Climbing Stairs?

[brocansky]

Hello Post-Surgery Heroes!

I have a biscupid aortic valve replacement and aortic root replacement surgery scheduled for Jan 13. I live in a two story house and I'm wondering if I'll be able to climb the stairs after I return from the hospital. I am hoping to be able to climb the stairs once in the morning and once at night (just to wake up and go to bed, I'll be sleeping downstairs during the daytime). Can you give me a realistic picture of what type of condition I'll be in when I get home from the hospital?

Thanks so much and cheers to all of you who are recovering!!
-Michelle

[OldManEmu]

Michelle it depends how quickly after surgery you are discharged from hospital. I was in extremely poor condition with class 4 heart failure before surgery and I was able to walk around the hospital reasonably after 6-7 days. I certainly feel I could of walked up 1 floor of stairs, not quickly but taking my time after this time. I wouldn't have wanted to do it all day, going up will be the harder bit, coming down shouldn't be a problem. Remember you chest will be only wired together at this stage so you wouldn’t want to fall or slip and have to grab the hand rail. :eek: Your chest will be sore but not painful, but any sort of strain on your arm is transferred to your chest and this does hurt especially for the first 3-4 weeks post surgery. Your chest will not fully heal for 3 months however most of the soreness will be gone after 6 weeks. You will get tired in the afternoon and will most likely need a nap for the first 2 weeks home. I found I could sleep in a bed from day one but others find a recliner easier. I found getting out of the recliner harder than getting out of bed. :confused: Good luck with the surgery on the 13th. :)

[geebee]

Michelle,

You should plan on NOT being able to climb stairs by having an area set up for your recovery on the first floor. A recliner would be best or a couch with lots of pillows. Near the bathroom is always helpful. I was not able to climb stairs for a couple of weeks but everyone is different. You may be able to climb stairs but you should plan for not being able to climb stairs just in case. You will know better at the time of your release but, if you plan ahead, you won't have to do any last minute changes if you are unable to climb.

[rbl1999]

Hi, I also agree not to plan on climbing stairs right away. I slept in a recliner for the first 2 weeks, I would have a set up on the first floor so that you do not even have to think about climbing stairs. Most people here will agree that a recliner is a life saver, I still refer to mine as my "security blanket".. Rose

[JimL]

I'll provide the contrarian viewpoint.

I was warned upon leaving the hospital not to climb stairs. So I made careful preparations before going down to my basement office, mainly making sure I had the urinal handy, since the bathroom is upstairs. It wasn't long (first day home) before I found myself taking the stairs two at a time as usual -- I didn't plan on doing that, just found myself doing that. Why, then, did they warn me not to climb stairs?

Because they treated me in so many ways like a bypass patient instead of a heart valve patient. A bypass patient may well have veins stripped from the legs, which makes stair climbing rather painful, I'm told. I was also warned not to shovel snow, and was frequently accused of putting too much salt on my food (I never put any on).

If in your case there is any special reason to avoid stairs, then make your plans accordingly. It wouldn't be a bad idea to plan ahead anyway, in case you do have difficulty with stairs. But in my experience there is NO direct connection between heart valve replacement and stairs. I see no problem with your plan to walk stairs once a day. However, sleeping in a regular bed immediately after surgery is another matter entirely.

[Mary]

I had to go up and down two flights of steps every day after I returned home to take my shower. It wasn't easy, but then nothing about the first few days at home is easy!

[bani]

Hi,

Since I live in a townhouse, I asked my surgeon if I could climb stairs after surgery. He said: No problem. And it was not. I climbed very slowly (I actually used a walking stick just to feel safe), and no more than twice a day in the beginning.

[jeffp]

As many have said, plan on not climbing any stairs. I was able to so fine at 2 weeks out, very slowly though. And once I got to the top, I was so exhausted, I'd nap in my kid's bed for an hour or so. The naps were very much a part of my routine for the first few months, but always more comfortable in my own bed.

[JimL]

Michelle, you probably should regard my contrarian comments as the odd experience, and plan on not using the stairs much. But I never had any trouble whatsoever with the stairs from day one.

