feel a little bit better. Follow the tips in video 4 and have whomever is your caregiver watch the videos also. It helps them to know what you may need. I tell most of my patients, Time is your Friend! Your body knows how to heal, just do what you can to help it along. I wish for you a speedy recovery, and may God Bless. Jim
These were great videos! I watched them as well as my fiance.I am SO glad I found out all about this surgery
and what it entails.I was prepared and if you're not you will be so afraid when you see all the tubes and iv's. He
was prepared too because I didn't want him to be scared when he woke up from the surgery and think he was dying
or something bad. All the tubes and iv's are all normal!I Also watched the going home video and I knew to put him
in the backseat with the pillow on the way home. He had a mechanical valve and an aortic aneurysm repair.He is doing
great and everyone is amazed by his progress at only 2 weeks! His chest doesn't bother him that much,it's the muscular
pain in his neck (they say is common and normal) that he has some trouble with.It's getting less everyday now that
he is moving more and had some PT. I am so relieved that this is behind us and he is such a trooper and we have the rest
of our lives to look forward to! Thanks so much for all these videos and tips.
Just finish my Surgery. Thank you very much cos what you say is 99% accurate. And i use them without fear after my surgery. GOD bless you
Mr Davies. 2 months ago I had my planned aorta valve replaced, together with 1 coronary arterie bypass as well. I read your videos maybe 1000 times and all happened just as you explained. Thank you for your wonderful info and tips which I found very helpful. Marianne Watts South Africa
Thank you for making these series of videos. My surgery to replace my Bicuspid Aortic Valve is coming up on September 2nd. I'm still a little in the shocked stage but I am slowly moving into
the preparation stage. I found all four of the videos very interesting and helpful. I don't want to go through this but it is what it is. Hopefully I can remember some of the tips that you mentioned.
Hope you're recovery went well
@@vanessahollenbach85 Thank you. After a couple of delays I finally had it done on September 28th. I joke with my husband that he is now married to a robot! I had a mechanical aortic valve put in and it's taking some time to get used to working around taking warfarin the rest of my life but I'm getting used to it. :)
@@kimenfield195 Its good to hear you're up and about. I felt for you when you said you're still in shock. My partner had a heart attack on our eldest's birthday, 25 April. He's still in hospital awaiting his double bypass. His surgery was already postponed once so we're hoping for next week. Can't wait for him to be home and recover here. Keep well and God bless 💗
@@vanessahollenbach85 I pray it goes well for him. The waiting is truly the hardest part.
Thank you for these videos. I have been watching them prior to my bypass surgery which takes place in about 2 weeks, June 15, 2023. I have already had 1 delay because I became ill with a nasty head cold. I'm still recovering. I can't tell how crucial these lessons have been for me. Thank you again.
Excellent videos, Jim. Thank you very much. I watched these videos not for myself but to help understand what a family member is going through who had valve replacement and a lot of other repairs. It really helps me put into perspective where they are coming from and what kinds of challenges they are facing so I can help support them the best way possible. So you are helping many people who are not patients, as well. It is greatly appreciated.
Hi Michael, Thank you for your kind words. It makes me happy to hear that you found the videos to be beneficial. Especially in the context that you viewed them. I have said on many occasions to families of the patients that I have met with prior to surgery that " the patient may be the one physically on the table having the surgery, but in reality the entire family is also having the surgery". They experience all of the same feelings that the patient is experiencing. Post surgery, they become the patient's support system as they do whatever is necessary to get their family member back to their new normal. I hope your family member's recovery is going well, and I wish for you all good luck, and also may God Bless. Jim
Have to say thank you so much for the video.
I had my open heart surgery 3 weeks ago .
Energy thing you've said on this video I can relate to.
Very made video .amazing heart ambassador, open my eyes to the idea , he'd the same when I first had my operation.
Thank you once again
Phill from UK 👍👍
You're very welcome! I wish you a continued and speedy recovery. Good luck, and may God Bless! Jim
I love your videos so much, because am preparing for my valves replacement surgery which I was scared off but after watching your video I was so glad I will not dead , but I will be able to take care of my newborn baby ❤❤❤❤❤
Thank you so much for sharing this video and your experience.
You said it right. No one understands what we are going through not unless they themself undergone it.
This is very resourceful... I am on 8 weeks and doing very well... I've listened to the videos more than once... thank you for your support
Fully appreciate those contributed this work.
