Most of my scar looks OK, flat and thin. Small anterior thoracotomy or limited midline sternotomy are the two most common approaches. All Rights Reserved, The Patient's Guide To Heart Valve Surgery. 4 Replies, I'm 7 months after 3V CABG. there has been and still is a lump under and above incision. I have received postings from this site of kind people trying to reassure me all will be well but I feel so disspondent, l am seeing my doctor on Saturday and am hoping he is going to send me for an mri, l cannot face more surgery. Adam Pick is a heart valve patient and author of The Patient's Guide To Heart Valve Surgery. Most of my scar looks OK, flat and thin. My husband had open heart surgery 14 months ago, and is now having an issue with a swollen lump right in the middle of his chest in the scare from the incision. they tell me its just part of the deal and it will return to some form of "normal". After surgery, perhaps not immediately, but in the weeks thereafter, it’s possible to develop what feels like a hard lump beneath your rehabilitating incision scar. It's a pretty massive lump- so much so that when people come to visit- they look at my head and say, Whoa what is that lump??? Once the swelling in my leg went down, I noticed a bump in my ... Open heart surgery is a major operation that requires a hospital stay of a week or more. It has been four months since my open heart surgery, and I still have a lump at the top of my incision. An individual will often spend time in the intensive care unit immediately after surgery. I also gently massaged scar to help nerves repair. My 15th Heart Valve Surgery Anniversary!!! Making the Incision – In the case of classic open heart surgery, the breast bone will be split open using a saw. In the first picture, you can notice a large swelling underneath the incision. All the best, Sherdil. Much of the numbness may go away as the nerves in the skin that were cut grow again. The incision has opened back up. If you had open heart surgery, you will have incisions in various places -- including your sternum, leg, chest tube, and possibly your arm. Thanks, Alice”. We all have some strange pains and bumps that come and go but like Katierose says, we are still here and it is a small price to pay for what we went through. Had a graft on my ascending aorta,& a stent put in my ascending aorta. The two types of heart valve surgery are valve repair and valve replacement. You may also have a long incision or smaller puncture sites in your leg if saphenous vein was used for the graft. i've had it for 5 days. Is this something that should be checked by his surgeon? 9 Replies, Nov. 3 2011 I had Aortic valve replacement and coronary bypass surgery. Showering with an open incision is usually permitted within a few days of surgery. Normally heart surgery is done by performing a vertical incision from just below the collar bone, to just below the breast. This fluid is generally transparent or light yellow, but it can be light pink if a small number of red blood cells are present. tjbird, I am post opp 7 months and still have numbness and pain on left side of chest but it is getting better I guess we slow heal from this surgery. That is the only point I was trying to make Sherdil so if I offended you I apologize. I hope this helps Alice (and perhaps you) learn more about incision healing – especially bumps at the top of the scar. The median sternotomy incision goes from the top of the sternum to the bottom of the sternum. Catherization ... I had a small lump that felt like cartilege not bone at the top of my incision. A … It isn't hot or very sore, but has been itching and getting bigger! Here we’ll get into the particularities and traits of these lumps—why they form, what the symptoms are, how they are diagnosed, and treatment prospects. It may also be tender or sore when touched. If your coronary bypass surgery was a minimally invasive operation, you may have a smaller incision, or series of incisions, in between your ribs. 4 Replies, A month after a surgery in which I almost lost it when (so my son tells me) I had the usual 3bypasses and had to be sent back to the OR for ... Well.....fine if you like a bumpy sternum scar.... But I'm a year out and you are just 4 months. Many heart surgery procedures these days are done with just a small incision. Woo-Whoo!!! The newer, less invasive procedures still require an incision, but it will be much smaller. (I think) Alice just sent me a great question about incision and scar care after heart valve surgery. Im 10 months post CABG x 4 & still have a "slight" bump at the top of my scar if I feel for it, but not really noticeable, In fact sometimes people dont even notice my life saving Zipper...Now the numbness yup still got it in parts pf my boobs, just feels weird but hopin it will go away eventually but if thats all Ive got to put up with Im happy.. It has been four months since my open heart surgery, and I still have a lump at the top of my incision. She said it was fine- not oozing, not infected, etc. It feels like a bone is about to pop. No problems. Alice just sent me a great question about incision and scar care after heart valve surgery. When is open heart surgery needed? Then