Newbie,Worried and Going for CABG on Thursday

[5FRTS]

44yr Newbie here, was diagnosed 6 months ago with Angina, turns out i need CABG (Triple at a minumum) my procedure is due on Thursday and im worried sick.

[shopman]

Hi

Being worried is very normal as it is a major operation. You are a similar age to me when I first set out on this long journey - I will be 65 in a few days time and have had a quad bypass + 3 procedures for stents. I always remember waking up in ICU after my op and thinking "yes" as I could breathe without struggling.

It can be a long road for recovery but with help from your Cardiac team, GP surgery and chatting to folks here it can be made a little easier.

Any questions then ask away and I am sure there will be those who can help with answers.

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

I am coming up to four months post bypass. Remember that whilst it is a major event to us Hearties it is routine to the cardiologist. Once you start the admittance procedure the sheer professionalism should help calm you. Hope it all goes well - it will be over before you know it and the road to recovery will begin. I woke free from angina and breathlessness - bliss!

[daffyd]

Don't worry, you'll be in brilliant hands, be sure of that. I was back home in 4-5 days and have never looked back. My 'cabbage' was back in May 2016 and I was back in work 8 weeks after. Good luck.

[invictaAlec]

Hi,

Of course you are worried. Its a major op and nobody can take it lightly, which means that you are perfectly normal in that respect.

I am a real chicken when it comes to things like this and you cannot be more afraid than I was, believe me!

Despite my fears I found a strange calmness come over me shortly before my CABG x3 four months ago. I realised that my surgery was necessary. Doing nothing was not an option. I put my trust in all the health care professionals that surrounded me. We are blessed to have such a wonderful national health service.

Good luck to you and write again and update us on your post op progress.

Alec.

[jamesapjim]

In May 2016 I had a SCA on a train travelling back from Manchester luckily a nurse was on the same train and she performed CPR which saved my life. Paramedics took me to Manchester where I then had a 2 heart attacks whilst on life support. Prognosis was dire but after 3 weeks I went home equipped with an ICD implant and lots of medication.

Further tests revealed that I had 3 partially blocked arteries which needed attention. After steady improvement, some months later I was then advised that I needed a triple bypass operation. I was shocked and stunned, not to mention frightened, for there I was thinking that continuation with the medication was the only required course of action.

I met the consultant Mr E McLaughlin at Manchester Royal and he immediately gave me total confidence that proceeding with the CABG was the right decision. So I agreed and was admitted on the Sun 18th Dec 2016, operation Mon 19th Dec and discharged on Sat 24th Dec back home just in time for Christmas.

Moving now some 22 months I'm now 74 yrs old fully recovered from a 4 x CABG and feel really well and leading a fulfilling and active life. It has seemed a long road at times but one worth travelling on with help and support of NHS, friends and family. I'm eternally grateful to all those who helped me along the way.

Best wishes for tomorrow and wishing you a complete and speedy recovery.

[5FRTS]

So my op was postponed due to an emergency by my consultant. They said they would call today with a new date.

Felt really low the last couple days as I’d worked myself up for the op only for it to be postponed

I’ll update soon as I know more