Preparing for Bypass Surgery Post-Op Recovery

Hello & welcome to the forum. Both my father & brother had their aortic valves replaced & a bypass done. My dad was 72 & brother was 52 years old. By all means rent a hospital bed, they are not capable of getting in & out of a regular bed. You cannot pull on them either getting them up & down, the pain created by that would be incredible. My brother tried a recliner but it was too painful trying to push the lever to get the chair to recline, so they ended up renting a bed. Her dr can write on a prescription pad the need for the bed & insurance should cover it. If you have a standing shower, a cheap small plastic lawn chair works great in the shower. Having a back & arms to rest on is great. When she wakes up after surgery she should be given a small pillow to hold against her chest when coughing or getting up & down. It will not hurt her pressing it against her chest but that light pressure will sure help her moving. My dad had a bear & my brother was given a red heart. It is real important to keep her legs elevated to keep the swelling down. Just don't let her sit for long with her legs down. It is a big surgery although a very common one. Once she is released to go home be sure she is walked in the house as the dr recommends.

Please tell her we said good luck with her surgery. Take care.