open heart surgery

[billby9]

i am 68 and just been told i need open heart surgery at my age i am terrified any body in age group went through this surgery

[Prada47]

Hi Billby9

I was also 68 when I had a triple bypass without a lot of problems. I am now 71 had a couple of stents put into my LAD which had been by passed in March of this year, really all is going well. I do have heart failure which complicates things a little bit with medication etc being tweaked. You Just have to have the operation as you need it, it's not an option unfortunately.

Regards

[billby9 in reply to Prada47]

thank you for all your information i feel a bit better knowing people my age have went through this opperation see the consultant on christmas eve will post and let you no how it goes thank you

[jimmyq]

These are common operations these days so there is no need to worry, it won't help. Yes, it is serious but surgeons have done so many of them that they are good at them by now. Your chances of survival are very good. Try to relax. You could prepare for the operation by researching what they are going to do and get yourself as fit as possible. The fitter you are, the faster your recovery. You could discuss it with your doctor and/or call the BHF Heart Helpline on 0300 330 3311 and talk to a cardiac nurse about it.

For the fitness, assuming you can't run about, you could give Shibashi a try. You don't have to go out, it's very gentle and easy to learn. It takes about 20 minutes. Just follow the video: youtube.com/watch?v=aAwbJ9M...(Not working as expected?) "Trust Me I'm A Doctor" found that it gave a good workout without strain or pain. My tutor says it can be done every day.

[Celtic]

My now 87-year-old neighbour had triple heart bypass surgery two years ago. We visited him 2 days later and were amazed how well he looked. It was done at Harefield, UK, and even at his age he hasn't looked back. He is also carer for his disabled wife. If you need the surgery, then you are likely to live longer following it than without it - at least that’s what our neighbour was advised. Lot’s of good luck wishes.

[billby9 in reply to Celtic]

hi celtic i am finding some great information from every body on bhf i will try to live up to every bodys help thank you

[thetidders]

I’m 69 & I had a triple bypass in April at Liverpool Heart & Chest & there were some older than me so I know it’s easy for me to say try not to worry. It might be useful to read some of the BHF booklets about heart surgery. There are a few of them covering different aspects. They helped me so I knew what to expect before & after. You will probably see a cardiac nurse in a pre op clinic so write down any questions before you go.

Jean

[billby9 in reply to thetidders]

hi there the tidders thanks for all your help i will get some booklets and have a good read thank you

[Chappychap]

"i am 68...at my age i am terrified"

The average age for bypass surgery is 74, so relax, you're a youngster!

[jimmyq in reply to Chappychap]

😂

[billby9 in reply to jimmyq]

hi jimmyq thanks for all your information feeling a bit better

[sue2002]

I'll be 68 next week. I had surgery in March to repair my mitral valve and had no problems.

[billby9 in reply to sue2002]

thanks sue 2002 this is good information thank you

[Maxijazz1]

Hi billby9. I was 49 when I had my surgery in May. Yes there were older patients than me having the surgery but we were all in the same position, I was told that I could die without it. I was absolutely terrified but spoke to the nurses and other patients and also read the leaflets from the British Heart Foundation. Its easier said than done but try not to worry, there are lots of us out there who have been in your shoes and have come out the other side fighting fit. If it helps could you possibly have pre- op counselling. You will get though it. I wish you all the very best . With good wishes Angie x

[Nathan53]

I had an Aunt who had a triple bypass about 15 years ago when she was 80, she wasn't the strongest or fittest type of person but recovered well and felt so much better a few months after surgery. She lived for 10 years after the bypass and her death was unrelated to a heart condition. Try and get yourself in as fit a position as you can - eat as well as possible and remember all the words of the amazing and encouraging people on here who have first hand experience. Very best wishes to you.

[billby9 in reply to Nathan53]

hi nathan 53 i am going to try and get my self a good bit fitter i never took this into consideration i have had a lot of good information from this site i will let every body no how it goes thank you so very much

[Frenchi]

Hi, I understand your thoughts and feelings - I also was told at the age of 65 I needed open heart surgery. I had my Mitral Valve repaired and also a repair for an ASD (hole in my heart). I had all the required tests and was on the waiting list - when I became unwell and had my surgery within a week. The best thing ever I now have my life back and do all the normal things I used to - just amazing. I can’t thank them enough.

