How Soon After Heart Surgery To Play Golf

How soon is too soon? After open heart surgery, when can I get back to real life? Take a shower? Climb the stairs? Have sex?

Patients are allowed to shower the third day after surgery, said Dr. Victor Schmelzer, cardiac and thoracic surgeon with St. Elizabeth Healthcare Heart & Vascular Institute.

"Generally speaking, when patients go home, they are able to care for themselves," he said. That is usually five days after open heart surgery and, if they are doing exceptionally well, it may be three days.

They are able to bathe and clothe themselves and go up and down steps. "We encourage them to be as active as possible," said Schmelzer. They are not allowed to pick up anything heavier than half a jug of milk to allow the breast bone to heal, he explained. Bathtubs, hot tubs and swimming pools are off limits while the incision heals to avoid the possibility of infection.

"The big question, usually from men, is "When do I get to drive? They don't like to be chauffeured around. They definitely don't like to be driven around by their wife. That's a big issue," he joked. The answer? No driving the first month after open heart surgery.

In terms of sexual activity, Schmelzer tells them "let your body be your guide"Your body will tell you when you are ready for that." When the urge is there, the timing is probably OK. One caveat is that patients must be careful about how much pressure they place on their arms and shoulders to avoid damaging the incision site which may still be tender.

In 26 years, he's never had a case of a patient complaining he or she injured themselves during sexual relations.

Golf is another priority.

"The other big question that people have a lot of the time is 'when can I start playing golf, when can I start hitting a golf ball?"' Schmelzer said.

After six weeks they can start working on their short game, according to the surgeon. "Generally, they can start putting after about five or six weeks as long as they are not having pain." Hopefully, after eight to 10 weeks, they may be able to play a round.

Travel? About two weeks after leaving the hospital, many patients may go on a car trip or even fly. But Schmelzer wants them up and around every hour or so. Plan frequent stops on road trips. "Get out of the car, walk around to avoid blood clots in the arms and legs," he said. The same with flying. Get up every hour and walk around the plane to avoid blood clots, he said.

He has had patients who were a bit too eager to go back to other hobbies.

"I've had a few patients come back, younger guys (who did too much too soon.) One fell off his motorcycle – that he was not supposed to be riding," said Schmelzer.

Another younger guy went home and started doing push-ups.

"He was a 35-year-old guy and he wanted to get back in shape right away," the doctor said, clearly still dumbfounded by the notion.

Plan on at least two months, he said, before returning to routine activities. And, please ask before trying push-ups.

open heart surgery