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Comfort Questions for Upcoming Septal Myectomy

Posted by hcmhope @hcmhope, Aug 24 10:16pm

Hello,

My son is scheduled to have Septal Myectomy in 2 weeks at USC Keck in LA. For the 4-8 weeks of recovery period, I thought having a big Wedge pillow or a mattress raising triangle may be helpful to sit up during the day time. For those who have gone through it, what do you think?

I was also thinking getting a Bedside Rolling Overbed Table to help watching movies etc on an iPad, plus use to eat meals etc. Is this recommended, or is it better for him to sit at a regular couch to watch movies?

Any other items recommendations from your experience?

Thanks for your help!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) Support Group.

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Mentor
Debra, Volunteer Mentor | @karukgirl | Sep 5 10:09am
In reply to @mbi "Debra, Thank you so much for helping with questions we might have! I’m having a septal..." + (show)
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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

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Hi @mbi, thank you for your kinds words! I'm with @walkinggirl, I never heard of these contraptions before either!
It sounds like a cool idea, however, and if I ever need open heart surgery again, I'll be looking in to it. @walkinggirl gave you a great tip, and perhaps either of the two members mentioned will respond, or you can reach out.
Mayo Clinic Rochester, affectionately known as "The Mother Ship" is likely aware of the newest things available for recovery from open heart surgery...may I suggest that the next time you have a chance to correspond with your care team through the patient portal...you ask them? I bet they know too.
All the best to you @mbi. You simply could not be in a better place.
The nurses are like angels and will be taking care of you and making your post op days easier.
Are you packed?
Got your list of questions?
Connect is here for you!

REPLY
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ginabassford | @ginabassford | Sep 5 2:01pm
In reply to @walkinggirl "These recent postings are the first time I heard of a soft chest brace. I did..." + (show)
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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!

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The nurses first gave me a floral thing that wrapped around me and connected with Velcro. I asked for the other brace because I had read about it on here. It made sleeping so much more comfortable! When I coughed, I could kind of pull it together in the front and it was like better than the heart pillow.

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ginabassford | @ginabassford | Sep 5 2:04pm

This is a bad picture, but I am wearing the brace here about a week after my surgery. It is partially obscured by the heart pillow though.

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joyrcc | @joyrcc | Sep 6 11:15am

@brumasterj - maybe it is just for women? Good question to ask. Totally agree about the whole staff at St. Mary's being the best. I am so glad I went there for this procedure and my sense of trust in their guidance. I wish it could be duplicated back here at home.

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ginabassford | @ginabassford | Sep 7 12:56pm
In reply to @brumasterj "I wander if its for women? I had my myectomy done at the same place 11..." + (show)
Profile picture for brumasterj @brumasterj

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!

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It is for men and women. When I first saw it online, a man was wearing it. It was not offered to me, but I requested it. The initial one didn’t fit well, so I asked for another, and they for it for me. It was through a long ago posting on this forum that I saw it and thought to request it.

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