[PamO]

Michelle - you will definitely not WANT to climb the stairs! We live in sort of a split level log house (well...cabin). We set everything up on the bottom level in the living room for my husband's recovery. He would climb the stairs to get to the restroom but it took everything out of him - I had to help him or our family had to for the first week to two weeks.

If you can, avoid the stairs. The pain level may be something you could handle, but it will tire you out!

[Jkm7]

I was not permitted to leave the hospital (Massachusetts General) until I walked a flight of stairs with a nurse. Their point was two-fold (I assume). One was to give me the message I was not an invalid and to not make myself one and to give me the confidence and the 'seal of approval' that stairs were permitted.

Our bedroom is on the second floor of our home and I walked the stairs slowly and held the rail. My husband followed closely behind me the first few times. By about the third day home, I felt comfortable and secure to walk stairs myself. Slowly and carefully. I was Very weak and carefully planned everything I wanted downstairs with me each morning before I came down. I went up once in the afternoon for a nap and then at night to go to bed.

I was able to sleep in my bed right from the start. We have a recliner but it never occured to me to try it and I really didn't need it. I piled several pillows behind me and I was as comfortable as I was going to be anywhere. Getting up was 'do-able'.

Everyone is different and apparently each doctor's instructions are different. This is something you may wish to ask your doctor in advance of your surgery so you can plan accordingly. If he is of the school he doesn't want his patients climbing stairs, you need to know it.

Good Luck.

[spock1189]

Hi there,

I had a tissue aortic valve, and I'm quite young but I had no problems at all. I was discharged after 9 days in hospital and while I had to take it easy up the stairs, it was relativley easy.

The hospital staff made sure that my physio sessions included getting up a couple of flights of stairs, and that was one of the criteria for my discharge. Obviously, if you live in a block of flats, use the lift!

Good luck for your operation

Ash

[maka]

As they say, everyone is different. I can only tell you my experience. Had mitral valve repaired back in August and live in a 2 floor house, bedrooms and bath upstairs. That was one of my concerns before the operation and I told the surgeon. I stayed 7 days in the hospital and he arranged for the hospital social worker to see me and get me into a rehabilitation home for another week. I only stayed for 5 days but they made sure I felt comfortable walking up & down stairs.
I was able to go up the stairs as soon as I got home, facing the rail (and holding onto it) one step at a time rather than climbing the stair facing front. That way you don't put so much effort into your arms. The reha social worker arranged for me to a get therapist home for another 5 days. He taught me how to go up and down with a cane. I don’t know whether you are on Social Security, but all this was covered by SS. Make sure you tell your surgeon about your concern and make a point of meeting the hospital Social Workers. They can get a lot of services for you that you may not be aware.
Good luck to you and speedy recovery
Marta

[Granbonny]

I noticed that you will be getting a St. Jude's Valve...meaning that you will be on coumadin...I would hate to think if you tripped and hit your head.:eek: I think you should plan to stay downstairs..until your INR gets into range..which takes a few weeks. A neighbor brought over a foam wedge..that I used on a twin bed that family had sat up in Living room..near bathroom.:D ......I still am careful of the four wooden steps going off my front porch...and I am almost 4 years post-op... Don't know if you have inside pets..but they are the worse..when I venture upstairs.(Guest bedrooms) they like to run up and down with me.:eek: ......Good luck with your surgery. Know that you will do fine.:) Bonnie

[joanne6]

I had mitral valve surgery in August and was discharged on day 5. I live in a 2 story house and did stairs several times a day from the first day home. I did not have problems as long as I went slowly. As it has been said, everything is slow in the beginning. I had to walk a full flight of stairs up and down in order to be discharged from the hospital.
Make plans in case you can't do it but definitely try unless your doc says No.

[labguides]

Our daughter (age 26) was not allowed to leave the hospital until she could handle a flight of stairs -- with a PT. The first few weeks. someone walked behind up when she walked up the stairs -- and she walked very slowly.

[tobagotwo]

I agree with the notion of planning not to be able to climb. However, I was up the stairs within an hour of coming home, at a normal climbing pace, with no dizziness. Everyone is different. Plan for difficulties, celebrate each thing that comes easily.