Thank you for this video, my son 32 is going to be having surgery for this, he was just informed that he has a aortic valve regergitation and it's on the cusp of severe, they caught it early he's lucky, but this surgery is in the near future, we are preparing. Your videos have brought some calm to me on what to expect. I'll be sending these to him so maybe he can be informed and may it bring him some ease. ❤
If nothing else get him to watch video #3. I wish for him a successful procedure, a speedy recovery, and may God Bless! Any other questions, just ask. Jim
This is interesting, I feel for people that have this level of discomfort, I went home from hospital after 2 weeks and didn't take any pain medication from that day. I felt great, and walked every day about 1km. We live half way up a hill that has a 8-10 degree slope and from 2-4 weeks I walked about 1km at first working my way up to 4km by the 4 week mark. I would walk slowly using my heart rate as my guide, staying at or below 110bpm initially. By 4 weeks doing 4km on this hill took me about 106 minutes, by 5 weeks about 50 minutes, by 6 weeks about 45 minutes and by 8 weeks it 40 minutes. My heart rate would get up to 130bpm by the end but I never felt puffed. BTW, where I live you aren't allowed to drive until after 3 months and your surgeon saying it's OK.
Through this whole process of surgery and recovery, the only time I felt any pain was when I had a day trip to hospital to have about 0.5l of fluid drained from beneath my left lung. This felt like I had been stabbed in the back and I almost vomited because of the pain. Also I am a side sleeper, but for the first 3 weeks I slept on back and then moved to sleeping on my side. It was never uncomfortable.
I remember talking to a CABG patient when I was in rehab after an earlier stent placement and at 6-8 weeks he was talking about how much he was in pain but for me it was the complete opposite. I find it amazing that there is so much variation in peoples experiences.
I guess the only things left to say are that this is a fantastic program and I wish we had something like it in Australia. It's not that I don't think I received good or compassionate care going through my surgery, in fact the opposite is true, even while COVID was messing up the works I received an excellent standard of care, but this program has the benefit of having one person walk you through the whole process probably resulting in a much more consistent experience.
5TH Week in recovery after suffering an unforeseen Ascending Aortic Dissection on 12/12/2022. Yes, I am one of the lucky ones. Your four videos are on point. Thank you for taking the effort & time to produce them. Personally, I didn't have time to watch them in advance, but I got much satisfaction from them after the fact. Best to you.
I'm happy you found the videos to be helpful. Number 4 will give you some tips for your recovery. I wish you a speedy recovery and may God Bless! Jim
@@aheartbeataway4u360 Thank you for your kindness. .It will be eight weeks this evening (01/20/23) @ 8pm. Thankfully I am a new person in comparison to the 8th and 7th week. I pray I continue to make such progress in the weeks to come.
Amazing story! My husband is having ascending aortic aneurysm repair on Wednesday. How big was yours before dissection. Congrats on your recovery.
@Amanda Palumbo Thank you. 4.6, I am a 57 years old male, very active. Cardiologist was surprised it dissected. I trust/pray your husband's surgery is/was as successful as my surgery was. Be sure to use the inspiration spirometer. It will aid in the recovery.
First time watching. I will be having surgery in a month - many helpful tips especially taking the pain med at night. Thank you.
This series has been a great comfort. Thank you very much.
Thank you so much! Of all the videos I've watched, this has definitely been one of the best and most informative!
Had Cabg LAD bypass off pump on 7/28/23 , and I feel great , biggest issue is holding back from doing more. Its hard to pace yourself
, but as you said your body will tell you. Very good video ,very in line with what my doctors tell me. thank you.
You're welcome! Remember, Time is your Friend. I wish you a continued speedy recovery, and may God Bless! Jim
I am scheduled in one month to have open heart surgery to remove a tumor on my mitral valve. Thanks to your videos I am much less nervous.
Excellent practical advice, and superb delivery.
I found your videos to be simply amazing. Today is May 14th and my open heart surgery is on May 17th, so the timing could not be more fortuitous. Listening to you has helped me fully understand what to expect and has given me great confidence that recovery is very manageable. I am sharing all the 4 video links with my wife so it helps her understand it all, which I am sure will be very reassuring for her. Thank you for creating this set of videos.
Good luck
I’m going in for a SAVR in a few weeks and found this information very valuable.
