Comfort Questions for Upcoming Septal Myectomy

Hi im just 10 weeks post septal myectomy! Im a 57 year old active male and im still pretty sore in the chest still cant extend arms to lift or pull
Getting in and out of bed was miserable the first 2-3 weeks i cant sleep in a recliner so suffered each night going to bed once i got into position i was ok
The biggest thing i felt i needed after my surgery was physical therapy maybe because im pretty active and felt it would have helped me!
Every one is different for sure and the heart pillow they give your son will come in handy when he laughs, coughs, or sneezes! Hope he can control his sneezes cause it feels like everything is being ripped from the inside!
Best of luck to him and all who have this done!
It really is not as bad as i make it sound its just some of the things yku deal with

I am 7 weeks post septal myectomy. I suggest LOTS of pillows that are soft. The only comfort I could initially get was when my husband got my elbows and arms comfortable by my side. I didn’t realize how much it helped until we stumbled upon it. Also, it helped to elevate my knees. I am just now starting to feel a little more normal, although my chest is still sore. Oh, please request the soft chest brace. I did, and I wore it the first 6 weeks. It was extremely helpful to me. It made me feel like I was being held together.

Oh, and as to where he should sit to eat, watch TV, etc…honestly, it is wherever he may feel most comfortable at that particular moment. It was different for me at different times. I never got a tray table, but I had table space beside my lift recliner. That recliner was the best investment I made.

I am 5 months out and I agree with @ginabassford on the thoracic soft brace. It made both sleeping and reclining so much more comfortable!

Thank you for some really helpful suggestions! Where can we get the soft chest brace that you mentioned?

Where can I get that brace? Does the hospital give it to you?

Debra,
Thank you so much for helping with questions we might have!
I’m having a septal myectomy
On September 26th at Mayo in Rochester , Minnesota. Someone mentioned how helpful a soft chest brace was post surgery. Will the hospital send me home with one? Thanks!
Mary

These recent postings are the first time I heard of a soft chest brace. I did not have one after my septal myectomy nor do I remember wishing I had anything to help "keep things in place." We are all different, I found that the staff at Mayo was so, so, so, very helpful when items were needed to assist in recovery. Perhaps @ginabassford and @joyrcc can inform you about where they obtained their chest braces. It was suggested that I purchase a walker before leaving Mayo, used it just for a couple of weeks when walking outside. If you can borrow one, you will have it handy if you do need one temporarily. Mary, wishing you a speedy recovery from your upcoming surgery!

It was offered to me at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, in the cardiac unit, post myectomy and was described as a thoracic "hug". It is a vest made of heavy cotton, padded strips that run outside the chest incision and closed with lateral Velcro strips so adjustable for your comfort. It made wearing a seatbelt home manageable and as I said earlier, sleeping, and just general movement so much more tolerable the first 5 weeks. It helped keep my abd pads across my incision in place as well. I wore it over my shirts but I think it could be worn under if it was a loose shirt. As has been said, everyone is different, but it made a huge difference in comfort for me. Hope that helps.

I wander if its for women? I had my myectomy done at the same place 11 weeks ago and was not offered it.
The whole staff there at St Marys was the best! They should be what people in the health care should strive to be like!