Daily Care

• Wash with soap and water.
  
  
• You can shower 24 hours after your stitches and pacemaker wires are removed, unless your surgeon tells you otherwise.
  
  
• Do NOT take a tub bath until your incisions are completely healed.
  
  
• NO powder, lotion or creams on incisions.

Report To Doctor's Office By Phone

• Swelling or drainage at any incision
  
  
• Foul odor to drainage
  
  
• Check your temperature if you feel feverish. Report a temperature of 101 degrees or greater.
  
  
• Excessive redness or warmth along the incisions. Some redness is normal and should resolve in a month or so.

Breastbone Care

Healing

• The breastbone takes about 12 weeks to heal.
  
  
• When you reach for something, turn your entire body and face the object.
  
  
• Get close to the item before reaching for it.
  
  
• Lean forward from the waist to pick up items at counter level.
  
  
• Do not reach up to get things, let someone else get it for you.
  
  
• When getting out of bed, roll to the side closest to the edge. Carefully push up with your arm, using your elbow. Sit up for a minute or two before you stand up.
  
  
• Do not do anything to spread your chest muscles such as holding a heavy door open.