Can we have a normal life after bypass surgery

How long

does it take to feel normal again after bye pass surgery i mean do you ever feel the same as you did before the heart scare I'm confused with some feedback

[Hidden]

Can I please eemphasise one point with you that clearly does need addressing first: - No one needs major surgery to have bypass surgery for a heart scare! A major cardiac event has been averted (you are still alive) and after a range of conclusive tests a consultant cardiologit expert has assessed your heart condition as chronic that requires a team of specialists to open up your chest and perform micro surgery to the single most important organ of the body - at great expence and with dedication and expertise after years of experience - So heart scare you have deffinately not had!

That clearwe can move on to the healing process. You will have been given a range of very helpful documents about your recovery - please read them for there is little worth repeating how many weeks it takes for the breast bone to knit, how long till I can drive etc etc since all that routine stuff is in your handouts/booklets most of which are supplied by this very organisation - the BHF - and very good they are too.

You will hear almost everyone agree here that everyone is different and therefore will heal differently. I am 10 months since a CABG (look it up if you do not know) and still can feel uncomfortable with breat bone and general stiffness of the chest bones/muscles, expecially when I sneeze. When I do too much labouring in the garden or on the car, or clearing/cleaning the garage. It's a fact of life! I will always have to be careful - no more kick boxing for me I am afraid, Going to work will be fine but probably not as a miner or a fireman - but that really depends on your age, your recovery, your doctor and your consultant. Even a windo cleaner could be initially difficult because of the stretching. A bank manager might be fine as long as you are confident that the stress will not be an issue in the future for if not, stress can play a part in the way you fell and the way your body will feel to the recent events your body has been through.

I can tell you my initial pain after returning home was not good and walking, breathing, coughing and going to the toilet were major issues that will affect almost everyone (we are all different) but they pass and after about 4 to 6 weeks the recent memories of pain fade (humans usually only remember posative things) and will get better day by day - the memory of the constipation however has not passed and that really did scare me - that was the pain killers by the way. Anyway after such invasive surgery it is remarkable how the body and spirit heals and heal you will. Psycological healing, confidence, doubt, depending on how posative you are, could be an issue for if you let fear and doubt into your life, you may well develop into a winging, moaning pain in the arse.

Remember how lucky you are to be here - to have been given a "face lift", an MOT - another chance at life and grasp it with both hands and enjoy it, day by day. No one can tell what is round the corner, so get on with it and always think posative and enjoy those around you. You may feel twinges for years to come and if concerned, voice them to your doctor or cardiac team before they discharge you completely. Do what they advice, change the diet, give up smoking and drinking and exercise more - thank god sex will not kill you! and enjoy life.

I hope this may have helped you and others will answer totally differently however the underlying message will be the same - have faith in yourself and those that have repaired you....oh and well done for becoming a survivor you must diserve it! Good luck my friend

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thank you feeling low kick up the jaksa I'm needing ticker

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thanks

[skid112 Heart Star]

Hi Len,

well I am 2 and a half years post mine. Yes its been a struggle at times but yes you will get there and a more new normal life will resume. Yes my scar has given me problems, the wiring as well but its very much worth it.

Don't try and rush your recovery, you will go backwards, take your time, smell the flowers, and enjoy your new lease of life.

If you want to ask anything just send me a message, i am usually around and happy to share.

Mark

[Shar28]

Morning Len. I’m not a heartie but my husband is. I think it takes a while to establish a new normal and for your confidence to return. Good sources of help are the BHF nurses on their helpline 0300 330 3322, your cardiac nurse if you have one, rehab classes, your GP who can refer you for counselling or perhaps your employer if they have an Assistance Scheme. In the meantime be kind to yourself. One hospital doctor told my husband it’s important not to overdo it but it’s equally important to do enough. I’m sure with time and support you’ll get there. All the best for the future.

[stevejb1810]

You can have a 'normal' life post bypass. I don't think life is ever quite the same as it was - you have huge scars that you didn't have before and you will likely to be taking drugs for the rest of your life - so there are constant reminders of what you have been through. That said, there is no reason why that should be limiting. The life you choose to live post op is down to you, but there is no reason why that should not be full, eventful and fun.

[Nathan53]

Len you won't even be one in a million - I am referring to statistics. Just seen some National Audit Office stats saying there were 226 CABG"s done in 2010 for every million people. This translates to over 16000 in a year. Guess what I am trying to say is that you will be in good hands. Trust the medical team this is something the NHS is good at. You will be well looked after. There can be a long wait for your surgery and it's not good to stress everyday about it. If you can't distract your thoughts and get on with life in the meantime don't blame yourself but do tell your GP as they should be able to refer you to a Counsellor who can talk over your fears with you.

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Thanks for getting in touch regards

[Chappychap]

The key message you get from the NHS is that most people are fit to return to sedentary work after six weeks and to a physical job after eight weeks.

I'm sure that's correct, but at the same time I wonder if it doesn't put a too optimistic spin on things? You may be fit to return to work but that's not the same thing as recovering back to where you were before the bypass operation. I've heard many people say that full recovery can take up to a year. I'm nearly six months post bypass and iI can manage a relatively hard one hour work out at the gym, but on the other hand I'm pretty much wiped out afterwards for several hours where as before I could have done the same workout and then followed it with a days work. So far at least I'm not back to that level of fitness.

And that's just the physical side of things. I didn't have a heart attack before my bypass, but some people who did report it can take a year or even longer to regain their confidence.

Good luck with your recovery.

[bobaxford]

I am 5 years post bypass. I didn’t have a heart attack but a slow build up of atherosclerosis. I am healthier and fitter now 5 years post bypass than I was 5 years before. This is because the need for a bypass made me research and re assess my lifestyle- I changed my diet, do more regular exercise and lost 15 kg in wight. 6 months post bypass I was back playing squash. I feel fortunate in having a second chance, I had what they call the widowmaker a blocked LAD so could have had a fatal HA with no notice, as my father had at age 69. BTW i have just had my 69th birthday so am thankful for the bypass. Please take care of yourself, I prove your diet and lifestyle if appropriate and you will come out of the bypass a happier and healthier person one year later, I certainly did. Good luck.

[Hidden in reply to bobaxford]

Thank you for your support

[dickielex]

I am 7 months away from the 20th anniversary of my quadruple by-pass (CABG). I was back at work in three months and have lived an active life, travelling widely and so forth. I still have good days and bad days but I am in my mid 70s. While I watch my weight, I eat- and drink- well. And I have check ups with both our local cardiac specialist nurse and the heart and lung unit at our nearest hospital whose advice I take. Quite frankly I think that the recipe for recovery and then living with your personal history is to avoid getting too obsessed with your cardiac health, to avoid letting that set of events dominate the rest of your life. You've been repaired; now enjoy life and don't let the past dominate your present life which I hope will be healthy and enjoyable.

[Hidden]

Thank you sincerely

[Heartfeltgood]

I know people who do, it depends on your sense of normalcy and how much pain yo are willing to deal with.