|CABG in one week. How to support partner.

[suecares]

Partner is having triple bypass soon. We are both very anxious. Any advice on how to help appreciated. He is going to Brampton Hospital.

[marypw]

Hi Sue, my husband had a triple CABG last October and has made an amazing recovery. I suggest you get some extra pillows to prop him up in bed and make sure you have lots of towels (hospital told me 2 clean ones a day, one for the wound and one for the rest). Hospital food really varies and he may not have eaten much for a week or so, so plan some really tasty, flavoursome meals.

He will be quite weak for a few days so may need help with getting dressed, especially the compression stockings etc. Don't have too many visitors too soon because he will need to nap in the daytime.

As he recovers encourage him to walk everyday, but start with really short distances and increase slowly.

I know it's really easy to say but try not to worry - it is routine surgery for these brilliant surgeons!

You may not want to leave him for too long so on-line grocery shopping is helpful. Also make sure you get some support as well - it's an emotional time.

Best wishes!

[Salihyuksel67]

I done mine triple bypass operation nearly 3 months ago and still recovering but not need worry this is very common especially Basildon hospital excellent they are in excellent in Europe bypass operation.

After operation stocking socks very difficult and hot weather making really difficult but after 6 weeks you ok.

My problem is now colestrol tablets after by pass they increased 80 mg and this makes me really tired and muscle pain but other than OK.. I am going to back my work next couple of weeks.

Good luck with your operation

Sall

[stevejb1810]

I just want to echo everything MPW has said (I have to say that as I am the husband to which she refers 😃).

[LenC]

Hi suecares, I'm sorry to hear that your partner needs heart surgery.

I have had my share of operations including aortobifemoral bypass, femoro popliteal bypass, graft thromectomy and a few others, knees, shoulder cuff and some stents.

We mostly are uneasy the first time, I was when I needed a coronary angioplasty, but once you get better from these operations you build trust with your cardiologist, cardiac surgeon and, very important, the anaesthetist, you gain courage to face the unknown.

If you are unfamiliar with any of the specialist's ability, make inquiries, while a lot more personal than buying a car, the medical staff's ability can also be researched. These are things that may put you at ease. Go to Wikipedia/surgery and just scroll through it. Farm some knowledge, this will give you the tools to beat the fear of the unknown. Good luck to you both and may God watch over you.

[suecares]

Thanks for all your replies. I'll follow all the good advice. It's reassuring to know people get through this! Can I ask, the day after your surgery when you were in Intensive care, did you want visitors? Of course I want to visit and could go back and forth from home on public transport (about 2 hours I think). Or I could find some nearby accommodation so I could have longer or more frequent visits. I know he won't be able to talk but does it help to see a familiar face on the first day?

[wiltsgirl in reply to suecares]

Hi Sue, He should be able to talk in ICU, if he has a ventilator then generally he will be asleep. My partner visited the first day and it was lovely to see a familiar face although I was very dozy, he sat there and just read a book until I told him to go home a few hours later. I too was a distance away, 50 mins by car, so I didn't want him to struggle with this. I had the op on Friday and was out of hospital on the following Wednesday so he only visited me twice. He most certainly will be out of bed the first day and encouraged to walk. I found the normal bodily functions such as yawning, sighing and sneezing to be the most difficult. The staff should give him a cough pillow to hold to his chest when the need arises. It is hard to believe that these are very routine ops now, he will be fine and I found at 6 weeks post op I was walking nearly a mile. Best of luck. Any questions now or in the future I am sure the forum will be able to help. Take care x

[suecares in reply to wiltsgirl]

Thanks very much. It is so encouraging to hear from people who have been through it. I'll follow your advice. Good luck with your progress too. Best wishes x

[wiltsgirl in reply to suecares]

Hi Sue, I forgot to mention that I was very emotional for about three weeks, cried at the easiest thing. Be prepared for this and lots of hugs (not too hard, my partner said he didn't want to break me), and tissues xx

[marypw]

My husband (as above) had his op about 1 pm, I had a phone call at 8 pm to say he was asleep in ITU and he was transferred to the step down ward the next day at mid day and I saw him at 2 pm. The length of stay in ITU is pretty unpredictable. You should also check out visiting times for the different wards he will be in. He will be extremely pleased to see a familiar face, but just remember not to give him a hug!

As you have a long journey I would be inclined to book accommodation for a couple of days.

Surgery day will be horrible for you - do try to see friends or have something to distract you.

[Plumbtorre]

Hi sueca res

I had a triple bypass and a mitral valve replacement 2 months ago. It came out of the blue and because I wasn't getting a good service in the UK I came home to Spain ( my wife is Spanish and I am a member of the Spanish health service too ) once they had cleared the fluid on my lungs and fixed the 2 internal bleeds I had then the cardiac team took over. . Don't worry about your husband not being able to talk. When I woke up with 20 minutes I was talking normally.my wife stayed at the hospital and helped me with everything. At first I couldn't do anything on my own especially shower and toilet but withher help got small victories every day. My biggest problem was getting in and out of bed, it was exhausting and painful however after a couple of weeks at home I managed it. I couldn't have progressed as fast as I have without the support of my wife and your husband will need your support from minute 1 both physically and emotionally.

[suecares in reply to Plumbtorre]

Thank you that is good to know.I hope I can help my husband as much as your wife supported you. Thanks for the information.

[Plumbtorre in reply to suecares]

I am sure you will . Good luck to you both 😙😙😙😙

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Hi... I had a quadruple just over three weeks ago. Came around feeling the worse for wear and as if I had been the victim of a Big Daddy Splash! Things then move on quite quickly - little day by day but really noticeable over a week. The hospital food was underwelming so he will appreciate some tasty food - small portions as the appetite takes a while to return. I found a pillow raiser good for sleeping to emulate the hospital bed. If your bathroom suite is low get a toilet seat raiser as he will not be allowed to push with his arms.

I have been struggling with the hot weather recently so this may be an issue.

[suecares in reply to MichaelJH]

Thanks for your reply. I have noted your suggestions. It's good to know he will feel a little better by the end of the week. You sound bright after only three weeks. I hope you continue to make progress. Yes the heat is a struggle for many people at the moment. I imagine it'll be really hot in a hospital ward. Best wishes for your continued recovery.

[Prux007]

Sue,

Am 40 years old and had a quad bypass done last year in November. Just be there to support him and remember to listen. Time is a great healer and every person is different on recovery, take it day by day. A little push to do mild activity is a must.

Good luck

[suecares in reply to Prux007]

Thank you. He's always been very active, playing tennis and walking every day. So i think he will be keen to do gentle activity soon. Of course it may be uncomfortable to start with. i hope I'm a good listener. At the moment he seems more able to discuss things with his friends rather than me. He might be protecting me or it's just a man thing!

[suecares]

What a roller coaster. Operation cancelled due to emergencies (understandable). A few hours later got a call to go in on Tuesday, operation on 11th!