Do you know a child,
below 12 years of age,
who needs cardiac surgery,
and cannot afford it?

It is wise to wait for 2 months after surgery, before driving on your own. This is the amount of time it takes for the healing of your sternum (breast bone), which was cut open during surgery. Any kind of injury can cause damage if driving is started too early. Please consult with your surgical team before undertaking any activity after a bypass.

Yes. You may travel by car as soon as you are discharged. However, for the first few weeks, it is advisable to restrict your travel to less than two hours. If the drive is going to be longer, then take a break every two hours and walk around for a few minutes.

There is no reason for you to 'speak less' after the injury. However, during the first few days of your recovery, you might feel short of breath while speaking for a long period of time. If that's the case, your body is telling you to rest, and you may keep silent for some time.

No. Eating curd or watermelon has no effect on your stitches and healing process.

If there is an elevator, there is no need to climb stairs just for the sake of exercising. If you do not have an elevator and have to take the staircase, you can do so as soon as you are discharged. While climbing, pace yourself. Take a minute's rest after climbing 10 to 12 steps during the first week after discharge. As your walking capacity increases, there is no restriction on climbing steps, as long as you do not run out of breath.

It is advisable to wait for at least 2 months after surgery before returning to work. However, depending on the condition of your heart, you may be able to start light work after a month. Please consult your doctor before returning back to work.

The blockages which are present in the arteries remain as they were. The 'graft' which provides the new blood supply is connected below your old blockages, thereby providing adequate blood to the heart muscle.

To perform your surgery, your chest-bone was cut open and stitched together after surgery. It is quite normal to feel some pain or altered sensations in your chest region for a few months after surgery. However, this pain will be different from the pain of 'angina' which you might have experienced before surgery.

For the first three months avoid swimming, driving, sex, breath holding exercises and yoga. This is because your heart is irritable and sensitive. It may lead to irregular heart beat and could be risky for you.