Important wayfinding information for patients visiting the CONNECT Clinic »

A guide for patients having coronary artery bypass surgery
Hospital  >  Care Programs  >  Schulich Heart Program  >  Patient and family education  >  Tests and treatments  >  Coronary artery bypass surgery guide  >  Care after your coronary artery bypass surgery
PAGE
MENU

In-hospital care after your surgery

How will I feel after my surgery?

After the surgery is done, you will wake up in the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU). When you wake up, you may notice a lot of tubes and equipment. Please do not be concerned; a nurse will be tending to you and the equipment.

Inpatient progress tracker

Your health-care team will help you get moving throughout your stay in the CVICU and inpatient unit. You can our printable checklist to track your progress. The progress tracker follows our expected pathway to recovery, but recovery is different for each person. Please do not be discouraged if your progress isn’t exactly as shown.

Download the inpatient progress tracker


Getting moving

Getting moving after surgery can help prevent some common complications such as pneumonia, blood clots in the legs, and muscle weakness or stiffness. Your nurse will help you sit over the edge of the bed and dangle your feet within the first 8 hours after your surgery. They will also help you sit in a chair for all your meals.

On the first day after surgery, a physiotherapist will assess you and assist you with deep breathing, coughing, exercises and general mobility.

 

While in hospital

In the days after your surgery, it is normal to experience some discomfort. This is temporary. During your inpatient stay at Sunnybrook, your health-care team will work with you to get you the care you need.


Preparing to go home

Your health-care team has evaluated your progress since your operation and has decided that you are ready to leave the hospital. By the time you are discharged you should be able to take frequent walks around the inpatient unit on your own and have a shower.

The recovery period after you leave is individual and can last for 6 to 12 weeks. How long you spend recovering depends on your age, activity level before surgery, general health and your progress in hospital. Do everything in moderation.

We recommend someone be available at home to assist you. You will feel tired, and normal tasks such as showering or preparing food might be more challenging than usual. To let your breastbone heal, you will not be allowed to lift anything greater than 2.3 kilograms (5 pounds) – which is almost everything.