Hi Kevin. I would hope that a nurse or your doctor could provide more information for you. Please reach out to them. I can tell you your recovery will be very individual for you. A lot depends on your overall physical health at this point, your activity level. other health concerns, and to some extent your age, but I have known a friend in his 80's who recovered quite nicely within weeks, though he did have some problems because he tried to do too much and did not think it would be as difficult as it was for him.
Again, each case is individual, and many of us on here have had OHS for bypass, (as myself--I am 64 yrs old), or valve replacement or Aortic repair, so some things may vary. Myself, I was only in the hospital 3 1/2 days including the day of surgery. Everyone has heart monitor of course, arterial line in the wrist to monitor blood pressure and draw blood samples, an IV line and what they call an introducer in the neck, (jugular vein), which in your case may also include a line to monitor the pressures inside your atrium. You will have 2 chest drains or tubes from the bottom part of your chest, and they will monitor how much blood and fluids are coming from the area of your surgery. In my case, those came out the end of the 2nd or 3rd day. Since they are operating on your atrium, you may have a temporary pacemaker connected or have an irregular heartbeat after surgery if you don't already have that. I had 2 small wires in my skin on my chest, but they did not have to use them for a pacemaker and they were removed the day I went home.
You will have a breathing tube for hopefully a short time. Mine was only in for 2 hours after surgery, but some people require longer period of time. Fortunately, they were wonderful and gave me enough sedation that I wasn't uncomfortable with the tube but not so much that I couldn't wake up and breathe on my own. I really don't remember any of that time except right before they pulled the tube, yet my wife said I was signing to her for some time.
You will have a catheter to monitor your urine output and usually includes a sensor to monitor your temperature. You may have several IV drips to regulate your blood pressure and fluid status, and they will monitor you continuously.
As I said, I am not familiar with the differences for your particular surgery, but with my bypass, I was up in the chair the first night, then spent most of the days up in the chair and walking in the hall 3 times per day, which got easier the farther along I was and the more tubes were removed.
Since you are actually having part of your atrium removed, you may have a slightly longer recovery, so please don't be discouraged if you don't progress as quickly as you would expect. Your doctor's office is the
very best place to get advice on what to expect in your case. Please call them. They should have someone who can speak with you and your wife and give you details on what to expect with this particular operation, plus they will know your current health status. You can discuss with them the possibility of needing to go to a rehab facility for a short time as well. In my case, I came directly home.
The weeks after your surgery, you will be gradually increasing your activity level and once your sternum is healed, (6-8 weeks), you will be able to do more as far as lifting and such. I am 6 1/2 weeks out and I am walking 2-3 miles per day, exercising in cardiac rehab and driving again, (for the past week).
Best of luck on your surgery and recovery, and please keep in touch and let us know how you are doing!
Dennis
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Dennis Danner
Retired RN
[Punta Gorda, FL
[Phone]
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Original Message:
Sent: 05-30-2021 13:28
From: kevin roth
Subject: what to expect
Hello, I'm going in for OHS soon to remove a tumor in my atrium. I'm wondering what to expect after the surgery. I don't know how long I will be in the ICU, what tubes and wires I will be connected to, and how long I'll have to stay in the hospital. I'm also worried that I'll be a burden to my wife after I come home and am considering asking to be taken to a rehab/nursing home after I'm released. Has anyone here recently had OHS and would like to share their experience with me? Thanks Kevin
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kevin roth
retired
athens NY
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