Cardiothoracic Surgery
When surgery is the best option for treating your heart condition, Benefis Heart and Vascular Institute provides the latest minimally invasive and traditional open procedures.
What to Expect with Your Heart or Vascular Surgery
If you will be having heart or vascular surgery, your doctor and others on your care team will answer your questions and give specific instructions about how to prepare. You will receive information such as:
- When to stop eating and drinking before the procedure.
- Which of your regular medications you should stop taking and when.
- When you should arrive at the Heart and Vascular Institute.
- How long you are likely to stay after your procedure.
- What to expect during your recovery.
- When you should return for follow-up care.
As you are recovering at home from your surgery, try to get plenty of rest and eat a variety of heathy foods. Depending on your specific surgery, your doctor may advise you to avoid certain activities for a while. You should also be aware of symptoms that could signal problems. You should call your doctor if you have:
- A fever over 100.4º F.
- Shortness of breath or trouble breathing.
- Fast or irregular heartbeat.
- Dizziness or fainting.
- Chest pain.
- Sudden weight gain of more than two pounds in one day or five pounds in a week.
- Swelling of your hands or feet.
- Redness, swelling, or oozing at the site of your incision.
- Nausea or abdominal pain that doesn’t go away.
