Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

After Surgery

Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery
Peer Review Status: Internally Peer Reviewed

Consults
A physical therapist will design an exercise program to guide your recovery.

A dietician and cardiac physical therapist will see you during your hospital stay.

Treatments / Interventions

• Your vital signs and oxygen levels will be checked at least every 1-4 hours.
• You will need to use the breathing machine, cough, and deep breathe every 1-2 hours. The nurse may lower the head of your bed and clap on your back. This moves fluid out of your lungs.
• Your heart will be monitored.
• You will need to save all your urine. We will keep track of how much you drink. Your fluid intakes may be limited.
• You will be weighed daily.
• The dressing over your incision(s) will be removed.
• The tube in your bladder will be removed in the afternoon / evening of, the day following surgery..
• On day three, your pacing wires will be removed and you will be able to shower.

Tests
Blood work will be drawn on a daily basis and you will have a chest x-ray and EKG prior to discharge.

Medications

• The pills you took before surgery will be adjusted as needed.
• You may be given a pill to help your heart pump easier.
• You will receive a stool softener and mild laxative to help you have a bowel movement.
• Additional laxatives and pain meds will be available, if needed.
• You will be asked:
• To identify your level of pain on a pain scale of 0-10.
• To identify an acceptable level for pain control on a pain scale of 0 to 10.

Diet

• Your first meal will be clear liquids (Jell-O, broth, juices)
• If this goes well, your next meal will be solid food.
• It will be low cholesterol, no added salt for bypass patients.
• It will be no added salt for valve patients.
• It may be lower in added sugar than what you are used to if you are diabetic.

Activity

• You will sit in a chair 20-30 minutes at bedside, the day after surgery, then you will advance to longer periods later in your hospital stay.
• You will walk the first day after surgery.
• The cardiac rehabilitation team will work with you two times per day.
• You will be expected to walk in the hallway four times per day.
• You may work on stairs with physical therapist.

Teaching
You will be instructed on and expected to comply with the following directives:

A 5 pound limit for pushing, pulling, or lifting

Getting in and out of bed correctly

Using your breathing machine every 1-2 hours

Information and assistance will be given on stopping smoking - if needed.

Discharge Planning
A social worker will be called if you have any special home care needs.

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