After Peripheral Artery Bypass Surgery: In the Hospital

After peripheral artery bypass surgery, plan on being in the hospital for about 3 to 8 days. The length of your stay depends on the type of bypass you have, your health, and your response to surgery.

Right after surgery

Your healthcare providers will watch you closely in the recovery room. From there, you may go to an intensive care unit, if needed. Once you are stable, your healthcare provider will move you to a regular hospital room. Your leg may swell and be painful. But your healthcare provider will give you medicine to control pain and prevent infection.

As you regain strength

You will start walking soon. Wear slippers or shoes to protect your feet. Elevate your leg whenever you are sitting. Tell a nurse right away if you have chest pain, foot pain, or shortness of breath. Also let your surgeon know if your incision becomes swollen or is draining, or if you have constipation. Nurses will come by often to check the pulses in your leg and check the incision site. Let them know if you feel coolness or numbness in your leg or foot. Before going home, your healthcare provider may teach you to take your pulse in your leg.