Best wishes,

[MikeHeim]

I had Mitral Valve Repair surgery 3.5 weeks ago and was discharged after only three days in the hospital. I live in a second floor apartment and had no choice but to climb as soon as I got home. As one might expect from someone who's 28, I charged right up them as if nothing was wrong and just about fell over. After I realized my limitations, I learned to climb them much more slowly and never had a problem again.

The posts above show you nothing except that everyone's different. If you're on the younger side, or in pretty good overall health, you shouldn't have too many problems as long as you take your time. I would echo one of the earlier statements that if you can't climb one flight of stairs, you probably shouldn't be discharged from the hospital.

On another note, heed everyone's warnings with regards to sleeping in bed. I still struggle nightly to find a comfortable position in my own bed. If I don't prop my head up enough, I feel like I can't breathe. However, I find out if I propped it up too much the next morning because I can't move my neck. I'm still trying to find a happy medium. The recliner idea sounds wonderful, but I don't have one because it wouldn't really fit in my apartment.

[Kate]

I was worried about this as well before my surgery and ended up having no trouble walking up stairs or sleeping in my own bed from the very first day. As they say, everyone's different! Best of luck, Kate

[brocansky]

What fantastic responses you have given me. We actually have a spare bedroom downstairs and a shower. I'll plan on using them or our couch which has a recliner built into it. If I'm feeling exceptionally good I may give the stairs a try. I appreciate all of your advice.

By the way, my surgery got bumped up to this Monday, Jan 9th after I had my cath and got a reading of 5.6cm on my aortic root aneurysm. I told my surgeon to get me in pronto! Please keep me in your thoughts. I'm looking forward to being on 'the other side' soon. Thanks again.

Michelle

[Jkm7]

Michelle.....

I wish you the very, very best. I'll be thinking about you and hoping your surgery goes smooth as silk and you have a 'text-book recovery'. Please come back here when you feel up to it to let us know you're doing great!!!

Good Luck.

[carista]

I'm 27 and have had a pretty uneventful tissue aortic valve and ascending aorta replacement and was in the hospital for 5 days. Once I got home I climed the stairs only twice a day and I was fine. The only thing I had to do was halfway take take a little break and then continue and it worked fine for me. I'm sure it all depends on how quickly you heal and if you have any complications, but it wasn't a problem for me at all.

Carista

[sue943]

Reading these posts has made me realise how differently we are all treated.

After AVR/MVR I was discharged on the 10th day post-op (I was in for one day pre-op). Within a few days I was made to walk down then up stairs and was told to do this at least three times each day, alone, and to take walks around the hospital grounds. No problem.

I live alone and have a flight of stairs to climb in order to go to bed. Once I got home having had eight more days in hospital for complete heart block I had to fend for myself, cooking, washing clothes included. Vacuum cleaning got left for a few weeks but apart from that I just got with life. Stairs, no problem.

[perkicar]

Michelle,
I stayed at my brother's for 2 weeks after my surgery (and 5 days of that was spent back in the hospital, sigh....). They had a recliner set up for me downstairs near the bathroom, and it was an easy walk to the computer room. I went up the stairs once a day, to go to bed. I'd try to have my shower taken and everything before I came downstairs. I had a pericardial and mild pleural effusion so had to be readmitted for those to settle down, so that made me get VERY short of breath climbing stairs.
Listen to your body, if you can stay in the downstairs bedroom for a couple of days I say go for it, and do little practice walks up the stairs as part of your exercise. Start with a couple of steps up and down. You'll be surprised how quickly you get tired.
Good luck tomorrow and Godspeed!

[Mama2Rylan]

After I had my OHS, I stayed at my aunt's house so she could take care of me. Well, her house had the bathroom on the second floor, so I had no choice about stairs. It was very difficult getting up them, but if you take your time, and do it slow, you should be ok. I would get out of breath very fast, so I would just stand on the stair and rest for a bit. If at all possible, I would recomend staying on one floor, if you can. But if for some reason you cant, try and have someone walk behind you when you go up the stairs. Just in case. After the first couple weeks, it got easier (but so will everything else).

For me stairs have been the hardest thing to do, even now they can be a little difficult at times (especially carrying my 30lb. son:p ) But just remember to take it easy, and everyone heals differently. Good luck!