Cracked chest and fishing?

[NHBull]

I have a  " friend" that is going to have heart surgery to replace a valve and he is wondering if others on this forum had been in the same situation....and how long was it before they could back on the boat. He realizes he won't  be at the wheel and likely only dropshotting. He has been through  this before  a decade ago, so he knows the deal.  Any first hand experience is appreciated...

Al

[J Francho]

I hope your friend is not you, and I hope it all goes well.  Take it easy, and ask the docs.  They'll know best what can be done.

[zwhiten12]

It all depends where the procedure is done at. They have procedures now where they can replace heart valves without actually cracking your chest open.  They can go in through the groin and work their way up your aorta to replace the valve.  I don't know which valve is being replaced but TAVR's and Lampoon procedures are becoming more common and have a much shorter recovery time than sternotomies.   

[Glaucus]

As long as it takes to heal up good and strong is the only and best answer. We don't fish in lightning, and we don't rush back from poor health, injuries or surgeries...all for a fish.

[NHBull]

21 minutes ago, zwhiten12 said:

It all depends where the procedure is done at. They have procedures now where they can replace heart valves without actually cracking your chest open.  They can go in through the groin and work their way up your aorta to replace the valve.  I don't know which valve is being replaced but TAVR's and Lampoon procedures are becoming more common and have a much shorter recovery time than sternotomies.   

While that procedure is being done, it is not FDA approved for this case....

[813basstard]

Pour some PBR on it, tell the wife your at therapy and let it rip

[davecon]

For me it was 8 weeks after a mitral valve repair.

 

When my pacemaker was put in, which really got me back to almost normal, it was 90 days. A long 90 days. Reason was lifting the arm could have caused the wires to shift. The doctor is also a fisherman and understood the recuperative powers of fishing but said it was not worth the risk. It was a long 90 days.

[zwhiten12]

52 minutes ago, NHBull said:

While that procedure is being done, it is not FDA approved for this case....

Correct, lampoon procedures are still in trial studies. TAVR's are FDA approved. With a sternotomy, if all goes according to plan you should be able to get back to ripping lips in around 6 weeks.  It could be shorter depending how healthy they already are.  Pray for dinks when they first start back cause you shouldn't bend and lift the toads!

[Bankbeater]

I hope all goes well.  I know a couple of people that have had valves replaced.  One got through it with just his chest being sore, and the other was in agony for about a week after the procedure.

[dbevins]

Shouldn't be any longer than 4-6 weeks as long as he isn't catching giants (8+ pounders). Lifting a gallon of milk after a month is ok in my eyes if he truly is going to be drop shotting, etc. He probably shouldn't be setting the hook with a jig or frog until about 6-8 weeks out. I sorta do this type of surgery for a living. haha

[12poundbass]

Whatever he does tell him not to sneeze! My step-dad had a triple biomass about 2 decades ago. He was at home recuperating and sneezed. That was the most God awful blood curdling sound I've ever heard.

[NHBull]

2 minutes ago, 12poundbass said:

Whatever he does tell him not to sneeze! My step-dad had a triple biomass about 2 decades ago. He was at home recuperating and sneezed. That was the most God awful blood curdling sound I've ever heard.

Think that is why so many get used to carrying a pillow around with them ?

[Mobasser]

Thankfully, I've never had this done, but have a friend who did 2 yrs ago. In the 10 yrs time since his last one, they have improved all these procedures quite a bit. Hope all goes well for him, and tell him to follow the docs orders for his recovery

[Oregon Native]

All the best to your friend...may his recovery be swift  and the fish afraid.

[the reel ess]

I have a friend who was cracked open and had some rather intense heart procedure. He was back to pretty normal after a couple months. I would see him walking for exercise less than 2 months later and I know he fishes. I see his FB pics.

 

Prayers for a speedy recovery for your "friend". God bless.

[Boomstick]

I didn't have anything nearly as major as your friend, but earlier this year I had colon cancer surgery. I couldn't use my stomach muscles until 3-4 days after I got out of the hospital, and it was painful a little while once I could start to use them again plus the staples really continued to bother me.

 

What I was able to do after a little while is setup my folding chair and throw out a ned rig, doropshot or deadstick a senko and let it sit for a while, as casting bothered me but I could fish still baits. So like you said, dropshotting will be good once he first gets out there.

 

I imagine with heart surgery, it will be a much slower recovery, but once your friend starts to feel better, I would imagine fishing similar baits that don't require a lot of casting will be good for a while.

[FishDewd]

Well I wish the best to your "friend", whoever that may be... the fact you put it parenthesis makes me a little suspicious... but yeah, "he" can go fishing but definitely with the techniques that don't require much hook set. Drop shot sounds good, ned rig may be another... most cranks don't require much of a set (to me anyway), etc. May "he" have a smooth surgery and a rapid recovery. I'm not one to suggest time lines since everyone is different, but it can vary depending on age and other factors. Remind "him" to not push "himself" and just enjoy fishing in general.