After Bypass Surgery: Choosing Activities
After Bypass Surgery: Choosing Activities
During the first few weeks after surgery, you need to do things that don't 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's 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
Try not to raise your arms above your shoulders. And don't 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 blower
Updated:  
August 10, 2018
Reviewed By:  
Fetterman, Anne, RN, BSN,Image reviewed by StayWell art team.,Mancini, Mary, MD