Just received date for CABG2

[Froggie0208]

I have just had a telephone call from Southampton General and given my date for D/bypass next Thursday 22nd August, I’m feeling fine now and very positive but not sure how I will be next week 😩

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Good to hear you have got a date. I have no idea how you will feel next week. Personally I felt quite calm as I had become sick and tired of angina and breathlessness. Even if you get very nervous the moment you start the admission process the sheer professionalism (it is their day job after all) is quite calming. Enjoy a coffee and cake the day before! Good luck!

[Froggie0208 in reply to MichaelJH]

Michaeljh thank you for your reply I really appreciate your positive comment, that’s exactly how I feel, been waiting so long so now it’s here just feel relieved. Im very surprised that I’m not panicking (strange). Must keep up this positive feeling.

Thank you 👍

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to Froggie0208]

A number of people (but not my cardiologists) told me I would be very depressed afterwards and this was a natural reaction. Whilst I woke feeling like the victim of a Big Daddy Splash I was relieved to be free of angina and breathlessness. Within 24 hours of coming around I was walking!

[Gladwyn in reply to MichaelJH]

I'm very glad for you. It must be amazing to move about again without gasping for breath. I have angina and HF after op to insert stents after a heart attack...the surgeon sharply called out NO bypass so that was my future sorted lol. The whole op was a waste of time as for some reason no stents were fitted. Ah well lol 😀

[Froggie0208 in reply to Gladwyn]

Sorry to hear this Gladwyn, really hope they sort you out, I kept on at them after my stents collapsed and now they decided on bypass.

[Gladwyn in reply to Froggie0208]

Thankyou Froggie 😀. I wish you all the best. I hope you will feel as good as Michael.

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to Gladwyn]

You are entitled to a second opinion if you are unhappy. Stents may be possible but depending on the degree of HF bypassing may not be an option.

[Froggie0208 in reply to MichaelJH]

That is brilliant I want to feel like you did and keeping up this positive attitude I’m sure it helps a speedy recovery, feel so smug now but I really hope I can keep this up. I have read a lot of your replies and how much support you give people in here, well done Michael 👍

[Chappychap]

I had a bypass operation in Southampton Hospital in October of last year, so almost a year ago now.

I hadn't appreciated how insidious encroaching angina really is. I actually thought I felt pretty good before the operation, but that was only because the deterioration happened too slowly to spot.

Now I genuinely feel twenty years younger, I go the gym three times a week, I walk for miles in the New Forest, and I think nothing of sailing my boat to France or the Channel Isles.

Yes, the first couple of months after the operation you'll be a bit beaten up, but provided you put the work in to rebuild your lung capacity, then after that you'll feel A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!

The team at Southampton are world class and this operation is transformational, be confident and look forward to embracing a brand new you!

[Froggie0208 in reply to Chappychap]

Thank you so much for your support, I feel positive, like you I just feel breathless and ask myself do I really need to go thru this major op, I have more energy at the moment and run a busy Guest House in barton on sea but I had a heart attack 2016 then a collapsed artery after 2 lots of stents placed so I think they know what they are talking about. We have a mooring on Christchurch river and can’t wait to get back on boat 🚣‍♀️ when I get some free time. My consultant is brilliant. So glad you are feeling fit & well keep it up 👍

[Prada47 in reply to Froggie0208]

I have only ever heard good reports on Southampton Heart Team, when I was in Bournemouth anyone who had been to Southampton just sang its praise, your in good hands.

I have had both CABG and Stents should I ever need either again I wouldn't hesitate to go ahead.

regards

[Froggie0208 in reply to Prada47]

Thank you this is making feel more relaxed as I have to Bly dealt with Bournemouth.

Hope you recovered well and feeling much better. 👍

[Handel in reply to Froggie0208]

Just looking at the comments and I think most has been said. Hubby was up and walking around the ward and going to the loo on day 2 after the op (quad bypass last November). He would have been walking about a bit earlier had the medics noticed he was severely allergic to opiates! Hallucinations aside (he was on paracetamol for pain after the weird reactions to morphine and codeine!), he went from strength to strength and was sent home on day 4 after the op.

We were nervous and apprehensive before and after the op but this proved unfounded.

I agree with Michael - have a coffee and cake! Hospital food here was less than appetising so thank goodness for the 'on site' M and S!

Let us know how you're getting on when you're back home. I've learnt from this site that there are no silly questions (and believe me, I was asking loads!!). All the best from both of us xxx

[Froggie0208 in reply to Handel]

Thank you. What an amazing recovery your husband had, it’s so nice to hear this as I feel the same I want to be up & about ASAP. My husband is more nervous than me he is in a right mess bless him, part of me is trying to be strong for my husband and my grown up children. I will let you know how I get on fingers crossed 🤞 all goes well.

Regards

Sylvie x

[Handel in reply to Froggie0208]

Hi Silvie. I can tell you that I was a right mess worrying about hubby before and after the op but put on a brave face and was very matter of fact about everything. I lost over a stone in weight but didn't realise until Christmas!! I thought my cancer had returned (unexplained weight loss!) but it hadn't!

Show your man some of the posts on this forum. That at least may make him feel a little more positive. Let your husband spoil you when you're back home (cups of tea, fluffing up pillows etc!) as it'll give him something to do to help you recover quickly.

Get one of those V shaped pillows to lean against in bed and on the chair/settee. They're a godsend. xxxx

[Bitez]

You are getting fixed , relax and rejoice xx

[Janma123]

Best wishes for successful surgery and a speedy recovery.

