Bypass surgery

[lindylou43]

Hi all, newbie here. Waiting to go for a triple bypass and i am getting a little nervous even though i know it will help me. I have high BP.. high cholesterol and a few other things and in the past few yrs i have had 2 heart attacks and a stroke.

[skid112 Heart Star]

Hi Lindylou, welcome to the forum. Sorry to hear about your issues but you are in good hands. The surgery will help blood flow to and from your heart, easing the pressure on the blocked arteries, which in turn should ease your blood pressure and lessen the chances of a further heart attack.

Then your work will begin, you will need to lower your cholesterol, assuming you are already on a statin, you should get invited to a cardiac rehab class six weeks post op, there you will learn what your body can do and can cope with, before this i would recommend some walking, slowly and short distances, try to get 250 metres first week home and build up gradually. Fresh air, best time of the year, mild without being overly hot, spring, trees coming into bloom.

The cardiac class will take it further, treadmill, bike, a little weights. Then usually a chat around diet, how the heart works, etc. all very informative.

You will need to increase your veg intake and lower the proteins, you should get a load of information on the BHF website, plus they have a great helpline too.

Good luck and let us know how you get on

Mark

[DavidOverton]

Hi,

I had a heart attack that caused permanent damage a year ago and was treated with stents. Things continued to decline and in November I went for a CABG. I was expecting a single or double bypass, but while I was under they did a 4-way bypass. I have to admit I was very scared before the operation, updated my will etc. I was amazed when I woke up - I really didn't think it would happen, but here I am.

My heart had an ejection fraction of around 39-40% before the op. When tested in February, my EF is now over 50%, which is an awesome outcome and I feel normal again. They get you up and about very quickly in hospital and I was home 7 days later. While the scars etc take a bit of time to heal, I can now see a life ahead of me, where as in October / early November, the idea of making Christmas was beyond me.

There is always a risk with any operation, but the outcome is amazing!

[Barbdevlin in reply to DavidOverton]

Hi Michael

I too am awaiting bypass surgery, have had a silent heart attack which was a surprise to me!! I am quite scared but resigned that what will be will be. Others may disagree but I am not naturally optimistic so for me it is comforting to hear someone else express their fears and I too feel I will be shocked but delighted to find myself awake and alive after my op.

Everyone deals with things differently I guess 😊

[stevejb1810]

The waiting is just a horrible time and the longer the wait the worse it gets - it’s something nearly all of us can agree on.

I had my triple CABG a little over 6 months ago. Recovery has been swift and continues. I am fitter now than I have been in years. It’s a big op, it carries risks but all things being well you’ll be a lot better after the event. Good luck

Steve

[wiltsgirl]

Hi lindylou, welcome to the forum, I can understand how you feel. I am 5 weeks post triple bypass, having gone in to have an elective angiogram and not being allowed home until the bypass was done. Seems I was clogged up all over the place! Keep strong, as the others have said you will feel so much better. As I had little time to prepare the most surprising thing was how emotional I felt after. For the first two weeks I could cry at the drop of a hat about anything, but mostly about how lucky I was to still be alive! I started to feel so much better after two weeks and now things are greatly looking up. Can't wait to be able to drive again and do more than I have ever done. I had to telephone the rehab people to ensure I was on their radar and start my first session on 2nd May. Keep strong, it will get better, and it will all be worth it. Take care and let us know how you get on. xx

[gal4God]

It’s not easy but u can do this. I’ve had loads of bypass surgerys.

[thetidders]

Hi, I had a triple bypass 10 days ago & like everyone I was scared. I’m still in hospital but hope to go home after the weekend. I do have asthma which is why I’ve been in a bit longer but I’m getting there slowly. Don’t read Google, it frightens you, just read the BHF literature or this Forum, it written by people who know what they are talking about.

Good luck.

Jean

[lindylou43]

Thank you all for replying to my post. When i went for the angiogram i was expecting a stent at the most already have one so thinking maybe it was blocked and they would sort it and that would be me but when he said a bypass if i wasn't lying down think i would have fainted lol. Got my pre op assessment in for the 16th of May so reckon it won't be long after that. Really not scared of the op but i have a condition called Central pain syndrome which i developed after the stroke and its horrendous and i know that is gonna play up big time in the hospital. Since i have had it i have never had a cover over my right leg and if i put my leg on the mattress its like my leg has been thrown in a fire so don't know how i am going to cope with things like that. Stress makes it worse so trying to calm myself down but its not working very good lol. Glad you are all on the mend.