| FAQs
About Cardiac Surgery
Patient Pre-operative Questions
Patient Post-operative Questions
Where do I go for the surgery?
A nurse from the surgeon's office will call to let
you know what time to arrive in pre-admission testing
the morning of surgery.
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How do I prepare for the surgery?
Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the
night before the surgery. Shower with antibacterial
soap, given to you, the night before and the morning
of surgery. You will be instructed on which medications
to take the morning of surgery.
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How long is the surgery?
In general, bypass, valve, and aortic surgeries
take three hours to complete. Your family may not see
you for six to eight hours. It takes several hours to
prepare you for surgery and to observe you after surgery
before you family can visit.
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How long will I stay in the hospital?
Generally, you will stay in the hospital four to six
days. You will spend one to two days in the intensive
care unit, then you will go to the 3rd floor Telemetry
unit for the rest of your recovery.
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What are the visiting hours?
The intensive care unit phone number is (708) 216-8591
and visiting hours are: 10-11 a.m., 1-2 p.m., 4-5 p.m.
and 8-9 p.m. The Telemetry unit phone number is (708)
216-4018 and visiting hours are: 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
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Patient Post-operative Questions
Are there stitches that need to be removed?
Most often, the stitches are under the skin and will dissolve.
On occasion, stitches or staples are used and will need
to be removed ten to fourteen days after your surgery.
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What activities can I do at home?
You will be expected to walk three times a day,
gradually increasing your distance everyday.
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Will I have any restrictions?
You will not be able to drive for 4-6 weeks or lift
anything heavier than 10 pounds for six weeks. You will
not be able to swim, take tub baths or soak in a Jacuzzi
for six weeks or play golf for two months
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When can I return to work?
Most patients take four or six weeks off of work to
recover. Some patients go back to work part-time two
to three weeks after surgery depending on their job.
Your cardiologist will determine when you will be able
to return to work.
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What doctor's appointment will I
have?
You will have an appointment at the surgery clinic for
an incision check one to two weeks after you discharge.
You will also be instructed to follow up with your cardiologist
two weeks after your discharge from the hospital.
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Who do I call if I have questions
or problems?
You should call the cardiovascular surgery office and
ask to talk with the nurse practitioner. The phone number
is (708) 327-2503.
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