84 yr old traditional bypass surgery

[concerneddaughter52]

My 84 year old mother is having the traditional bypass surgery at the end of September for 3 blocked arteries.  She was diagnosed in June after suffering a heart attack. She is totally asymptomatic however feels this will extend her life.

We are trying to figure out how to care for her in recovery.  We have been told that she cannot put any pressure on her arms or wrists to stand for six weeks until her sternum heals.  She cannot stand without using her arms currently because of bad knees and inflexibility.  Does this mean, we will need to lift her every time she needs to get up for the first six weeks?

Any insight would be greatly appreciated of what to expect upon discharge from the hospital.  

[ed34]

I think physiotherapists would come up with some training and suggestions, they are very good at that kind of thing. They showed my wife some great techniques for getting up after she suffered a stroke and made it look so easy. The six weeks is actually a rule of thumb and not a rigid recovery time for every individual. Some can take a week less, some can take weeks longer. Physiotherapists will be able to show you some ways to assist getting your Mother up, but you need to follow the training carefully because the last thing you need is a sore back. What about borrowing a hoist from the hospital for a few weeks? Here in the UK there are charities which lend equipment for a small donation.