Hi all
I am new to this site and have been reading through a lot of posts
Recently told I'm to have a double bypass soon
I am struggling to get my head around all this, so wanted to know if anyone that has had their surgery can give me and tips to make the experience better .
Did you wish you had something in particular in hospital with you of have any tips to help get through the weeks after
Many thanks
Sj
First thing
Carry on being busy and don't get too anxious but allow yourself a bit of worry it's natural .
I would as someone to bring some tonic water when they visit , once I had some and did a massive burp I could finally get a full breath :).
If nothing else make sure you use your Spiro breathing "toy" when you get it off physio , it's the one thing that will get you up and home and help you recover fast :).
On the second day in CITU /ICU make sure you watch those nurses do thier job at the end of the beds of those they are waking up , see the passion and professionalism in them ,it's amazing and is the biggest thing I'll remember of it all.
Expect your first shower to completely tire you out ,it's normal , especially putting the compression stockings on :).
Go for a walk as soon as you can even though it's great sitting in chair or lying on the bed 
The biggest tip I can give you is try sleeping with 4 or 5 pillows on your headboard and sat up , it's horrible trying to get comfy and you can't lie on your side for at least 3 weeks , see if you can find something to help with that and you will be out in 4 days , I was out in 5 after a triple :).
Lastly when you get home it's the 5th week at home when you start to feel good and a bit of colour , the chest drain area is last to feel healed
Best of luck
Don't think about it too much ,you ain't needed until you wake up so any worry is wasted 
Thank you deanosbeano for advise I'm very grateful .
I was asked if somone would be home on leaving hospital . Would family popping in and out be enough if I had someone stay overnight . Friends, family have to work .
What can I expect to manage on my own ,
Sj
I'll be honest you need someone for first few nights and first week during days , washing and such is very very tiring and you really don't want to be doing any household chores for at least 3 weeks .
I stopped at me mams and she had a stair lift thank god what a saviour that was :).
If you can afford it book yourself in a home for a week it will reep serious benefits .
There is no massive worries it's just massively taxing on the mind and body that's all . Plus don't think your GP will organise things ,read your discharge letter and
1 arrange a blood test
2 arrange your Chest drain stitches out and any others .
3 arrange your meds as you only get a week off the hospital
4 some meds will want a review before a week is up , try and get your GP to phone to discuss, this will stop any worrying.
Again thank you so much , you have enlightened me and I can now prepare myself much better .
Firstly I will enjoy my holiday in Turkey before my opp and have a week not thinking about it too much 😁
Sj
You are doing right
Don't worry too much it's really a miracle what happens and you will actually be amazed
I could wash, shower and dress myself from about the fourth or fifth day after the operation. I get the impression that's fairly typical. However, I needed help changing the compression stockings (it's a red letter day when those cursed things can finally go after about four weeks post op!), and you can't drive until about six weeks post op so you'll need someone to drive you around if necessary.
As has been mentioned, getting up and walking every day is absolutely critical. Walking a bit further every day is what gets your lungs back to normal. Your lungs take a lot of punishment during open heart surgery, and there will be lots of tiny pockets of collapse that need reflating. That requires daily walking and breathing exercises. The target is a minimum of thirty minutes brisk walking four weeks post op.
It's often said that you can expect to return to a sedentary job after six weeks and to a physical job after eight weeks. Everyone heels at a different pace but those timings sound about right to me. However, even though the bulk of the healing happens within the first two months a "full" recovery, ie to get back fully to where you were before the operation, can take up to a year.
Thank you for your reply
Wow you sound like you managed really well . It's what I hope for too . I dont really want my adult children to have to come and shower me lol
So I won't expect to be running a marathon any time soon maybe in a year or so 😁
Sj
Hi jelliebean. Chappychap has given you the best advice to follow.
I remember my husband being encouraged to cough (the lovely nursing staff persisted until he finally did cough up a little sputum!!).
He went in for a triple bypass but while he was operating, the surgeon thought he'd better bypass another dodgy vessel - so hubby ended up with a quad bypass).
