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How to Treat Bypass Surgery Pain

The pain you experience from bypass surgery depends on several factors. Some people have a high tolerance for pain while others are pain intolerant. The extent of the surgery will also affect the amount of pain during the recovery process. Pain control is available for all types of pain associated with heart surgery.

Things You'll Need

  • Heart pillow
  • Pain medication
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Instructions

  1. Understand Heart Surgery Pain

    • 1

      Realize there will be a need to treat pain following heart surgery. This pain is controlled during your stay in the intensive care unit with medication given through an intravenous line. This method of pain control will continue after transfer to a regular patient room, if it is needed.

    • 2

      Plan to have pain medication as either a suppository or a pill following the removal of the intravenous line. Your pain must be controllable via pill or suppository before discharge is a consideration.

    • 3

      Expect your nurses and doctors to ask you to rate your pain on a scale of 0 to 10, with 10 being extreme pain. This will give them a sense of how well you are able to manage getting out of bed and moving around.

    • 4

      Keep pain under control. It is important that you are aware of your pain level. If you wait until the pain is unbearable before taking pain medication, it is much harder to get it under control. This is especially important after you return home.

    • 5

      Prepare for the side effects of pain medication. Some prescription medications such as **** and Tylenol number 3 can cause drowsiness or an upset stomach. Follow the directions and take them with food to reduce stomach distress.

    • 6

      Treat bypass surgery pain with over-the-counter pain medications such as Tylenol to control mild to moderate pain.

    • 7

      Recognize the importance of pain control for adequate rest. Getting a good night's sleep is important in the healing process. If you have trouble sleeping due to uncontrollable pain, call you doctor.

    • 8

      Use pillow support to ease the pain of coughing and sneezing. You will also need this assistance when you are doing deep breathing exercises.

    • 9

      Prepare to treat bypass pain by discussing your concerns with your doctor prior to surgery. Let her know if you are especially sensitive to pain medication.

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