When you wake up from surgery, you will be in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Surgery will make you feel weak and sleepy. For these reasons, you will have a plastic tube in your mouth that will help you breathe. You will also have many special IVs, cables, and drains, which are needed to monitor your VAD and heart function.

Your care team will explain everything to you and your family. It’s completely normal for you to be hungry, thirsty, and uncomfortable at times. You will receive pain medicines to help you through this phase of recovery.