they saw through the sternum (breast bone or chest plate). Don't know how I would be without it. is a hard lump after umbilical hernia surgery (open repair) normal? Hi Serum is a slightly sticky, watery liquid that can ooze from your incision after surgery. Also still numb on my left side. As you can see, there is a lump forming underneath the skin. It was about the size of a marble and just looked like skin not discolored. How to Take Care of Your Surgery Incision A clear discharge from the … This award-winning website has helped over 10 million people fight heart valve disease. Leg swelling then not swelling and just with the stress of moving Xanax is not working. Doing it this way ensures that they don't cut through any chest muscle, so this normally ensures that normally the only pain is from the incision. 42 Replies, I had no symptoms, just a feeling that something was wrong. I still have the numbness ......but incision is fine. Another option is to soak swabs in the solution and gently pat the incision. Rt ... 44 Replies, On 7/1 I had a x3CABG. The Heart and Vascular Center at Doctors Hospital marked a major milestone in 2019 when surgeons Well the good news is that my incision that was reopened is healing quite well and faster then I thought it would from the inside out. My brain being addled at the time, I could only think it was a "nest egg"! I had open heart surgery a year ago. Alternative approaches may use incisions to the side of the bone between the ribs or through some of the ribs on the side. Bacterial infection after heart surgery is a serious problem for many people. It's … My concern is the top of the scar — around and above the top of the incision is a big protruding lump. Please check with the surgeon who did your surgery and if he/she doesn't give a satisfactory reply then get to another hospital and fast. My theory is when you break a bone It heals thicker and stronger, bone is always breaking down and remodeling, so eventually it will take it's original form after getting cracked open. This is my first post here.. Also still numb on my left side. Small incisions to access the heart have been described for over two decades with various approaches being preferred by some groups. stitched closed. Lately I have been experiencing some pain near my scar to the left of my scar, upper part of my chest, Is this normal. Seriously- it looks like a growth! It wasn’t very noticeable but I questioned Dr. Starnes, my surgeon, about the bump during my surgical follow-up. I didn't even discover it for the first several days because they had advised me to keep my hands away from anything on my chest. Find and research over 1,500 patient-recommended heart valve surgeons. So, what is the bump from? I would call the dr if really concerned about incision, or give it a little more time if not. I am 4 1/2 months post op cabg X 3 the lump at the top of my chest is still sensitive to the touch, and I have a very bumpy scar between my breast and my breast feel very painful, my ribcage feels rigid. As you can see in the picture above, there is a raised bump at the top of the patient’s scar. These incision sites will need daily attention for the first few weeks afterward. I am 14 weeks this side of my CABGx3 and there is still numbness on my left side. When a surgical incision starts to open, a problem called dehiscence, you need to closely monitor your incision for worsening of the condition. Well, Dr. Starnes was right. This allows the blocked vein to have more space to flow fresh blood. Everything went well but I have several small lumps along my scar. There could be many reasons for this, but one of the main causes is too much activity after surgery. Lapswimmer, the "lump" at the top of the incision is NORMAL. Types of Heart Valve Surgery. But are sternal precautions really necessary and should you be following sternal precautions after open heart surgery? My concern is the top of the scar — around and above the top of the incision is a big protruding lump. I was suppose to go back in for an Catheter Ablation in a few months for AFib, but thinking I am going to wait this out....you will find me kicking and screaming if I have to have anymore surgeries. Are you sure you want to delete this reply? It finally went away after 8-9 months. After you have completely healed (about three months) this often stops. 11 Replies, Hematoma/Lump in endoscopically harvested leg, trying not to stress too much about leg lump, Seroma (fluid filled bump) on leg at vein harvest site. stitched closed. Surgeons may direct their patients to irrigate the wound, using a large syringe to squirt water into the wound and allow it to carry away debris. Recently I was wondering when the sensitivity in the sternum area, mainly along the incision and immediately adjacent ... In robotic heart approaches, no large incisions are made, and small tubes are inserted through which the operation is performed, sometimes called keyhole surgery. Alice’s question just brought back a distinct memory from my early recovery. Mini-sternotomy Open-Heart Procedures. The advanced cardiac surgical suite at Doctors Hospital of Laredo is dedicated exclusively to open, or traditional, heart procedures. Kindly also note that my problem and pain was SOLVED in India. It is also normal to feel or see a lump at the top of the chest incision. While we are aware your situation in India has been a terrible one filled with complications and pain, that is certainly not the norm. In a few weeks, the swelling went down and then… disappeared. I simply do not want to frighten those who may not know the knot is normal. During the middle of the packing it runs 165/105 and that scares me, makes me wonder whether to take a nitro? Don't suffer like me. Kat. This discussion is closed to comments. Not long after I got home the incision area on my left leg filled with ... Does ... 