After heart surgery, the condition of the lungs is a primary concern. When the EET tube is removed, to assist in your recovery, you must cough and breathe deeply. Coughing helps to prevent congestion, a major complication of heart surgery.

In order to prevent lung complications and help you clear your lungs you will receive chest physio therapy. This consists of percussion or clapping on your back followed by deep breathing and coughing. Your nurse and physical therapist will do this.

It is important at this time to frequently use the incentive spirometer  (and continue use at home), a device that will measure your progress in taking deep breaths. You will continue to use the incentive spirometer throughout your hospital stay.

While recovery time varies from person to person, most patients are able to breathe on their own on the first day of surgery. Chest X – Ray will be taken daily to monitor the progress of your lungs.  The chest incision may make coughing and deep breathing painful though coughing will not harm your incision. You will be given adequate pain relief.

After breathing tube is removed, you will be able to drink sips of liquids. Your diet will be progressed to clear fluids when your nurse and doctor feel you are ready. Other foods will be added as your tolerance increases. Good Nutrition is essential for your healing so it is important during this period to try to eat a healthy diet and make sure your protein and calorie intake is as high as possible, as recommended by your dietician and doctor. After an operation, most patient loose their appetite and also find that their stomach and digestive system are rather sluggish for a few days. If you start taking adequate quantities of fluid, the intravenous drip lines will be removed.

Do not worry if you experience indigestion or a little abdominal swelling in the first few days or are unable to eat everything you are served. Just try to eat something at every meal. Let your nurse know if you experience nausea or do not feel like eating, she may be able to offer some assistance in relieving your discomfort. Bowel action is sluggish after anesthesia and operation but this soon settles. If required, your nurse will give a mild laxative.

You may be surprised to know that mobilization begins soon after the heart surgery. Early mobilization aids recovery. The physiotherapist will first help you to walk around your bed, on the 2^nd day of surgery. Gradually, you will be helped to walk longer distances and finally taken around the ward. During the initial mobilization attempts you will find a good deal of stiffness around your shoulders and chest. This is the natural consequence of having a surgical incision on your breastbone.

Gradually your physical therapist will teach stretching and progressive walking programs. When you do your required exercises you can literally cushion the pain caused by breathing and coughing by holding a pillow firmly against your chest, over the incision.

Also patients who had a vein removed from the leg for coronary graft surgery may find the leg and ankle swollen up. For this, special stockings or crepe bandages encourage good circulation of blood through your legs. Nurses will advise you regarding the use and care of these stockings.