Product Description:
Introduction
This book can help you get ready for heart surgery.
You will not only learn about the surgery itself, but
you will also find out how to get your mind and
body ready for it. Share Going For Heart Surgery
with your family. It will answer many of your questions and help
you think of others to ask your doctor or nurse. Do not feel fool-
ish for asking questions or saying what you are feeling. The more
you know about what to expect, the easier your recovery will be.
Table of Contents
Can I Get Through It?...........................................6-7
About Heart Surgery...........................................8-15
Coronary artery bypass surgery...........................9-10
Valve surgery.............................................. 11-13
Atrial septal defect............................................ 14
Aneurysm of the heart muscle.............................. 14
Incisions....................................................... 15
Be Kind To Your Body....................................... 16-19
Eat well......................................................... 16
Rest............................................................. 17
Exercise........................................................ 17
Stop Smoking............................................. 18-19
The Hospital...................................................20-23
When to arrive................................................ 20
Things to tell.................................................. 20
Things to ask.................................................. 21
Tests, patient history, medicines........................... 22
Informed consent............................................. 23
Before Surgery.................................................24-26
Cleaning your skin............................................ 24
Removing body hair.......................................... 24
Medicines...................................................... 25
Nothing to eat or drink (NPO)............................... 25
Things for your family to ask................................ 26
Going To Surgery.............................................27-29
What you wear................................................ 27
How long will it take?......................................... 28
Waking up..................................................... 28
Pain............................................................. 28
Visits from your family....................................... 29
Equipment Used..............................................30-33
Breathing tube............................................ 31-32
Other equipment......................................... 32-33
Getting Back To Normal....................................34-45
Getting out of bed........................................ 35-36
Relaxation..................................................... 37
Breathing and coughing exercises...................... 38-40
Leg exercises.................................................. 41
Walking........................................................ 42
Support stockings............................................43
Sitting in a chair..............................................44
The blues...................................................... 45
Moving Right Along.............................................. 46
Space for notes................................................ 47