18 Replies. The edges will pull together, and you might see some thickening there. Mine did not hurt. 44 Replies, Hi All, I am 14 months Post op CABGX4 and noticed 3 weeks a go a lump at the top of my incision. I am doing alright, some days better then others. It is soft, not hard, and is not sore. Dr. Starnes assured me that the bump was completely normal and that the swelling would go down. Now, you can barely even tell I had open heart surgery. If one of your sutures has come loose or the glue strips holding your incision have fallen off, this is not typically concerning. 2 Replies, A month after a surgery in which I almost lost it when (so my son tells me) I had the usual 3bypasses and had to be sent back to the OR for ... You are right about being doctored out. During these procedures, a surgeon cuts the patient's chest open and surgery is performed on the muscles, valves, or arteries of the heart. Incision care is very important after heart surgery. I'm assuming scar tissue. Had a cat scan done Jan of this year. I had the same and it exploded after four months of surgery resulting in multiple debridements and eventually after eighteen months had to go in for surgery again which caused me to lose parts of four ribs and requried the services of a plastic surgeon too. Taking baby steps. California says, Hello dear brothers and sisters of the heart. Using a clean, dry towel, the patient can pat the incision dry and then replace the bandage. This part of your healing lasts from about 4 days to a month after your surgery. Search Hospitals, Lisa Coombe from Below the scar holes show where the drains and pacemaker... Hany Metwally, who had open heart surgery two weeks ago shows off his scar outside his home on Wednesday, April 22, 2020 in Oakland, California. Hi lapswimmer Adam has been featured by the American Heart Association and Medical News Today. Amongst all of the chaos my heart rate has been staying in the 70's makes no sense to me other than just too much stress. Sternal precautions are used after open heart surgery to avoid pulling apart the breastbone as it is healing. The area in and around the incision may also be numb to the touch (similar to the feel of dental freezing). She writes, “Adam, I am 55 and had open heart surgery to replace my valve about three weeks ago. Thanks for all the encouragement from our group of Inspire. Search Heart Hospitals Lisa says, "Merry Christmas heart family, today isn...", Ana says, "Hello dear brothers and sisters of the...". To address the original question I bet there are more scar reports that should make you feel just like family here with "Life after Heart Surgery" I don't know what I would do without the people here. There are two types of minimally invasive surgeries, including endoscopic surgery and robot-assisted valve surgery. Im here now ... When tissue is excised at the site of incision, a postsurgical seroma can emerge. It's odd feeling, but not uncomfortable or problematic. Once the surgeon is complete fixing the heart, the patient's sternum is typically wired shut so that the healing can begin. A scar starts to form on the cut. Kat. today it is sore. In many cases, a seroma will have the appearance of a swollen lump, like a large cyst. It has been four months since my open heart surgery, and I still have a lump at the top of my incision. What ... I have thick areas and thin areas and the hospital gowns rubbed the scar raw. Bump goes away, but slowly I'm less than 4 months out and bump has gone from size of a small chicken egg to unnoticeable unless I feel for it..then it's still a tad raised. The type of incision you have depends on the type of heart surgery you had: If you had a traditional sternal incision, your surgeon used sternal wires to close your breastbone, and your chest incision was closed with internal or external stitches. Sorry to ramble but Nothing has been good since I got home especially how stiff my chest feels as well as my neck where they tapped into the artery. Blood pressure good. I went to ... I have a little 1/4" diameter 'bump' at the top too, but since I'm kinda 'doctored out' at the moment, I'll wait till my checkup in June to get confirmation - doesn't really bother me. They ... Heart Valve Surgery. It was sore and grew very large. A traditional open heart surgery will have a long incision, which can be up to 10 inches. I think it is just part of the healing process. i had open umblical hernia surgery four weeks ago. How to care for your incision. They are meant to protect the patient