The usual length of stay in hospital is about 8-10 days if there are
complications. The stay may be longer, but is seldom less.
The first four to six weeks after leaving hospital has to be regarded as a
time of recovery. There is a wide variation in the rate at which different
people get better. This depends largely on the state of the patient before
operation, and is affected by age, state of nutrition, build, mental attitude
and home conditions.
A supply of medicines prescribed on leaving hospital will be given to
the patient and will need renewal by the General Practitioner. If the patient
is on Warfarin it will be necessary to have a blood test (thrombo test or
prothrombin time) performed soon after discharge. The hospital or the
General Practitioner will organise this for you.
There are usually no special recommendations about diet, but if a special
diet was prescribed before operation, it may need to be continued after.
Physical exercise should be gradually increased on common sense
lines, recognising that some days will be better that others. During this
period do not be ashamed to spend the morning in bed, or retire to bed in the
afternoon if tired by lunch time.
Expect aches and pains in the area of the chest wound. The
breast-bone, divided at operation, takes six weeks to heal like any other
bone. The chest muscles attached to it will pull and cause discomfort for a
variable time.
Some mild fever and sweating at night is quite common, but if
excessive, seek help from your doctor. Do not drive a car for six weeks after the operation; being driven and,
if necessary, air travel can be undertaken safely. If in any doubt, seek advice
physical exertion generally during this recovery period.
Sexual relations -apply the same common sense approach as to
Usually more than 50% of employable people are back at work within
three months of operation, and more than 80% by the end of one year.
Eighty per cent of those who go back to work do so in their previous jobs.
The speed of return to work depends more on how long the patient had
been out of work before operation than anything else, but clearly certain
types of heavy manual work may need a longer recovery period.
Special advice may be needed for special occupations, e.g., heavy
goods vehicle or public transport drivers, but this is available, and your
doctor will answer your specific questions.