You'll be shown how to breathe properly and with any luck, you won't need any harsh pain killing drugs (morphine and codeine given to hubby made him hallucinate!). He managed with paracetamol after the first day.
We were both worried before the operation but that's only to be expected.
He had the op on the Monday and was home on Friday.
He was a bit fragile for the first few days and as Chappychap says, those compression stockings were a nightmare. We nearly threw a party after 4 weeks when the socks came off!!
They'll help you walk up and down corridors probably a day or two after the operation. You'll be able to shower and pop to the loo yourself!
Try not to worry too much (easy to say)!.
I found this site really great after the op. You'll get so much help so keep in touch.
xxx
Thank you so much Handel
I would feel better if I could shower myself at least. I can lay on my bed and air dry if I have to lol ..will stay in touch now I have found this site . Invaluable 😁. X
Hi Jelliebean
I found all the replies to your post really interesting. I wish I had found this site before my op. My doctors and nurses were also fantastic and the care I had was second to none. My son was living with me when I had mine but as he had just started a new job went to work. I was pretty much independent the moment I left hospital and even caught the bus to go back for a warfarin blood test two days after. My most cherished purchase after coming home were "V" shaped pillows. They made a real stable sleeping position. Only half fill the kettle as you will find normal items are heavy on your chest for a while. I would also emphasis the need to keep active and take the opportunity to attend cardio rehab.
Hope all goes well
Phil
Thank you for your advise Phil the v pillows are on my shopping list along with a comfy bra. You guys save some money there lol !!!
So now I'm thinking maybe I can manage at home when on my own for periods of time , if you could go galavanting on buses 😂🤣
Would you say bed is best or down stairs sleeping on reclining chair ?
How long ago was your opp ?
Sj
Well Jelliebean, I work in the building industry and I have to say some of the guys could definitely use a bra. I slept in my bed with two normal firm pillows and two V pillows. As I gradually improved I took a pillow away. Eventually I could sleep on my side once more. My op was three years ago this coming April. I made a blog about the whole episode. I had never done anything like it before but it gave me something to do and it made me feel better at the time.
Wish you all the best
Phil
I agree with almost all the advice you've had. My quad CABG was nearly 20 years ago and I guess that procedures and aftercare have changed a lot (for the better) since then. In hospital I found it helpful to have headphones on my MP3 (it was actually a Walkman) so that I could listen to my own music AND block out the noise as Intensive Care Units and cardiac wards are VERY noisy. Above all I'd let your body do the thinking. Don't fight tiredness. I took a nap every day when I began to feel weary and usually clonked out for an hour or so- I'd never slept during the day before. As my operation was in early December, keeping warm was important and blankets were useful when I was stationary, reading or watching TV. And when taking those longer and longer strolls which are so useful in getting lungs working again, make sure you are well wrapped up- better too hot than too cold. I hated the compression stockings especially as I had had veins harvested from both legs and the wounds healed badly. Above all remember that you are having a life-saving procedure and there are lots and lots of folk pushing up the daisies who would still be out and about if they had had the operation. I hope all goes well- I'm sure it will.
Our posts are great, Chappychap always good to read! we are all positive and you will get through this ‘journey’ ! My husband spent the waiting time getting ultra fit with masses of walking and boy did it make a difference with the recovery!! and he was walking very quick afterwards! Lots of nutritious meals and we never looked back! All the best this forum is great when going through it! X
Thank you Helsbels
I am getting more walking in ,
My diet not going so well though lol.
In the leaflets they give you, you can buy a special bra for support I need to hear from more ladies weather this is a nessary expense
I am really happy I have found this site x
Lots of chopped fruit in unsweetened joghurt and porridge made with skimmed milk!) with oat bran sprinkled to bulk you up for slow release energy! Salmon baked with veggies, just pile the veggies up! You will be fine!! Xx
hubby just told me move around as soon as you can, ie in the bed in hospital just move when you feel you can do around the bed.. and then you will be up walking ... you are then on the way to the full recovery! Xx
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