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Sternum healing after surgery/ how long the pain lasts

Posted by schanwin @schanwin, Aug 28 9:45pm

How long does it take for the pain to subside from open heart surgery. It is 8 weeks since I had a surgery for aneurysm repair and still have soreness and mild pain.

Pain is not continuous to impact my activities. I feel it as soon as I get out of bed and at times randomly. Just want to get a feel of the average time it takes to heal.

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bignelie | @bignelie | Oct 22 5:16pm

Small update:
I am 5 weeks out, been following the tube rules, have basically lifted nothing and my pain has been small. Still have some issues with cough or sneeze or laugh but not to bad. I will say I find wearing shirts irritate things.

My sternum is healing well but not all feeling has come back into my chest muscles. I asked the surgeon about time frames and while 4 to 6 weeks is for safe zone for sternum healing really it usually takes a full 2 to 3 months for complete healing of the bone. They said I might experience issues that long.

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celaud | @celaud | Oct 23 12:30pm
In reply to @bignelie "Small update: I am 5 weeks out, been following the tube rules, have basically lifted nothing..." + (show)
Profile picture for bignelie @bignelie

Small update:
I am 5 weeks out, been following the tube rules, have basically lifted nothing and my pain has been small. Still have some issues with cough or sneeze or laugh but not to bad. I will say I find wearing shirts irritate things.

My sternum is healing well but not all feeling has come back into my chest muscles. I asked the surgeon about time frames and while 4 to 6 weeks is for safe zone for sternum healing really it usually takes a full 2 to 3 months for complete healing of the bone. They said I might experience issues that long.

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@bignelie
My surgery was in March, 25th
I never had pain, except by coughing.
I can sleep on both sides now.
The feeling is still kind of numb. I'm sure, that's normal.
I'm more than happy with the outcome.

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bonnie73 | @bonnie73 | Oct 24 7:04pm
In reply to @mleiva1234 "Did anyone have trouble breathing while in the ICU or have an afib episode from excessive..." + (show)
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Did anyone have trouble breathing while in the ICU or have an afib episode from excessive coughing?

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@mleiva1234 I had AAA surgery on September 29th. I also had a week and a half later there (never got out the first time) a 2nd surgery for repair of decending aneurysm which had grown 1 cm in the time I had the first surgery. Was in for 2 1/2 weeks… however, I also have trouble catching my breath.. first every 3 words and coughing to catch my breath .. I’ve been home about a week and two days and it’s better;however, still having lots of trouble. I know they did a heart bypass and pulmonary bypass I believe.. (had the whole AAA replaced with cover) I think they call Elephant procedure. This has been for me the worst part of recovering. I can’t wait until it goes away and then I think I will do ok. So tired now but came out anemic as well so trying to eat better to regain strength. Sorry to hear you are having trouble breathing as well. It’s hard but as I am a bit better every day I have hope. Hopefully you will see that too. @bonnie73

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bonnie73 | @bonnie73 | Oct 24 7:07pm
In reply to @bonnie73 "@mleiva1234 I had AAA surgery on September 29th. I also had a week and a half..." + (show)
Profile picture for bonnie73 @bonnie73

@mleiva1234 I had AAA surgery on September 29th. I also had a week and a half later there (never got out the first time) a 2nd surgery for repair of decending aneurysm which had grown 1 cm in the time I had the first surgery. Was in for 2 1/2 weeks… however, I also have trouble catching my breath.. first every 3 words and coughing to catch my breath .. I’ve been home about a week and two days and it’s better;however, still having lots of trouble. I know they did a heart bypass and pulmonary bypass I believe.. (had the whole AAA replaced with cover) I think they call Elephant procedure. This has been for me the worst part of recovering. I can’t wait until it goes away and then I think I will do ok. So tired now but came out anemic as well so trying to eat better to regain strength. Sorry to hear you are having trouble breathing as well. It’s hard but as I am a bit better every day I have hope. Hopefully you will see that too. @bonnie73

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@mleival234
Ps I also had afib while in.

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