Stay positive as this type of surgery is done on a regular basis and you won’t improve without the surgery.

[amaryd]

I had open heart surgery last year at 76. My husband was more worried than me. Do as you are told. Good luck.

[tomannis31]

Hello. I’m 70 and had an open heart valve repair 7 weeks ago. I was out of hospital in 10 days and am recovering well. No need to worry, everyone nurses, doctors, consultants, even the tea lady, were brilliant and made life very easy for me, ( just make sure you do what the nurses tell you!). I would suggest that you practice getting in and out of your chair and the loo, not pushing up with your arms before you go in to hospital, just using your body weight as you will not be able to put weight on your arms/shoulders for a few weeks. Best of luck and don’t worry, you’ll be in good hands.

[Philra]

I’m 64 had I a 5 hour open heart surgery procedure two years ago. I was discharged after 6 days once I could walk around the ward and up and down and one flight of stairs. I currently walk 3-4 miles each day at a brisk pace.

[JayceeW]

Just wanted to add my assurances to the others. I had my aortic valve replaced and a double bypass in May at the age of 76. Despite some complications after - dealt with very effectively by the whole doctors/nursing team - I have recovered well and been told repeatedly how well I look. I can hardly believe now that the operation was done!

One gentleman in at the same time was 91 and recovering really well!

[IanGordon]

OHS at 65 followed by a new lease of life.

Clock turned back 5+ years so vastly improved quality of life from a routine surgery.

Critical point is that the risk of surgery is less than leaving your condition untreated. Embrace the change.

Good luck!

[invictaAlec]

Billby9 , I hear you. I felt exactly the same 6 months ago as I lay in a hospital bed awaiting my op. At 67 years of age I've been a scaredy cat most of my life. I don't like flying, big dogs, being up ladders, injections at the dentist nor can I watch film of surgery on tv. I too was totally terrified.

Then as the time approached a strange thing happened. I suddenly felt calm. I realised that there was no alternative, I needed the surgery, not having it was not an option.

Ive read several other accounts on here by people who experienced the same thing. Trust the medical professionals that will surround you.

Good luck and let us have an update once you are on your recovery period.

Alec.

[Handel]

Really, don't worry! You'll be absolutely fine and will have a new outlook on life after the operation. Keep us all updated with your progress in the new year. Have a lovely Christmas and try to put your worries on the back burner. When you get the op date through, let us all know.

I totally agree with the 'practice' suggestions - learn how to breathe deeply with arms across your chest, cough with arms across your chest and the loo suggestion is a great idea (tommanis). Just practice getting up and down!

xxxx

[LHDLondon]

Hi billby9

Its a pretty daunting prospect for you but as you can read, most people who've had open heart surgery are positive about the effects and the recovery process.

I’m 65 years old and have had two open heart surgeries 9 months apart. The first was in September 2016. The second was to replace a badly repaired mitral valve from the first op, and to repair a failing tricuspid valve. Fortunately the second op was a success and now a year and a bit later I feel more or less 100pct. Unfit, but I’m working on that.

The pain and discomfort of the second op was about a 10th of that from the first, and even that was notnearly as oainful as i had feared. A good surgeon makes the world if difference. After both ops I was able to resort only to a regime of paracetamol to more or less obliterate pain.

When one’s told one has to have open heart surgery, it’s easy to assume the worst. But literally please take heart from all of us who have had procedures. The ops are very commonplace these days.

Recovery takes time but at our age it isnt too tough. Use the rehab support you’ll be offered and meet people in similar situations. We all help one another.

All the best.

[Recoder_Bill]

Hi billby9,

It's easy for me to say "Yeah, me too!" in response to the other comments above but it's true, you will breeze through it. I'm just over 6 weeks post op, I'm 67, male and had my ascending aorta and aortic valve replaced + the hemi-arch replaced ... don't sweat the technical stuff, just do your research, the more you know the less you'll imagine and believe me you'll imagine it wrongly!

I was in the operating theatre for over 12 hours which sounds scary but a lot of that time was spent just making sure I was OK before going to post op CCU. I had quite radical surgery so I knew recovery would be slow but sure. Now I don't know what procedure you will be going through but there were people in hospotal with me both older and younger who had less aggressive operations than I had and they were up and about in less than 24 hours. Indeed I was out of bed and walking around - a bit - after 3 days and discharged home after 10 days.

