If you have difficulty sleeping, ask your nurse for a sleeping pill. Due to the effects of your anesthetic, you will be unable to eat immediately after surgery. IVs will give you fluid and medicine. While you are in the Cardiac Surgery Unit, a special IV located near your neck will monitor fluid volume. Your nurse will also monitor your fluid intake and output and daily weight.
Good nutrition is essential after surgery and reduces recovery time, infection and complications.
You will be given ice chips after the breathing tube is removed, then progress to solid food as tolerated. Taste and appetite are altered temporarily and hot foods usually are not appealing for a few weeks. Typically, certain foods such as fruit juices, broth, Jell-O, ice cream, milk and milkshakes taste good. When your physician determines you are stable, you will be transferred to a Cardiovascular Telemetry Unit for the remainder of your hospital stay. Most dressings will be re-moved the day you are transferred.