--- title: Heart Surgery and Cardiac Rehab Preparation Tips description: Here are 14 ways you can prepare for heart surgery and the cardiac rehab that will follow. image: https://blog.hearthugger.com/hubfs/Blog%20Images/woman%20worried%20about%20heart%20surgery.jpg --- [![Tribute Media](https://blog.hearthugger.com/hubfs/Heart_Hugger_April2018%20Theme/Images/logo.png)](https://www.hearthugger.com) - [Contact](https://www.hearthugger.com/contact) toll free 800.798.2667 outside the U.S.408.395.2100 [![Home](https://blog.hearthugger.com/hubfs/logo-icon.png)](https://www.hearthugger.com) - [About Heart Hugger](https://www.hearthugger.com/about-heart-hugger) - [What is Heart Hugger](https://www.hearthugger.com/what-heart-hugger) - [Why Heart Hugger](https://www.hearthugger.com/why-heart-hugger) - [How To Use](https://www.hearthugger.com/how-to-use) - [Sizing and Fitting](https://www.hearthugger.com/sizing-and-fitting) - [Surgi Support Vest](https://www.hearthugger.com/surgi-support-vest) - [For Patients](https://www.hearthugger.com/patients) - [Heart Health](https://www.hearthugger.com/heart-health) - [Preparing for Surgery](https://www.hearthugger.com/preparing-for-surgery) - [After Your Surgery](https://www.hearthugger.com/after-your-surgery) - [Complications & Solutions](https://www.hearthugger.com/complications-solutions) - [Respiratory Complications](https://www.hearthugger.com/respiratory-complications) - [Sternal Wound Complications](https://www.hearthugger.com/sternal-wound-complications) - [Sternal Wound Stability (and the Pillow)](https://www.hearthugger.com/sternal-wound-stability) - [FAQs](https://www.hearthugger.com/faqs) - [For Healthcare Professionals](https://www.hearthugger.com/healthcare-professionals) - [Studies & Resources](https://www.hearthugger.com/studies-and-resources) - [Economic Implications of Complications](https://www.hearthugger.com/economic-implications-of-complications) - [Patient Compliance & The Clinical Pathway](https://www.hearthugger.com/patient-compliance-and-the-clinical-pathway) - [Tradeshows](https://www.hearthugger.com/tradeshows) - [How to Purchase](https://www.hearthugger.com/how-to-purchase) - [Find a Rep in Your Area](https://www.hearthugger.com/request-rep-information) - [Request Sample](https://www.hearthugger.com/request-sample) - [FDA & Medicare](https://www.hearthugger.com/fda-and-medicare) - [Blog](https://www.hearthugger.com/blog) - [Buy Now](https://www.hearthugger.com/products) *menu* menu [800.798.2667](tel:+18007982667) # Heart Surgery and Cardiac Rehab Preparation Tips Posted by [Heart Hugger](https://blog.hearthugger.com/author/heart-hugger) on Oct 18, 2017, 2:32:00 PM ![woman worried about heart surgery](https://blog.hearthugger.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog%20Images/woman%20worried%20about%20heart%20surgery.jpg?width=1240&name=woman%20worried%20about%20heart%20surgery.jpg "woman worried about heart surgery") With medical technology these days, these procedures can be considered somewhat “minor”; however, recovery time is not overnight. So proper preparation is key to a successful recovery.  ## Steps to Prepare for Heart Surgery: 1. Be sure to purchase/order a [Heart Hugger](https://www.hearthugger.com/about-heart-hugger) before your surgery, so you can be sure to enjoy the comfort and recovery benefits immediately after your surgery. 2. Compile a list of friends/family in advance who are willing to help. Assign one person to serve as coordinator of post-op visits/meals. Limit to no more than two visitors per day. 3. Purchase/rent/borrow a comfortable recliner. 4. Have extra pillows handy for when you can sleep in your bed again. This varies by patient, but I was in my bed the second night after I got home. For some, it’s weeks. 5. If your primary caretaker works have a back-up available, especially early on when it may be too painful to do simple tasks such as pulling a shirt over your head or opening a water bottle. 6. Suggest to friends that they bring/send you their favorite DVDs. This is also a great time to catch up on or watch a TV series. 7. Meditate. 