Leg pain 8 weeks after vein harvesting

[MarionMac]

Hello! I've just discovered this BHF forum and have to say I have found it really helpful. Eight weeks ago I had a triple bypass and am now experiencing sharp pains in my lower leg from the wound which has still not fully healed. It is being dressed twice a week and I am trying to take regular walks but tonight the pain has been acute. Have others been experiencing something similar and if so, how have you been coping with it?

[shopman]

Hi

I had similar after my bypass but mostly round the knee area. They hadn't quite straightened my leg when they had finished so it was "stitched" partly bent making it very painful at first. Upon investigation there were still some stitches that hadn't dissolved and once these were cut everything was ok.

As for lower leg I caught a small infection which turned into an ulcer. Fortunately caught quite early and had it dressed twice a day. Keep examining yourself regularly and I found the District Nurse at my GP very good for looking after me. Mind this was some 19 years ago now.

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

A friend had a bypass ten years ago and found the leg took longer to heal fully than the breastbone. He got back to weekend cycling after about six months.

[wiltsgirl]

Hi MarionMac, welcome to the forum. I'm just over 9 weeks post bypass op, had a triple bypass. Looks like you are getting there. My wounds healed ok but the drain ones were slower and needed more dressing. My leg wound was ok, just needed some stitches cut as they had not dissolved. I also have a wound on my left forearm, where they were to harvest arteries, but when they looked they were not suitable, don't get me wrong I am glad I am alive, its just takes a bit of getting used to having such a prominent scar. Each and every one of us and those that have written on this forum, heal differently and that's the big learning I have realised, we are all different but share the same issues. The good thing is that things will get better, I was very impatient, an 'impatient patient' is what I called my self! Best of luck with your recovery, you will get there. Take care x

[stevejb1810]

Hello Marion. I had my triple in October ‘17. I have a scar running from just above my ankle up the inside of my left leg to about 3inches above the knee. Mine was glued not stitched and it healed really quickly (except for one tiny bit where I think I caught it putting the dreaded compression stockings on).i had no real pain. It was a bit stiff but otherwise ok. I do have some nerve damage near the ankle which varies a bit between numb and being highly sensitive to touch, but it’s improving slowly - nerve growth is very slow so I’m expecting this to be ‘a thing’ for many months yet.