[Matilda777]

Good you have your date. No more wondering when. I'm 6 weeks post surgery so well on the flip side. If you can, just relax and believe in your surgical team. They are working for you and will take good care of you. Aftercare is second to none. You will be home again very quickly. XX

[Froggie0208]

Thank you, all these replies are really helping me forward, I have had many months to prepare and now the date has arrived feeling very positive (surprised, I thought I would be in pieces) will keep you posted.

6 weeks post op for you, how are you feeling? I told my surgeon the only thing that petrifies me is waking up and feeling choked by tube in throat did you feel the same?

Take it easy and have a speedy recovery.

Sylvie x

[Neptune54 in reply to Froggie0208]

I don't even remember the tube to be honest. I'm now post 12 weeks from my triple CABG. I can remember the chest drains but they were only in for a day. I think the worst bit of the whole experience was the walk of the condemned man down to the theatre from the ward just before the op. Cardiac Rehab after your op is great. Its hard work but well worth it. As well as the physical effort during the exercises its great to meet other people and to find you're not alone.

I'm off out to my boat in Greece next week so it'll be several weeks of taking things easy.

[Ian2006]

Hi Froggie - I had CABG x 2 on April 30th. I am 68 and had little or no symptoms - even argued they were looking at the man who was scanned before me as in my words "he was very frail" - but the surgeon pointed to two main artery blockages of close to 99%!

"Very rarely see anyone this blocked with no symptoms" was his quote!

15 weeks later currently in Spain having drove here over 5 days last week. Stay positive - do as they tell you - the coughing exercises, most importantly the rehab classes and if possible listen when they say change your lifestyle.

I ran my own business over 25 years going from a retail shop to having over 100 employees - I know the toll it takes running your own business, always putting yourself last and the business and the customers first.

My wife has changed our diet - slowly but steadily over 6 months. We were recommended on here to watch "Forks over Knives" on Netflix or YouTube - transformational for us. I wasn't massively overweight - 5' 8" - 12 and a half stone - but now eating much healthier towards (but nothing like fully) plant based diet I am a good stone and a bit lighter - feel better. This morning I put on 2 pairs of shorts out of the wardrobe (we have a holiday home here) to go to the town market - both too big - wife said "try the tight ones I bought you last year from Next" - they were perfect - life's getting better by the day!

Good luck and think of yourself now!

PS watch the documentary

[Froggie0208 in reply to Ian2006]

Well done on your recovery 👍 I will most certainly watch this documentary I’m not going thru all this just to go backwards. Thank you

Sylvie x

[Cottagegardener]

Froggie if you’re anything like me you’ll be up one minute and down the next, especially if your friends give you an encouraging hug 😢

I go into hospital for my AVR on Monday so I know exactly how you feel. I also received my op date by phone - bit of a surprise isn’t it !?

The good thing is, if our respective operations go ahead (if we’re not bumped off the list because an emergency has come in) this time next week we’ll be in recovery!

Keep positive, keep busy.

Sending good wishes to you 🌸🌸

[Froggie0208 in reply to Cottagegardener]

And to you, good luck I’ll be thinking of you. Take care

Sylvie x

[Phil-52]

good luck to you Froggie.

I had a quad bypass just over three years ago. As there is nothing else you can do I would recommend you just let the professionals do their stuff and try to relax. Cardio rehab was a godsend. I ran the Birmingham 10K race twelve months after my hospital release to celebrate then the Half marathon five months after.

Take care

Phil

[Froggie0208 in reply to Phil-52]

Well done Phil, so many inspiring words on here. Not had time to be nervous at the moment so busy getting everything organised when I go in. Everyone around me they are so nervous for me that I’m trying to not show them that I’m quiet anxious. I will keep a positive attitude so hopefully encourages a speedy recovery.

Regards sylvie 👍🤞

[Zimmies]

Hi pleased you have a date for the op. I found the waiting the worst part. Once I was in the hospital I felt really quite calm. In fact I walked up to the theatre chatting to the 2 orderlies. I had a 4xbypass. The day after I felt a bit groggy but still managed to get out of bed and shuffle about. A nurse gave me some advice which was really useful. 1 get out of bed and walk as much and as often as possible. 2 don’t be a martyr - take all the pain relief you are offered! I can honestly say I was never in any pain. The first cough worried me a little but I was told a cough could never open the stitching. I had a rolled up towel which I pressed to my chest. My wife took 2 weeks hols to look after me when I got home. Even if you are determined to do things and get out walking nothing prepared me for the sheer exhaustion, but very gradually you can feel yourself getting stronger. I set myself little targets - could I walk to the next lampost tomorrow etc. The main thing I remember was my surgeon telling me the although it is a major operation it is now a routine one which they have been perfecting since 1964. On a practical level I had to sleep sitting up for a couple of weeks and we bought a delta ‘V’ pillow which was brilliant. Good luck.

[Steadyeddie100]

54 weeks ago today, I underwent a Triple CABG. Southampton is one of the best Cardio Units in the Country. They were superb.

Stay positive, and do as you are told and everything will be fine.

Post Op diet change. Be prepared to have your eyes opened as regards the amount of Crap Food there is out there. Oh, and take it steady in the first three months.

Good Luck.

[Padalak6]

Hi, thats good you'vegot a date and I wish you a speedy recovery. I am confused by the title though (unless im just being thick) CABG2 ive had a cabbage 2 years ago for a double bypass but does the 2 mean this is your 2nd one? X

[Froggie0208 in reply to Padalak6]

Hi no it means CABG2 I call it a double bypass 😂 my first one.

Hope your recovery was steady, I’m hoping it’s not going to be as painful as I am thinking.

Xx