Hi Fred, I am very happy that you found the videos to be helpful. You may want to have whomever is going to be your caregiver when you get home watch them as well. That way, they will have an understanding of what you may need during your recovery. I have had many Aortic Valve Replacement patients say to me, "I didn't know how bad I felt, until now I know how good I feel." I hope post-op that you can count yourself amongst them. I wish for you a successful procedure, a speedy recovery, and may God Bless. Jim
What a wonderful job mr davis does ! He explains so thoroughly .great job Mr Davis !!❤️
Fantastic series of videos. Thank you. I have not had open chest surgery yet but I fear that it will soon happen. I am due for some tests in the next few days and have had chronic fatigue for months. 15 years ago I had atrial fibrillation and a cardioversion. At the start of that I was in hospital for 4 days wired up to telemetry. I was supposed to be in the pre-op. ward but there was no room so I was put in post op. There is no heaven with angels. The Angels are the nurses and doctors in these places who dedicate their lives to making sure we do not find out if there really is heaven by giving us second chances. They are kind and generous people beyond words and it is obvious that heaven is right there and they are having fun as professionals, giving the gift of life and we sure appreciate it. When the beds are pushed back to the ward after surgery there is so much technology on it that you can't see the patient and the nurses literally run between them doing the post op care and 'obs'. I just wish the Governments of the world, particularly the New Zealand one would reward these Angels properly for the work they do.
You and your videos are such a gift. Thank you.
You're welcome, Mary !
thank you for the video had my bypass a week ago and going nuts with questions you cleared up a few
Thanks Jim. I am from India & had CABG on 4th February 2023. Really loved your informative videos. Thanks again.
You're welcome! I hope your recovery is going well. Good luck, and may God Bless. Jim
Thank you so much!!So helpful,made me feel so much better about my surgery!!
My husband is having his second mitral valve replacement in 15 months after failure. Having a mechanical or this time, video was excellent
I’m 14 and having ohs and I’m terrified cause this is my first major surgery and thank you for walking me through my future recovery
I thank all of you for putting these videos together. I will admit, I had a slight panic attack watching the third one, but I am better now. In all of the surgeries and illnesses I've been diagnosed with I find I can cope better with information. I'm not in control of it, just know what to expect in a better sense than before whether it's good or bad. God is in charge of my life and I do find that knowledge helps me be in even more Awe of Him and His creation than I was before that discovery.
Thank y'all, again.
You're welcome! And now you know what to expect, and you will also know what and why things are happening around you. As you said, Knowledge is Power. It is also a good idea to have whomever is going to be your caregiver post-op watch the videos also so that they will have an understanding of what you have been through. I wish for you a successful procedure, a speedy recovery, and may God Bless. Jim
Thank you so much Jim I just celebrated my six month anniversary of my surgery. I had Severe aortic valve replacement surgery by cuspid. I wish I found your videos before I went in. I didn’t find it till after my surgery weeks later it would help me so much. So thank you again you’re doing a great job as an advocate and I recommend you to everybody I know God bless you.
You are very welcome Sir! And thank you for spreading the word. Have a happy and healthy New Year. Jim
Thank you for your videos. You taught me some things I didn’t know about. I’ve had multiple surgical procedures, but I’ve never been a CABG patient before. Thank you so much for the tips. I’ll just trust the medical staff now. I don’t need to do too much. 😊
My cousin goes in for heart surgery Dec 21/21, this was very informative for me as a relative that has loved her like a sister my whole life
I wish her well with her surgery and also a speedy recovery. I hope she finds the videos helpful, as having knowledge is power. Video #4 will give her some helpful hints to aid with her recovery. Good luck and may God Bless both of you. Jim
very useful. I sent the link to my family. I will have this surgery soon. I am glad I saw your 4 videos. I live in Quebec and I guess it is about the same advice here. Merci beaucoup Jim
Greatly appreciated your advice and tips for Open heart surgery. I will be having open heart surgery next week, and watching your video will definitely help me in what to expect in this kind of surgery, and my recovery after surgery. Thank you again for this useful information.
4 weeks post triple bypass and I just stumbled on this video. I sure wish I had seen it before I went home. You covered so many things that I wasn’t told about. Just this weekend I had to go without any pain meds as there was a mix up on Friday and when I called Saturday morning I was told to call on Monday, sorry. I start rehab tomorrow and am somewhat nervous whether I’m really ready, especially still having pain and not sleeping well. Glad I saw your video! Thanks for posting it.
Hi Patrick, the best advice I can give you is listen to your body. It will tell you what it needs. It takes six weeks for your breast bone to heal, don't lift anything heavier than a 1/2 gallon of milk. Be careful at rehab and if you think you can't do something be sure to let everyone know. You are your best advocate. Having said that try to keep moving - walking is the best thing you can do. The more you move the better you will feel. It will take time until you feel like yourself again. Remember Time is your Friend. Be safe and God bless! Jim
Thank you so much I am now more prepared when my husband has his surgery that was the best explanation
You are very welcome! I wish for him a successful procedure, a speedy recovery, and may God Bless! Jim
I wish I would have seen this before my open heart surgery, they have helped when I came home and in the hospital. God Bless. Thank you
You are very welcome! Jim
Looking forward to my CABGx3 in two weeks. Thanks for the calm tips and insights.
