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What is the recovery of closure of ASD through open heart surgery?

I am a 18 year old male who recently underwent open heart surgery on 5th January. I spent only 4 days in hospital after the surgery being able to leave on the 9th January. The hole was significantly large (2cmX3cm), it was picked up late last year by accident. When I went into surgery I was very healthy and the only effect of the ASD was some shortness of breath and occasional chest pain. I was emitted from the hospital with no medications and with wound still covered. Overall I feel very well, amazing,  well compared to other peoples accounts. I can happily walk with little to no pain or discomfort, I was very active in hospital and have carried this on at home walking lots. Today I walked for about 40 minutes at a slow/average pace at one time, I didn't notice being too out of breath at any point or dizziness. Sorry for the excessive detail but I left the hospital without much information from doctors and theres little research for people who have this at my age. I just have a few questions that have been unanswered through online research and doctors; When will I be able to drink alcohol and get drunk? When will I be able to go out with friends to the pub, not drinking (general socialising)? When will be able to attend parties, again no drinking? Also, I unsure how much I can actually lift, they say 10 pounds but I can carry more with no pain or discomfort? When will I be able to go to the gym and lift weights? How much walking should I actually do each day? Can I take baths, if so what precautions? When should I take the dressing for the wound off? When will the wound heal, what stages?How can I prevent the wound from getting infected? When will I be able to sleep on my front? Any comments would be appreciated, thank you! :)
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Avatar universal
Hi! I used to Work at a heart surgery ward. You shuld realy talk to your dr to find out the best Answers. But in general IT takes about 8 Weeks for the sternum to heal together. Even if it dose not hurt to lift heavier don't! It can couse the sternum to get instable which may couse infection. When it comes to parties without drinking just listen to you body, but take it easy you should be back to normal after half a year. The wound dressing should be changed and washed with water and normal soap every 2-3 days and you should not need a dressing when it looks nice and dry. Also new clean T shirt every day.  Any stitches should be taken aprox 2 weeks after they were put in. But like I said I AM NOT A DR soo please ask your dr for the information! (Ps ceep your hands on your knees when you stand up from a sitting positions to not put any strain on your sternum)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi! I used to Work at a heart surgery ward. You shuld realy talk to your dr to find out the best Answers. But in general IT takes about 8 Weeks for the sternum to heal together. Even if it dose not hurt to lift heavier don't! It can couse the sternum to get instable which may couse infection. When it comes to parties without drinking just listen to you body, but take it easy you should be back to normal after half a year. The wound dressing should be changed and washed with water and normal soap every 2-3 days and you should not need a dressing when it looks nice and dry. Also new clean T shirt every day.  Any stitches should be taken aprox 2 weeks after they were put in. But like I said I AM NOT A DR soo please ask your dr for the information! (Ps ceep your hands on your knees when you stand up from a sitting positions to not put any strain on your sternum)
Helpful - 0

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