The key thing for me was to ensure that I found the best surgeon and hospital to go to ... you have a right under the NHS constitution to request the surgeon you want and/or the hospitial ... I live in Gloustershire but elected to be treated at the Liverpool Heart and Chest hospital by Mr. Field and the surgical team and Mr. Field particularly were great!

I found the BHF very helpful in supporting me and answering my insistent questions.

Onward and upward billby9!

[Margah]

I'm 77 and had AVR and triple bypass 6 months ago. I recovered well. It's my experience that you are not offered open heart surgery unless you are fit enough to cope with it.

[Lilyrosy]

Hi there,

I am 72 but probably act a lot younger!

Had my CABGx4 in August and as I’m always a positive person I was probably a little gung ho and didn’t really realise quite how serious the operation was until after.

I was unlucky as I was one of the 5pc that had complications and needed to be opened up again. Although very worrying for my family these people are miracle workers and know what they’re doing.

I’m now 18 weeks on and completed one 8 week course of rehab and ready to start phase 4 in January. I took myself off to London on my own at 12 weeks to meet my daughter for lunch.

It is such a revelation to move around with no serious discomfort, of course I still have twinges in my legs from the surgery and still a little numb along with my chest

but when you’re reassured this is normal it seems I just have to deal with it.

Please look forward and positivity will really help during your confinement and your recovery. Best wishes Lilyrosy (Patricia)

[matsuda]

Hi Billby. I am a little younger than you at 66 however I went through by-pass surgery a little while ago. The night before my surgery while in ICU I watched the complete operation on YouTube to prepare myself. I had total confidence in my surgeon who was excellent. I had already researched him beforehand and discovered he was one of the top heart surgeons in the country I was in at the time. Although watching the operation beforehand was a bit daunting strangely, it put me at ease on the day of my operation. I was given the anesthetic and told to count to 10. When I awoke I asked the nurse when they were going to operate. She told me that I had the surgery over 24 hours ago and that I was back on ICU before being transferred to my room. The whole thing was amazing. I am now fully recovered and my surgeon told me that he had extended my life by at least 25 to 30yrs. This is a very highly successful procedure so nothing to be afraid of. Try and research your surgeon beforehand and get to know him. Good luck.

[Pow777]

Hi Billby; Well, you have had quite a few responses to your post, and ALL positive.

I can totally agree with them. Now for me in hindsight, the thought of the experience was far worse than the event. I had 2 heart valves replaced 18 years ago at the age of 65; it was not a walk in the park but I got over it; as you will! As I live in France, my operation was carried out at a fantastic hospital in Bordeaux, where the care both before, and after the op was amazing. Be positive and good luck!

[Cowpat2]

I am just 70 yo and had a cabgx3 in July this year. In March I had a cardiac arrest, hence the bypass!! Feeling good now,still doing cardiac rehab twice a week and walking. Just remember our very talented surgeons take this operation as routine, they do several every day. The nursing staff give you equally good attention and get you to the other side of this experience. Positive thinking and you will be fine. Good luck.

[Blackandwhitespaniel]

I had emergency open heart surgery to repair a thoracic aortic dissection in July at the age of 79. I didn’t have any option as it was in danger of rupturing and I would probably die. I had 7 hours of surgery followed by 24 further hours in an induced coma, 4 days in ICU and discharged home 7days later. I have made an amazing recovery and now feel that I am almost back to normal and looking forward to my 80th birthday in January. My biggest problem was having to get up without using my arms in order to protect my sternum as I have arthritis in my knees but somehow I managed. Trust your surgeon, do as you are told and keep positive and I look forward to hearing that you have had your operation and are making good progress. Best wishes for Christmas and a healthy New Year.

[PhilGM]

I was 69 when I had a double bypass 16 months ago, as I was in pain and really felt unable to do much more than sit and sleep it was a relief to know that I could be fixed! Surgery went well and there is nothing to be afraid of. You will meet many people in the same boat and be filled with confidence by them and the professionals. My surgeon had done hundreds of these procedures and couldn’t recall having a problem with an outcome. So just trust the medical staff and do as you are told! Best wishes.