Things to ask my surgeon!

[Heather1957]

Well amazingly today is one of the magic dates after my bypass, today it has been 6 weeks since I had the bypass.

I have an appointment with the surgeon (or his minion) on Monday and while I don't want to bombard him/her with questions I have a few things I want to raise:

1. Driving

2. Holidays

3. Work

4. Massaging my scar and management of it.

5. Trapped nerve in arm

The cardiac nurse told me I would be referred back to my cardiologist and it is doubtful that would be for about 3 - 6 months, although I start the rehab next month.

As I said I don't want to bombard them with questions but I just wondered if there was anything obvious and more important I should be asking?

[skid112 Heart Star]

Hi Heather, those were basically the ones I asked, alongside when can I swim and ride a bike. I had a few odd lumps which were and still are quite painful, he assured me it was normal and signed me off. Don't know whether it is just me but I wrote the questions down as I couldn't trust myself to remember lol

[Heather1957 in reply to skid112]

I think writing them down is a must as I am sure there will be lots going on and I don't want to leave without all the answers.

I have checked and can't find any lumps so I think I am okay on that score, the swimming is a good thing but now we are leading up to school holidays I don't want to go to public swimming baths full of children until my scar is more healed.

Thanks for the reply as I don't want to miss asking something vital.

[Midgeymoo17]

on the scar question do not expose it to the sun- the scar tissue does not produce melanin like the rest of your skin and will burn easier. my CLN at my old hospital gave me a leaflet produced by plastics on scar management and it explicitly this was the most important thing.

[Heather1957 in reply to Midgeymoo17]

Thanks a lot for this as it is worth knowing especially for this time of the year. While I am not into wearing low cut numbers I have noticed that most of my tops expose the top part of my scar - I think I need to invest in some round neck t shirts!

Thanks again.

[Twobells in reply to Heather1957]

I bought a whole load of round neck t-shirts. Apart from protecting the scar from the sun it stops people asking questions or making comments. The angry looking bit does improve I am now in week 13 and mine has considerably improved in the last few weeks. Keep it well moisturised.

[Heather1957 in reply to Twobells]

I will admit I ordered 4 yesterday in the M & S sale!

[Suemary in reply to Heather1957]

I've bought a couple of scarves so that on the right occasion I can wear my more ddressier numbers!

[skid112 Heart Star]

Hi Heather, well 8 months on my scar is still noticeable, however unlike at the beginning when I hid it I now have no issues with showing off I guess I'm proud that I survived. Not to say I walk round topless but I wear polo shirts with buttons undone like I used to, normal shirts a couple of buttons undone.

[Heather1957 in reply to skid112]

I think I am more concerned that the top of my scar still looks angry so I am not ready to draw attention to it. They made a good job of the overall cut even my GP made comment about it so I am sure I won't be ashamed of it further down the line.

I don't want to aggravate it though so am concerned about it getting burnt in the sun.

[Midgeymoo17 in reply to Heather1957]

Scars really do fade. I have an OHS scar from 1996 and have been topless (in a bikini) and people really did not see it. My more recent scars (newest 18 months old) from my reveal device are slightly pinker in colour than my actual skin and are stretch scars but only enough i can tell when looking straight at them. I in fact can not really see them in the mirror. Again if i remember correctly the advice in the leaflet from plastics is that scar healing/ settling takes 2 years it is not really until that point that the final result will be clear.

[Heather1957 in reply to Midgeymoo17]

I have suffered very badly with Psoriasis since I was 11 so have no problem with people looking at me. I am not in anyway ashamed and am proud to be a survivor but don't want to give the 'everyone look at me' message so I when I am ready I will display my scar with pride.

Around the house I do wear tops that show off the scar and if anyone comes to the door so be it!

[Twobells in reply to Heather1957]

I am just not ready to display my scar yet. I think it's a personal choice.

[Twobells]

You are suppose to see Surgeon 6 weeks post op and a follow up cardiology clinic can be arranged, but I'm not sure if these are annual or 6 monthly. I have asked to see a cardiologist as some of the meds I'm on are causing me other health issues, but I did have to ask for this at rehab and it was arranged fairly quickly. Hope all goes well at clinic. Just to help with scar issue I still have a lot of numbness, but it is slowly improving. I was advised by GP to try scratching were the numbness is, not too harsh, but doing this stimulates the area. Heather I hope this helps

[Heather1957 in reply to Twobells]

I think mine is a little confusing as I started seeing a cardiologist at my 'local' hospital which do not do surgery which is why I was referred to the hospital in Cardiff that have all the necessary facilities for cardiac surgery including the surgeon.

The 6 week appointment with the surgeon was made before I was discharged from ITU.

When I spoke to the cardiac nurse about a month ago she told me I would be referred back to my local hospital and the cardiologist that started my process and that would be via appointment and could be in 3 - 6 months.

I see the physio on the 10th August and then after my assessment I will start the cardiac rehab although the cardiac nurse indicated how much I do (if anything) is down to me.

I suppose that leaves my GP if I have any questions - it is very confusing I have to agree!

[Hidden]

Thanks, Heather - some great tips there! We're probably all to familiar how it feels to go into a doctor's room and suddenly forget everything you wanted to ask!

We have a couple of general articles from Heart Matters magazine that might help you on your way to forming some questions and getting the most out of your appointment

bhf.org.uk/heart-matters-ma...

bhf.org.uk/heart-matters-ma...

Hope this helps.

Take care, Chris