After surgery, you will go to the cardiothoracic surgery intensive care unit (ICU) where a doctor and nurses are always very close by if you need anything. At first, you will be under the effects of anesthesia. You will have many IVs, special tubes and initially a breathing tube. Once you wake up and breathe on your own, the breathing tube will be removed.
A typical stay in the ICU is two to three days. You will then be transferred to the thoracic surgery floor where our nurses and physical therapists will help you regain your strength, teach you how to care for yourself when you go home, and prepare you for discharge from the hospital. If all goes well, you can expect to spend one to two weeks on the thoracic surgery floor before your discharge.