Breast bone wiring

Strange question, I have been trying to find a bra to bring. Does the wound have a bandage when you leave? I cannot find a bra that is not constricting at the bust line. I am not well endowed in that area and really do not use them and had not planned on wearing one. Is it really necessary? Sharon

I am doing good. No more O2 and symptoms greatly reduced. Still get tired but no dizziness or passing out and very few SVT's. All in all, pretty good. Thanks for checking in!

Hi Sharon @oliviasoma ,
I went to TJ Maxx and got a 2-pack of lounge bras. Super soft. Easy to step into and pull up, which is important because sometimes it's hard to put your hands up over your head the first few days.
You definitely do not want underwire anywhere near your incision...which for me, when I left Mayo was open to air, no stiches and just gnarly looking. They do not want any lotions or oils or anything but liquid soap on the incision. I was instructed to shower everyday, use a clean wash cloth and liquid soap. I chose Dr. Bronner's peppermint soap because I have used it since the 1970s and love it.
If you don't normally wear a bra, my guess is you will be just fine without one...but I needed to just for my own personal comfort. It was like a security blanket.
I packed easy-on/easy-off clothing because the three days before you are doing all sorts of tests you have to take your top off for. MRI/Chest x-ray/heart cath...and slip on shoes made things easier too.

Glad to learn you are doing so much better @freedancer69.
Post op open heart surgery just takes time.
Time for your body to heal.
Time to get rid of all the chemicals used during surgery.
Time for your heart and your body to adjust to it's new way of beating free from obstruction.
When do you go back for another post op check in?

No @oliviasoma, I did not wait for 4 years...I waited for 24 years! I did not want to have surgery on my knee so I put it off!
It was terrible by the time I did have the surgery. The doctor said I waited way to long and it was just a mess.
I feel bad for you, because not only does HOCM interfere with your life, but having two bad knees does as well.
The decision to do knee surgery after open heart surgery is one your cardiologist will probably have to make the call on...I would assume (you know what that means!) that you will need cardiac clearance before any surgery from now on.

I worry about waiting to long. I have needed a knee replacement since 2015 but have just got used to the pain. When I tore my meniscus in the other knee that pain was not as tolerable so my orthopedic schedule outpatient repair. Heart dr cleared but had to be done in hospital outpatient where cardiologist available and not in the ortho outpatient clinic. Well, got to hospital, admitted, and all prepped. The anesthesiologist came in to talk and wanted to see my echo. Call my heart Dr who faxed it over to him. After discussion with other anesthesiologists in preop, they all came in my cubicle and said none were going to chance putting me under with my numbers regardless of heart Dr clearance. If emergency, it would be different but this was considered elective surgery and they were not going to sedate me. So, I got dressed and went home..no scope and tried PT. Pain less but still chronic in both knees. Ideally, heart dr wanted knees done first but you know what happens to best made plans. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciated the care and concern of the anesthesiologists, they were very kind and concerned and explained the problems they and I faced with sedation. I thanked them. My cardiologist was not impressed, he felt it was ok and suggested going to a different hospital which would have involved another orthopedic dr. But, that is kinda scary. Shop around until find someone who will do surgery. I just couldn’t. So we decided to move forward with heart surgery. I will just continue to deal with the knee pain until I can at least get a scope to fix the meniscus. That is what I mean when I say I have a high pain tolerance. Bieber, I am sure the pain from the heart surgery will be in my face and much different than the knee pain. I am just going to find my grit and muscle through. I pray the Lord is not going to give me more than I can bear..what doesn’t kill you, makes one stronger. I will do what I should, PT, OT, eat right, drink water, rest, walk, get stronger and hopefully be able to repair knees at the end of year or next year..finger crossed. Got to have goals. The whole idea of surgery scares me horrible. I have had two babies, a hysterectomy, and outpatient micro-back surgery in the last 46 years, so not really a pro by no means. But I do have the lord, a great support group, and my internal motivation to get my life back. I might be old but I want to enjoy the time I have left. I don’t have 24 years left to get knees fixed. 😁

I just finishing my seventh week from the surgery and I feel SO much better. I am having no dizziness, coughing or SOB with exertion so YES! I began cardiac rehab this week, and quickly realized I'm doing better than I have for over a year, even when I was on Camzyos. NO regrets! I had a little set back with pain when I caught a cold my 5th week - coughing and sneezing, but I just put the thoracic brace back on and used the pillow like I did the first weeks and made it through. It is so normal to be anxious before a major surgery, but I started practicing deep breathing exercises (actually I call them breath prayers) before I even went to Rochester. Whenever I found myself "listening" to fears, I just started those and it stopped. I received a card with the quote: "Faith is the refusal to panic". I had great trust in doctors, nurses, everyone at the Mayo Clinic, knowing I had chosen the best I could, and left the results in the Lord's hands. I also have a supportive family that reminded me this wasn't going to be a sprint, but a cross country run (I'm not a runner, but they are). Be patient with yourself, and trust in the decision you have made. I hope that helps and I'll definitely be thinking of you.

Can I ask how you were able to get Cardiac Rehab?? They told me that insurance would not cover the HOCM diagnosis. I could have used it as they messed up my back when they put me in position for the surgery.

There are no strange questions, @oliviasoma. Debra @karukgirl said it all! My experience was similar. At first, I had a plastic covering over the area, if I am remembering correctly, this kept the healing incision dry during the first post op shower. By the time I took my next shower it had been removed, and I was given a vial of antibacterial liquid soap for washing the incision. No stitches that I could see, the incision was glued. By the way, when you are discharged, be sure to have someone grab all of the bathroom items you had been given, they will discard them otherwise. I used the soap even after arriving home until it was gone. Now the bra - I did not wear one for quite a while. In my opinion, if you do not need to wear one, you will be most comfortable. See if you can choose tops or muumuus with busy patterns for your journey home, only the wearer will know for sure.

I am so, so glad you are doing well! I would think that if your cardiologist orders it because it is necessary, your insurance may take a different stance. My cardiologist wanted me to start cardio rehab about 2 weeks after surgery. He called the place near here and they called me - there was a 6 week wait. Meanwhile, Mayo contacted a place about a half hour ride away, they had over a 6 week wait. The 2 owners of the gym I go to had worked in the cardio rehab place, so in the meantime, gave me exercises to do.