Open heart surgery- how long before riding?

[Ryan]

I was.putting off my chest crackin' good time untill Fall, but my health insurer is forcing my hand and I am getting cracked in a few days. Part of waitimg until the fall was getting to ride this summer. So my question for all who have been through this- how long before you were able to get back in the saddle?

[Fontain25]

Probably had my surgery for a different reason than you. I had a tumor. Didn't take that long for rehab. Couple of weeks. Hope your situation goes as smooth as possible.

[OtisV11]

Had open heart surgery in 2018 took a month and half for the rib cage to knit together to feel good enough but you will know when you are ready.Best of luck hope all goes well

[nick949]

Don't rush. Six weeks minimum. Check out secondary sternum infections on Google. You don't want to go there.

On the plus side, once you're done, life continues. Six years since I had cabg x3 and I'm as healthy as a horse.

Nick

[egschade]

Agree with the 6-8 week minimum. You may feel OK in less time but you need to let the bone fully heal. The impact of even a minor tip-over on your bones could be high and I wouldn't want to speculate on what might happen if your sternum wasn't fully healed.

I didn't have that surgery but have had broken ribs before plus I recall the doctor's admonition to my father when he had his chest opened.

[pressureangle]

Ask your pulmonology team about Melatonin.