After Discharge

NEW PATIENTS | CURRENT PATIENTS | BEFORE OPERATION | AFTER DISCHARGE

Walk a little more every day - this helps you regain strength.

Cough while supporting your incision - this helps your lungs.

Take your pain medicine as needed, especially before bedtime.

Elevate your legs above the level of your heart for one hour, three times a day - this reduces swelling in your legs.

Take your medicines as prescribed - they will likely be different.

Soreness is normal - it will lessen in a week or two.

Remember to call Dr. Pigott with any questions or problems.

Post-operative details

After you get home from the hospital, you will still be under Dr. Pigott's care with postoperative visits and telephone calls. However, you have a greater role in your recovery.

Walk daily and increase your distance a little every day.
This helps your body regain strength and helps you take deep breaths.

Be sure to cough while supporting your incision.
This helps keep your lungs expanded.

If you have a leg incision, elevate your legs above the level of your heart for one hour three times a day.
This will reduce swelling in your legs and permit healing to occur more rapidly.

Take your medicines as prescribed by Dr. Pigott.
They will probably be different than before your operation.

It is normal for your chest and leg to be sore.
With exercise and time, the soreness will lessen.

Take your pain medicine as prescribed.
This will help you walk, cough, and sleep. After a week or so, Tylenol is usually enough to relieve any discomfort.

Be sure to contact Dr. Pigott immediately if:

• your temperature is greater than 102 F.
• your incisions look more red than the day before
• you have difficulty breathing
• your pulse feels irregular

Congratulations!
Take care of your renewed heart. A great way to get back into shape after heart surgery is to go to Cardiac Rehab. Tulane's Cardiac Rehab is located in the Reily Center on the Uptown Campus. It's a perfect place to take care of yourself… and your heart.