Recovery Time From Major Surgery

[Dan Schultz]

Open heart surgery to replace aortic valve and repair of an aortic aneurysm. I know there is a weight restriction of five pounds for three weeks. After that, return to regular activities are governed by the rehab folks. I know playing my 5/4 will be out of the picture but I have several tiny tubas and euphoniums I could use. What has been the experience of others?

[brendanige]

No experience with this yet but best of luck in recovery! Don't push it!

[zangerzzz]

My doc emphatically told me not to touch the horn for 6 weeks, and then I could return to normal activities. The biggest hindrance was air capacity. 2 1/2 years later I've almost got it all back. The insprion was very helpful after the operation but very painful.

[EdFirth]

Hey Dan, all the best of luck on the surgery and recovery. The tuba player who I used to fill in for at the "rat" had heart surgery about six years ago and stayed out for three months. I'm sure of the time frame because I covered the job for the whole time. And he came back strong. Just like you will. Unfortunately, the band got laid off not that long after......but his heart is fine. Ed

[euphomate]

The problem is that unless your medical adviser is an experienced brass musician, neither he, nor anyone else really knows how to accurately advise. They mostly guess, and err on the side of safety. In contrast, sports medicine folk have much more research data and experience in the area of returning to normal activities after surgery. Listen to the advice and be careful, but in the end you may need to refer to the oldest medical advice ever written "if it hurts, stop doing it". I speak from a one year experience of bad luck, including cardiac. Be a patient patient. Start back slowly, you will be fine. Best wishes.

[Renodoc]

That's a great question. I'm a family med doc/sports med doc/aspiring tuba player. The biggest issue is you don't want to strain/valsalva for a good 6 weeks as things are healing up. If they give you an incentive spirometer, you could ask if you could buzz into it using your mouthpiece instead of blowing but I wouldn't even do that for at least 3-4 weeks (I actually do this for fun/practice sometimes). FWIW, we usually tell people to abstain from sexual activity for 4-6 weeks. Good luck with the surgery!

[FarahShazam]

That’s beyond serious, Dan!

I’m so glad your aneurysm was caught early. That said, I know with surgery, the surgeon insisted on giving me a breathing device. It’s mandatory but didn’t have air restriction. Buzz first gently. You can probably safely practice when you’re allowed to run.

Hope you’re okay. (((Covid hugs)))

[CC]

All prayers and vibes to you Dan for a quick and full recovery!

[edsel585960]

Usually healing time is 6-8 weeks or so. Just check with the rehab people about the weight. I'd think a 103 would be ok after 3 weeks. Would be a lot more fun than blowing on the incentive spirometer . Use common sense when they let you try playing again. If it hurts your incisions when you take deep breaths back off some. You'll be rolling out the barrel before you know it. Get better soon.