Thank You Jim,for making the videos. I will be having OHS tomorrow (10/13/2022) to replace my Aortic valve and after watching your videos, I feel more prepared for the procedure.
Good luck tomorrow Michael! I'm happy the videos helped you to prepare. "Knowledge is Power" I wish for you a successful procedure and a speedy recovery. Good luck and may God Bless! Jim
Jim, . You are a wonderful resource. I am a nurse and loved watching your series, will recommend it to anyone going through CABG....I feel that you covered so many valuable points and bringing your expertise to the video. So many patients want to know that the person talking to them about the steps involved have been through it themselves. You are the Heart Guru, many thanks
Thank you Amy for your kind words. It is amazing to me just how many heart surgery patients and their families contact me from all over the world. Knowing that these videos have helped so many people makes me extremely happy. It is also very nice to get some praise from a nurse who deals with patients first hand and daily. I count many nurses as some of my closest friends. Thank you also for offering to share the videos with anyone you feel they may benefit. Jim
Great tips! Thanks for making this video!
You're welcome, Louis
Hi Jim,
Your presentation is invaluable. Every recovering CABG patient MUST be advised to watch. My experience after surgery very closely matches your narration. I would have been better prepared to recover instead of suffering for 10 long months after surgery. Thanks once again. God Bless.
These videos you make are SO GOOD! Thank you for the marvelous information that you have shared! It is so helpful to understand what a open heart surgery patient has to go through to heal! You do a marvelous job of explaining things!
I watch all four of the videos and feel I gained reassurance and knowledge. Thank you. I would love to see such high quality videos on robotic heart surgery, too. Thank you.
Thanks Jim, I enjoyed this video very much. It's been a week since my aortic valve repair and CABG. I've been home 3 days now. My hospital gave me all the same advice, which for me, is kind of overwhelming. It's always good to review as I certainly did not remember everything they told me.
I wish for you a speedy recovery, good luck and may God Bless! If any questions arise, just ask. Jim
Thanks for this information. Please put on more helpful videos.
Very helpful and informative. I am glad I saw these before my surgery
Thankyou so much,I am just done with my surgery on 1st march 2023,I know all the points you said will help a lot.
Video 4 will give you some helpful tips for your recovery. Let whomever is your caregiver watch the video also. It helps them to understand what you need. Let your body have some time to heal, and be patient. Remember not to lift anything heavier than a half gallon of milk because it takes about 6 weeks for your breastbone to heal. I wish for you a speedy recovery, and may God Bless. Jim
Hi Jim, thank you for a very informative series. my good friend Karen (74) is in icu now after heart surgery yesterday at MT Auburn Hospital in Cambridge Mass. in a matter of two weeks she found out shortness of breath was a huge warning sign. no other symptoms. she had a quadruple bypass and one valve replaced. thank you for all the information.
much appreciated. I am a cvicu nurse who recovers people post ohs. However now I am in need of it myself. it's good to hear from a patient what to expect when coming home. I'm expecting the worst and hoping for the best. thanks
Hi Mark, if you focus on videos 3 & 4 you will have all that you need to do fine. The little tricks help alot. Knowledge is Power! I wish for you a speedy recovery and may God Bless. Let me know how you make out after you get a little recovery time under your belt. And as always if you have any other questions just ask. Jim
Follow up: Went to ER July 6 with surgery next AM (someone got bumped). This video may have helped my wife understand what's going on with me more than anything else. Thank you, David
So informative!
Thank you !
You're welcome!
My surgery is not scheduled yet, but will be soon. Thank you for answering some of my questions. And thank you for helping me understand what to ask my doctor.
You're welcome! Good luck with your procedure, and may God Bless. Jim
This is really good advice. You may feel anxious to "get back to normal" in the early days of returning home, but dont try and overdo it. I did a bit of light gardening four weeks after and ended up back in hospital getting checked out. Take it easy, that's the trick! I had no appetite for weeks either, except for fresh pineapple and sour fruit. As for emotional lows, I wept like a child the day I went home, and diddnt want to leave the hospital.
I'm a couple weeks out from surgery and all I can think about is how soon I'll want to leave the hospital. I do not have a good track record with staying till they release me that's for sure. Hopefully I'll even out between the way you felt and how I normally am when my turn comes. I too am a gardener also, though it looks like this year I'll just have to skip it. I am envious of you having this surgery over and done, but look forward to being there for my family afterwards.