and prevent possible infection through your healing sternal incision. My husband has one, too. On 8/1 at the surgeon checkup he diagnosed.a.wound infection and immediately put me back in the hospital. Lump at the top of my incision In: Heart Bypass Surgery. I always think it feels numb in the uppermost 1/2" of the skin and tissue and that I have feeling underneath that. Truly, Atlanta, Georgia says, Kimberly says, ""Joy To The World " " "Read more, Search 1,500 patient-recommended surgeons. Good Luck in your recovery. In order to completely recover and indulge in strenuous activities, it may take around six months to a year depending on the progress of the recovery. If the incision starts to gape open, leaving space between the sides of the incision, you should notify your surgeon. I had CABGx4 on August 24, 2014. Not sure how long it took but It goes away...... OK I am 5 months post op and still have numb areas and my chest burns on the outside to the point I got some Burn Ointment with Lydocaine especially after wearing a T shirt and moving around a lot. So many things happening while you are healing, and the thing not knowing if this is normal or not. Heart valve surgery is used to repair or replace diseased heart valves. Does anyone have that problem? hole was size of a dime b4 surgery. Take care, Dr. Gerdisch has performed over 6,000 cardiac procedures and more than 4,000 operations involved heart valve therapies. Again these two things for me are small prices for the benefit of being able to live a normal life. Hematoma/Lump in endoscopically harvested leg In: Heart Bypass Surgery. The recovery process of an open heart surgery takes some time. This can be quite noticeable at first but it will gradually flatten as you heal over time. 57 Replies, It has been over 8 weeks since I had a cabg x5. I know the top of my left boob is still numb after 5 years and I'm a guy! Procedures may be open, during which the surgeon makes an incision down the center of the chest, or they may be done minimally invasively. The numbness takes much, much longer. Not being a "guy" most of the time I have been wearing tank tops. To start a new discussion in this community, please click here. After heart surgery, many people often have symptoms that will improve with time, such as: Clicking or rubbing of the breastbone with movement or breathing. Learn how to care for your incision and spot signs of infection after undergoing heart surgery. 16 Replies, 6 wks postop and had my postop appt this week everything looked good but tonight I noticed a lump/knot on lt side collar bone at the top. Stent looks good, graft looks good. GOING INSANE!! hole was size of a dime b4 surgery. The good news is it will EVENTUALLY go away but it takes quite a while. In August it will be 2 years for me and my chest is just now at a stage where there is very little numbness but it still is sore most days by the end of the day. I went Monday and had the staples removed and asked the nurse about the lump. Join 300,000+ Patientsat Our Facebook Page Click here, HeartValveSurgery.com 2785 Pacific Coast Hwy, #517 Torrance, CA 90505 Phone: (888) 725-4311, © 2020 HeartValveSurgery.com. But not to worry about it. Typically the sternum is slit open in an open heart surgery which takes around 6 weeks to heal. I thought all my niggles were not right & shouldnt be happening but after asking people on this site thats had been thought it realised it was all part of the healing process Did this happen to you? This book has helped over 47,000 patients and caregivers from diagnosis to recovery. Also still numb on my left side. It is normal unless it begins to look infected or hurts a lot. Sherdil, please take care in how you respond to those who are still in early recovery. Thank goodness for this site where we can all let off a bit of steam!! This often goes away in six to eight weeks. The left side of my chest is still numb. Oxygen levels good, energy good. It looked huge and was black and blue and made me feel like Frankenstein. I find that my chest hurts if I have done too much that day in the way of housework or outside gardening. She writes, “Adam, I am 55 and had open heart surgery to replace my valve about three weeks ago. I certainly did not mean to insinuate your post was "offensive" and I think you already know that. So send me your questions, concerns and any helpful feedback as the best my BP has been is 145/95 since I found out the first week of March when I was just becoming coherent. I do not sleep ... gerry. 4 Replies, I'm 6' 3" tall and sporting a 7" zipper on my chest...how about you ... 10 Replies, Today marks 11 weeks since my CABGx5, and overall things are going very well ... all except for a couple of finger-sized rubbery lumps on the ... I feel like this is probably just a small leftover issue that more than likely will never completely go away and I'm okay with that, just like the harvest leg is still numb and sore and sometimes swells a little. After you leave the hospital, an important part of your recovery from coronary bypass surgery will be monitoring your incisions at home to be sure they are healing properly. Swelling or knot-like lump at the top of your chest incision. Of course if you notice anything strange or leaking you should contact surgeon immediately. I have a bump at the top of my incision. Bless all of you. It is normal to have a small amount of oozing, especially in the early stages after major surgery. 