Heart transplant recovery: What to expect?

@estrada53 Recovery is individual but I think you would have to be bionic to not lose some muscle during recovery. I worked out a lot, almost right up to transplant -- I had to stop 3 or 4 weeks before it. Then of course after transplant, I had to wait to heal and recover. By the time I was finally able to return to the gym and to the pool, I could really feel a huge difference.
I was told by a hospitalist at one point, that for each day you are in the hospital it takes about 4 days to recover! I presume that is true for recovery time also.
JK

So true on the loss of muscle mass i celebrate 2 years today and i do work out 5 days a week but it has been a long road getting my fitness level back to where it was. So keep plugging its all worth it.

@danab, Happy Transplant Anniversary! I hope that you had an enjoyable day. Did you do anything special?

Thanks Rosemary, i had a beautiful day went to Church and was congraulated by all the great people that stood by me with there prayers and comfort during those months in the hospital and after. It can't be said enough that a great support system is crucial to a successful transplant. Of course i give double thanks to my Wife and Primary Caregiver and all the great support from the Mayo Doctors, Nurses, aides, dietary, social workers and all the behind the scenes people involved. But top of my list is God who i feel was the sole reason i got a new Heart and i thank God for people who even during there loss donate there loved ones Organs. So my 2 year check-up is the 21st and i don't expect any issues. I also always try and stop by and see some of the Nurses on duty and check-in i usually see one or two i remember.

@danab I feel the same way, there were so many people praying for me that I’m sure that must have been a huge help. It really is a miracle and a blessing to be well again.
JK

@danab, Thank you for sharing your anniversary here on Connect. All of us transplant folks either. are or have been on long difficult journeys, and I think it if fitting and appropriate to celebrate our victories! I wish you and your wife many more celebrations. Life is good.

In this 6/1 I we’ll be 25 years out, I had my transplant in Salt Lake City in the now closed LDS hospital. I lost a lot of strength coming out of transplant because of prednisone it’s hard on the leg muscles, I don’t think I ever got all my strength back but i’m 63 now so remember your also aging now and that isn’t easy on anybody. If I can just say you got your life back enjoy it with your loved ones and make the best of it God bless you on your journey and enjoy your life, make the most of it
With love and best wish’s RK Clayton

Thanks for your realistic info. I am hopefully getting my kidney transplant soon when my live donor completes her physical.

Both myself. And granddaughter have both recovered and doing great. Yes we both were prescribed tamiful and it worked great, in fact I am at her house waiting for her to come home from school to celebrate her birthday today, I expect no problems and wonderful day she will be 9, something I never expected to see. God bless you all on this wonderful journey.
RK Clayton alias Chugly

@chugly11, I think that you have found a terrific 'new' normal! I want say how much I enjoyed hearing about your celebratory cruise after your heart transplant and recovery. However, I especially like the birthday celebration with your granddaughter. I also have a granddaughter. She recently turned 7, and is an added bonus since my transplant. (liver/kidney 2009) I'm happy to hear how you are enjoying your life.

What did you do when your hospital closed?
And what kind of routine tests do you have to undergo now that you will be 25 years out? Are they the same or different from other years? (From my kidney perspective, I had my last protocol kidney biopsy at my 10 year eval, so I am just wondering)