8. Get a massage or two in the week prior to surgery. This will help blood flow more freely and keep you relaxed. 9. If possible, train on a pilates reformer for 1-3 months prior to surgery. I am almost convinced this is why I had minimal sternal pain post-op. A cheaper alternative would be floor pilates classes. 10. Having books and magazines on hand is great but make sure they are light reads. 11. Be prepared for disappointment and pleasant surprises. Some of the folks you think will be the biggest help will let you down and vice versa. 12. Be prepared for frustration and aggravation—hospital bills, insurance issues (especially with heart defects), normal things you cannot do, cabin fever due to exhaustion and not being able to drive for 4-6 weeks. Cabin fever may be less of a factor if you live in a city or a small town. I, unfortunately, did not. 13. Keep a blog, Facebook and/or Twitter page. These are a great alternative to replying to phone calls/emails when you’re exhausted. Facebook/Twitter is great for mini status updates and the blog for longer updates. I found my blog to be very therapeutic, too. 14. Find a support network. I used the ACHA Discussion Forum religiously and even found a few new friends!   These are just a few examples of how to prepare for heart surgery. Everyone will have a different recovery period so be sure to design your preparation around your interests.  - Please Share: [Heart Surgery Recovery](https://blog.hearthugger.com/topic/heart-surgery-recovery) ![Heart Hugger](https://blog.hearthugger.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Heart_Hugger_April2018%20Theme/Images/logo-icon.png?width=100&height=100&name=logo-icon.png) #### Written by [Heart Hugger](https://blog.hearthugger.com/author/heart-hugger) ### Please Leave a Comment: - Recent - Popular - Tags - [Heart Surgery Recovery (22)](https://blog.hearthugger.com/tag/heart-surgery-recovery) - [After Heart Surgery (16)](https://blog.hearthugger.com/tag/after-heart-surgery) - [Postoperative Care (15)](https://blog.hearthugger.com/tag/postoperative-care) - [Heart Health (12)](https://blog.hearthugger.com/tag/heart-health) - [Sternum Stabilization (9)](https://blog.hearthugger.com/tag/sternum-stabilization) - [Caring for Patients (8)](https://blog.hearthugger.com/tag/caring-for-patients) - [cardiac rehab (7)](https://blog.hearthugger.com/tag/cardiac-rehab) - [Sternal Dehiscence (6)](https://blog.hearthugger.com/tag/sternal-dehiscence) - [Preparing for Heart Surgery (5)](https://blog.hearthugger.com/tag/preparing-for-heart-surgery) - [Respiratory Splinting (4)](https://blog.hearthugger.com/tag/respiratory-splinting) - [Postoperative Bra (3)](https://blog.hearthugger.com/tag/postoperative-bra) - [sternotomy (3)](https://blog.hearthugger.com/tag/sternotomy) - [Heart Healthy Diet (2)](https://blog.hearthugger.com/tag/heart-healthy-diet) - [Managing Pain After Heart Surgery (2)](https://blog.hearthugger.com/tag/managing-pain-after-heart-surgery) - [Support Device (2)](https://blog.hearthugger.com/tag/support-device) - [Hospital Safety (1)](https://blog.hearthugger.com/tag/hospital-safety) - [Patient Safety (1)](https://blog.hearthugger.com/tag/patient-safety) see all ©2018  General Cardiac Technology, Inc. 6489 Camden Ave Suite 106 San Jose CA 95120 800.798.2667 Phone 408.395.2100 (outside the U.S) Fax: 408.395.2113 powered by Tribute Media [a web marketing agency](https://www.tributemedia.com) | [login](https://www.hearthugger.com/user) - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/hearthugger) - [Twitter](https://twitter.com/Heart_Hugger) - [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/heart-hugger) [Top](https://blog.hearthugger.com/heart-surgery-and-cardiac-rehab-preparation-tips#top) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "NewsArticle", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Heart Hugger" }, "datePublished" : "2017-10-18T21:32:00+0000 ", "description" : "Here are 14 ways you can prepare for heart surgery and the cardiac rehab that will follow. 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