"Overdoing" It

[MikeHeim]

I posed this question in another thread before, but decided it deserved its own space. I'm about six weeks post-op and about to start doing some more rigorous workouts than walking. My cardiologist gives me the same mantra that I'm sure the rest of you have gotten: "don't overdo it", "listen to your body", etc. My question is simple: What if I do overdo it? What if I go out and basically workout until I drop? The reason I ask is that I am a former marathon runner (and hopefully future) as well as a veteran of other endurance activities, and I am used to pushing myself well after I'm tired. If everyone "listened to their body", nobody would ever finnish a marathon and most would stop at about mile marker two.

Basically, I'm trying to get a feel as to what (if any) damage I might do to myself as I re-enter an exercise regimen. I know myself pretty well. I could start working out with the best of intentions to take it easy, but I certainly don't trust myself not to constantly push my limits.

I guess what I'm looking for is stories from other people who have tried to do too much too soon. If I need to be scared, it's better to get scared now rather than when I'm on my bike nine miles from home.

Thanks as always!

[Patrick Haley]

Mike I am 62 years old and nine weeks post-op. I had two valves replaced and a classic maze procerdure performed. I was in fairly good shape prior to my surgery. After surgery i follwed the directions of my doctor to take it easy and back off for the first six weeks, pick-up nothing that weighs over ten pounds, and short daily walks. About a week ago I was feeling pretty good and felt that my chest was 90% plus healed, and started moving boxes and other items around the house that weighed 25 to 50 pounds.

Well I am paying for it now, my right and left side of my chest hurt and I can feel the strain and pain in parts of my back.I do not plan on that kind of activity for at least another three weeks. I definitely got the message that I was pushing the envelope to early, at least for me.

[Cris N]

I think the "listen to your body" is good advice - I give it often. The only problem is that the body usually doesn't have too much to say until the next day... you'll know if it starts telling you you've overdone it - either with pain or greater fatigue. Then you'll know that your steps need to be smaller as you build up stamina.

As far as the nine miles on a bike... you probably want to build up to it - 'listening' to your body along the way. :D

Cris

[Georgia]

Regardless of the shape you were in prior to surgery your heart is in no condition for you to just go out and work out til you drop. I suggest cardiac rehab - for several weeks you'll work out & be monitored. They will push you but not allow you to increase your heartrate & bp too high for your recovery. Waiting a few more weeks until you really start pushing yourself is a small price to pay for not damaging your healing heart and sternum.

[Karlynn]

At 6 weeks post op your body is not in any shape to work out until you drop. Your sternum is still healing, your heart is still healing. Because you were in such good shape prior to your surgery, the way you feel now may be giving you a false sense of security. There are some things that take the same amount of time to heal, regardless of what shape you are in.

The ball park figure for being completely healed is 1 year. Some people feel terrific after a month, some after a few months, and some it takes several months, but the healing process itself is slow and methodical and has it's own time aside from how you feel overall.

As far as what damage you can do, that is an unknown, and an unknown that I wouldn't want to bet on. Ask your doctor for more concrete timelines and Georgia's suggestion for cardiac rehab is excellent. Pushing it in a monitored environment would be the way to do it.

[tommy]

Mike,

Down, boy. Glad to hear that you are doing so very well. Keep that drive in check for a while longer. You may know your former self real well, but IMO you may not know much about your current self.

I like the idea of cardiac rehab. It might be underwhelming for you, but a few weeks on the monitor may be a good idea. Also, the treadmill and stationary bike are indoors - controlled environment.

Damage? There's an anecdote about Arnold Schwarzenegger blowing out his valve by lifting weights. Sutures are still tender. The sternum is not healed.

By the sound of your progress, you have a lot to look forward to. I sure don't mean to go negative on you, but just want to see you at another finish line on a one-way street to full recovery. :)

[hensylee]

cardiac rehab. Go there. Or go and see what they tell you. We have a bunch of runners, you have heard from one of them, bet the others will tell you the same.

Take it easy. It'll be there when you are really ready. You aren't just yet.

[jrocco]

My cardio said a six week recovery, but the surgen said eight weeks. My work is carpet cleaning, I am the owner and the cleaner all in one. My kids help when needed and they stepped up after the surgery to keep the business going.

I went with them once 5 weeks after the surgery, we were cleaning the carpets in a dental office, plus the office chairs, and I actually did some of the cleaning. I took it easy and ohhhh it felt so good to do some work. After that I did some very small jobs myself.
I think if you take it real easy, and listen to your body, you should be fine, just be SMART about it. When I grabbed the carpet wand you should have seen the kids eye light up! They were so worried, but I knew I wouldn't do anything to hurt myself, I was very careful. But I also knew it was time to test things out a little.

[spock1189]

Hi there,

I had AVR homograph in august, so that makes me 5 months post-op. I know it's a slightly different operation, but I'm also 21 years of age which makes me likely to recover little faster than most.

I generally feel normal now, but definitely not 100%. Long-ish walks are fine and a little swimming is my forte. I've also got some small weights (1 and 2 kg), which I exercise with when I get up. I still can't do anything too strenuous, like running, heavy workouts or my past love of tennis. I have tried to step it up, but my body tells me in no uncertain terms that it doesn't like it! It's all about gradual increases when you're ready.

My doc tells me that full recovery is 6 months plus for aortic valve replacement. I'm not sure if your valve is any different, but I would suggest that six weeks is way too soon to be doing anything besides walking and the 10lbs limit.

It sounds like you're doing well though, so best of luck to you.

Ash

[carista]

I can't remember who it was, but just recently someone told me they felt really good and just went right back to their usual workout and felt fine for a couple weeks I think they said, then got mono. Maybe they'll see this and respond.

Also my cardiologist who knows I'm very anxious to get to where I was, told me cardiac rehab was the best way to get back the fastest. Once I'm monitored doing workouts, I'll know what's too much and what's not, so he thinks that would be the fastest, safest way for me to get back into it.

Carista