day 3 postop

I might have to have a clearer head to report on my hospital stay. Operation went well, lasted about 3 hours. They used propofol, versed and fentanyl ( with a zofran chaser for nausea) as my anesthesia. I don't think that I was intubated and came out of surgery a little loopey but awake, able to talk, no nausea and ready for a meal.
My surgery took place at Cooper University Hospital in Camden, NJ one of the locations of this multicenter study to seek FDA approval for this new device. I believe that it is meant to replace the traditonal device that requires its location under the left clavicle and has a lead that actually enters heart muscle.
So far there have been 175 cases completed, 320 are required for the study here to be complete. 65% are men, 35% are women so far. The regional biomedical engineer attends the surgery and met with me the next day for a portable EKG lying flat and seated to be used, I think, for my future followup visits, like as a baseline. I also had 2 chest xrays and will require more thru the next year.
Sutures will "dissolve" as they are internal. I have 3 incisions, top of breastbone, bottom of breastbone and on the left chest wall where the device is implanted. Pain is managed with morphine in the hospital with tylenol with codeine for breakthru pain. At home I am using hydrocodone ( as I don't take well to percocet) and motrin for breakthru pain. My biggest issue is sleeping well at night as I usually sleep on my left side and getting up from a totally lying down position.
If you are considering this surgery, please know that you will need assistance for at least the first week after your surgery. You will need someone to help you position yourself and move from sit to lying down and back again. Strong abdominals help, but your chest still "crunches" as you move and that causes the pain to escalate, albeit momentarily. The pain is a hot, searing type that occurs sharply and lasts if you are in the wrong position. For instance, on the night of surgery I attempted to reposition myself on my right side and nearly screamed out in pain. There is also the issue of the weight of the device and its lead that you experience the sensation of as you adjust yourself to gravity when you do sit. I know that the awareness of this sensation will decrease over time and suspect that this is one of the reasons that they tell you that you will be out of work, or temporarily disabled, for 8 weeks.
NURSING SUGGESTIONS: offer patient pillow for left arm to rest on while in bed or seated in chair; patient might be most comfortable in an elevated position with pillow longitudinally along the back (vertical) for support. Encourage patient to perform passive range of motion of left arm at some point in time. I started the next day. I also try to stretch the chest wall open while lying down. Still cannot lie flat today. And I have to remember to stand up straight.

There is no showering for 2 days after discharge, spongebathe and keep incisions dry.
Well, off for motrin administration and some sleep. Post more tomorrow. Expect reviews and suggestions for preop planning tomorrow or the next day.