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Why do I feel down or emotional after surgery?
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Going home
The first weeks at home are about walking a little more each day, protecting your breastbone, and watching for problems. Check your temperature and weight each day and bring the log to your follow-up visits.
Common and expected: a reduced appetite, trouble sleeping at first, constipation, sore chest and shoulder muscles, a tender lump at the incision that fades, and leg swelling if a vein was taken from the leg.
Call your care team for a temperature over 100°F twice in 24 hours, weight gain of more than two pounds a day for two days in a row, or increasing redness, swelling or pain at an incision. For chest pain that worsens or any emergency, call 911.
Driving, lifting and work
General guidance after heart surgery: no driving for about six weeks (riding as a passenger is fine), no lifting, pushing or pulling more than 10 pounds for six weeks, and light work in about six to 12 weeks. Sex can usually resume once you feel comfortable.
When I close your breastbone with rigid plates, I release you from sternal precautions at 6 weeks. How rigid sternal fixation works.
Cardiac rehab
Cardiac rehab is a supervised program of exercise, education and emotional support. Most programs meet three times a week for 8 to 12 weeks, in person or virtually, and it can improve your recovery, strength and quality of life while lowering the risk of future heart problems.
The emotional side
Mood swings and sadness are common after heart surgery and usually improve as you heal. If you notice signs of anxiety or depression, tell your care team — it’s part of recovery, and help is available.
Keeping your heart healthy for the long run
Take your medicines, don’t smoke, keep blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes under control, eat a heart-healthy diet and stay active. These habits help bypass grafts and new valves last.
Sources for this section: American Heart Association — How can I recover from heart surgery? · Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center — What to expect after cardiac surgery · Mayo Clinic — Cardiac rehabilitation · Ochsner Health — What is CABG surgery?
Common questions
When can I drive, lift and go back to work?
General guidance from the American Heart Association after heart surgery: no driving for six weeks (riding as a passenger is fine — stop to walk every two hours), no lifting, pushing or pulling more than 10 pounds for six weeks, and light work in about six to 12 weeks. Sex can usually resume once you feel comfortable, often two to four weeks after leaving the hospital.
When I close your breastbone with rigid plates, I release you from sternal precautions at 6 weeks. Your own plan depends on your operation, so we go over it before you leave.
Source: American Heart Association — How can I recover from heart surgery?
What’s normal at home, and when should I call?
Common and expected: a reduced appetite for a few weeks, trouble sleeping at first, constipation, sore chest and shoulder muscles, and leg swelling if a vein was taken from the leg.
Call your care team for a temperature over 100°F twice in 24 hours, weight gain of more than two pounds a day for two days in a row, or increasing redness, swelling or pain at an incision. For chest pain that worsens or any emergency, call 911.
Source: American Heart Association — How can I recover from heart surgery?
Do I need cardiac rehab?
It’s recommended after bypass and valve surgery. Programs usually run three one-hour sessions a week for 8 to 12 weeks, and can start once you’re home.