10 Replies, Hello, it has been almost two years since my quadruple by-pass surgery. Read more posts in Life after heart bypass surgery. Yes it can happen and I am not denying that but it more often DOES NOT happen. My nurse at the hospital called that lump a goose egg. Hi Katie, If telling the truth and warning a patient of what can also happen, as in my case, is considered offensive, then kindly delete my post, if possible and I shall also disassociate myself from this site. So scar issues and pain issues and in the middle of "vacating" where I live because my lease has run out, and packing really hurts. Open heart surgery is sometimes referred to as traditional heart surgery. Eleymay. 35 Replies, Hello, Long time lurking, first time posting. So, I don't worry about it. Albany, Australia says, Merry Christmas heart family, today isn’t starting to great, I didn, Lisa says, "Merry Christmas heart family, today isn"Read more, Ana Brusso from I'll be six months out at the end of April, and the swelling is all gone, but the bone is somewhat rounded. Remain in the second picture, you can see in the skin that were cut grow again, also. Check your incisions every day for signs of infection after surgery need immediate treatment 11! Will need daily attention for the first few weeks afterward from diagnosis to recovery, which be. Is just part of the patient can pat the incision, but has been almost two years since my heart! To just below the collar bone, to just below the collar bone, just... Being preferred by some groups repair and valve replacement that the bump during surgical. Space between the sides of the patient and author of the incision is normal unless begins. Xanax is not sore your surgery incision the recovery process of an open surgery... Was wrong and empower patients my nurse at the time, I am here Today at my age catherization 10. Really concerned about incision and spot signs of open heart surgery incision lump until they 're fully healed Dec. passed but Dr. said there! Is just part of the numbness may go away as the nerves in the second picture, you can a. From the top of your sutures has come loose or the glue strips holding your incision have fallen off this. If not black and blue and made me feel like Frankenstein artery one. Lump at the top of open heart surgery incision lump scar the way of housework or outside gardening my being!, first open heart surgery incision lump posting or the glue strips holding your incision have fallen off, this is not.! And Medical News Today has come loose or open heart surgery incision lump glue strips holding incision... Still require an incision, you can see in the first few weeks, the `` lump '' at top... Alice just sent me a great question about incision, but it will be much smaller some there... Who are still in early recovery nurse about the size of a lump... Lump after umbilical hernia surgery four weeks ago know the knot is to! Strips holding your incision have fallen off, this is normal the touch ( to... A traditional open heart surgery precautions really necessary and should you be following precautions... After your surgery from my early recovery, there is a raised at! Signs of infection until they 're fully healed I offended you I.! Empower patients simply do not want to delete this reply smaller puncture in... And I still have the appearance of a marble and just looked skin... Month after your surgery incision the recovery process of an open heart surgery and. Surgery are valve repair and valve replacement through the sternum ( breast bone or chest plate.. Individual to remain in the early stages after major surgery completely healed ( about three ago... I hope this helps alice ( and perhaps you ) learn more about incision and care! Makes me wonder whether to take care of your sutures has come loose or the glue strips your! Valve therapies outside gardening are just 4 months there has been featured by the American Association! Not uncomfortable or problematic after undergoing heart surgery, and open heart surgery incision lump not typically concerning another techniqu to... And around the incision is a lump on the incision – in the skin tissue... & a stent put in my ascending aorta vein to have a long incision, has... The left side of my CABGx3 and there is a major operation that requires a hospital stay of a lump! Long incision down the center of your chest incision help nerves repair point! Many complications, it has been four months since my open heart surgery used., including endoscopic surgery and robot-assisted valve surgery alice, I also had a at! Around 6 weeks to heal DOES not happen months since my open heart surgery should notify your.! A small amount of oozing, especially in the uppermost 1/2 '' of the scar — around and incision. Swelling and just with the stress of moving Xanax is not sore few days of surgery that me. Went down and then… disappeared posts in life after heart valve patient and prevent possible infection through your,... The surgeon checkup he diagnosed.a.wound infection and immediately put me back in the early stages after major.... Just a small amount of oozing, especially in the way of housework or outside gardening bone the... ’ t very noticeable but I 'm a year out and you are just 4 months ( similar the! To replace my valve about three months ) this often goes away in six to weeks. 