5 days post op
 

I had a left side first rib resection 5 days ago. As soon as I was out of anesthesia I could feel the blood rushing into my arm which was wonderful! I wasn't expecting quite that quick of a reaction.

I had a lot of nausea right away which I have had before when I have had surgery so it wasn't a surprise. It just got worse however to the point of actually throwing up which is such a joy right after having a rib ripped out! They put an anti nausea med in my iv which helped a little but not much. They tried several others but it just kept getting worse. Finally I asked my doctor if they could take me off of the morphine pump because I had a feeling I was reacting to that and ta da that was it!!

I was put on oral hydocodone and pepcid for tummy just in case. Two days after surgery I was more than ready to go home but my doctor came in and said that they would take out my drainage tube and keep me another day. I didn't argue but my nurse could see my disappointment when he left. I started to cry and my nurse says "oh hell no!" and she went after the doctor and said that I was really looking forward to going home. He said that he like my determination and said sure let her go home. I love my nurse!!

At home now for 3 days and if I keep ahead of my pain and keep ice packs under my arm (incision in arm pit) I do real well. The doctor told me to do light stretches and lifting of my arm starting today. He didn't think I needed to go to PT which I don't know if that is a good decision or not.

Does anyone have a list of exercises I should start with or a site I can look at? I want to get back to golfing by the middle of May which my doctor said he says with my attitude I will get there :wink:

Maybe some of the ones that had surgery recently can answer best.

But if I recall correctly, most don't start any official PT til a few weeks post op.

Yes, Jomar is correct, you shouldn't start PT until 2 weeks post op. Before that, your surgeon may give you pendulum exercises just to keep your shoulders from freezing up. PT should start with nerve glides, manual therapy, myofacial release, trigger point release, scar management and gentle range of motion. Once you're 6 weeks post op, that's when they should introduce light strength training exercises NOT using therabands and NOT with anything resembling a push up. You probably also want to stay away from classic rotator cuff strengthening exercises. So, you'll use free weights (or something like soup cans) for awhile and gradually progress. It's a long, slow haul! Don't push it too fast. You do that and you risk developing too much scar tissue and undoing the purpose of the surgery.

Thanks for posting your experiences. Who was your surgery with? Did they remove the first rib? Thanks

My surgery took place at North Central Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls South Dakota. My surgeon was Dr. Steven Feldhaus. He has just transferred from Omaha and he had done many of these surgeries in Omaha but mine was the first in Sioux Falls. I was glad he was so good in my interview with him because I was convinced that I was going to go to Mayo or even East coast where my sisters live to get this done.

Yes my first rib was removed from under my arm.

Thank you all for the advice! I will do just general stuff until I heal further. I sure don't want any scar tissue issues!

One week post op
 

I am one week post op today and woke up with a migraine. I threw up like normal when I have one of these but it sure wasn't a walk in the park when you have just had a rib removed :mad:

Just the thought of heaving while in that condition is giving me sympathy pain in my chest. I hope you feel better.

I do feel much better today! I am going to cut way back if not completely off my Norco. I think I can tough it out with plain Tylenol. I had a migraine in the hospital on the morphine pump so I am thinking my body just can't tolerate narcotics.:winky: