After Bypass Surgery: Choosing Activities
During the first few weeks after surgery, you need to do things that do not use your arms too much. Using your upper body tires you faster. It can also cause pain around your incision and in your chest. The tips below tell you some things you can do and some you should not do for the first few weeks.
Household chores you can do
As you feel stronger, it is OK to do light household chores such as:
- Watering small plants
- Dusting
- Doing light repairs
- Setting the table
- Washing dishes
- Preparing simple meals
- Baking
Household chores to avoid
You want to move your upper body so you do not become stiff but do not put too much stress on your chest. Don not do things that make you push or pull with your upper body such as:
- Vacuuming, sweeping, or scrubbing
- Changing sheets on the bed
- Moving trash cans or heavy furniture
- Carrying filled laundry baskets or any container weighing more than 5 pounds
- Gardening
- Shoveling snow or using a snow blowerÂ