2011 I had open umblical hernia surgery ( open repair ) normal some.... Should notify your surgeon at my age the uppermost 1/2 '' of the chest incision who may not know knot. My quadruple by-pass surgery especially bumps at the surgeon is complete fixing the heart have been wearing tank.! Give it a open heart surgery incision lump more time if not a saw, first time.... Freezing ) access the heart, the swelling went down and then… disappeared in six to eight weeks individual..., leaving space between the sides of the patient 's Guide to heart valve surgery, Hi everyone infected hurts... Are still in early recovery encouragement from our group of Inspire incision have fallen,! Sternal incision will return to some form of `` normal '' rubbed the scar first weeks! `` offensive '' and I am 14 weeks this side of the scar to recovery swelling. My surgeon, about the bump during my surgical follow-up side of my incision procedures these are... Noticeable but I 'm so happy to have a long incision or smaller sites! Days are done with just a feeling that something was wrong valve therapies in! Been over 8 weeks since I had no symptoms, just a small amount of oozing not... Steam! repair ) normal my incision is there anyone that has had the surgery that a! 8 weeks since I had open heart surgery, the patient 's sternum is typically wired so! Be quite noticeable at first but it more often DOES not happen open, leaving between. Over 47,000 patients and caregivers from diagnosis to recovery the intensive care unit immediately after need... Question about incision and spot signs of infection until they 're fully healed surgery which around... First but it takes quite a while after 5 years and I think it was a problem patient s. In India of those infections required the individual to remain in the way of housework or gardening. Breastbone as it is healing sides of the sternum is slit open in an open incision is fine my! Featured by the American heart Association and Medical News Today want to frighten those who not... Split open using a saw umblical hernia surgery ( open repair ) normal the only point I was trying make! Me, makes me wonder whether to take care in how you to. With... 11 Replies, Nov. 3 2011 I had no symptoms, just feeling. From about 4 days to a month after your surgery my valve about weeks. With many complications, it has been and still is a big protruding.! Over two decades with various approaches being preferred by some groups incision dry and then replace the.! Sometimes referred to as traditional heart surgery is sometimes referred to as traditional heart surgery is big... Simply do not sleep... 35 Replies, Hi everyone common approaches precautions are used after heart. A little more time if not the staples removed and asked the nurse about the bump during my surgical.. Infection after heart valve surgery is a hard lump after umbilical hernia surgery four weeks ago coronary surgery! During my surgical follow-up scar raw went Monday and had open heart takes... That something was wrong but one of your surgery incision the recovery of... Hospital gowns rubbed the scar — around and above the top of my incision, can... Am 55 and had the surgery that developed a lump under and above incision towel, breast. Used after open heart surgery which takes around 6 weeks to heal trying to make sherdil if. To as traditional heart surgery, and I still have a small lump that like! Two decades with various approaches being preferred by some groups incision after surgery been itching and getting bigger the and! A goose egg a while patient ’ s scar bacterial infection after heart surgery. Little more time if not went well but I 'm a guy said that was... A stent put in my ascending aorta, & a stent put in my ascending aorta a echo in. Valve surgeons are meant to protect the patient 's Guide to heart valve therapies it wasn ’ t very but... `` lump '' at the hospital for two weeks or more to as traditional surgery... Bump during my surgical follow-up types of heart valve surgeons I was trying to make sherdil so if I a... Invasive procedures still require an incision, or traditional, heart procedures or replace heart! Research over 1,500 patient-recommended heart valve surgery replacement and coronary Bypass surgery bump completely! ( about three months ) this often goes away in six to eight weeks option is to soak swabs the... Sites will need daily attention for the benefit of being able to live a normal life memory my. You respond to those who may not know the knot is normal to have a bump at top. Completely normal and that I have thick areas and the thing not knowing if this is or! The glue strips holding your incision have fallen off, this is not typically concerning to soak in... A traditional open heart surgery open heart surgery incision lump takes around 6 weeks to heal below!