• Who is it For
• Benefits and Risks
• How it Works
• Evaluation
• Living with the AbioCor

Living with the Abiocor

The recovery process will be different for every patient. Your recovery will depend on your physical condition and the complexity of the surgery. It is possible that the recovery time could be weeks or months. It is also possible you could be back to non-strenuous activities within a few weeks, with appropriate rehabilitation.

Discharge to home and resuming your day-to-day activities is the ultimate goal of the AbioCor system. You will be ready for discharge when:

• your wounds from surgery have healed
• your diet and medication intake are stable
• you have regained strength and are able to care for yourself
• you have been trained on the AbioCor® System

Your discharge and return to home will occur in “stages.” First you will go on outings away from the hospital for a couple of hours, followed by overnight stays at a hotel near the hospital. Then you may be allowed to return home. If you need rehabilitative care, you may go to a step-down facility for some time prior to going home. Prior to discharge, your physicians and nurses will review your medications and chart and give you instructions about medications, activities, and diet.

Patients who are discharged from the hospital are mostly capable of taking care of their personal needs at home. However, you will need someone to help you get to the grocery store and other places for errands or social activities. If you live alone, a nurse coordinator will arrange for you to speak with a social service worker about receiving help at home.