After Surgery
All patients go directly from the operating room to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
Family members will be allowed a brief visit after the nurses have completed your
admission. This takes about an hour. Your nurse will give your family information
about visiting hours.
Your family needs to be aware that it is normal for you to look pale and puffy.
Your skin will be cool to the touch, and you will be attached to tubes and pieces
of equipment. Your incision will begin at the top of your chest and go down to
the top of your stomach with a dressing in place. If you had bypass grafts with
veins, you may also have incisions on one or both of your legs. Your entire leg
will be wrapped in an Ace bandage. Your nurse will check you often to make sure
that your pain is well managed.
Managing Your Pain
After surgery, you can expect to have some pain. We will be working with you to
keep it well managed for your comfort and recovery. When pain is managed, you
are able to move better and breathe more deeply, which helps to decrease the risk
of pneumonia and blood clots.
Rating Your Pain
You will be asked to rate your pain on a scale of 0 to 10. This will help us know
how your medication and other comfort measures are helping. You can use a
number or choose a face on this scale that best rates your pain.
No Pain
Worst Pain
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