Heart bypass

[Kieronwhite]

Just waiting for a date for heart bypass surgery. Would like any tips, what to expect after the op.

[christina1947]

Just want to say wish you all the best and hope you have a quick recovery take carexxx

[Kieronwhite]

Thank you

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

I had a quadruple in June 2018. It is massively invasive so will feel somewhat battered afterwards. However, it is a routine operation for the surgeons and associated staff although not for us. The link outlines what happens and there is a link to a downloadable BHF booklet. Good luck.

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

[Ianc2]

Have a look at the 'Related Posts' on the right hand side of the page. It is a major operation and a major life saver. Feel free to ask any questions you like - quite a few people on this blog are fully paid up members of the zipper club and will be happy to respond to you, if they are not on holiday somewhere...

[SpiritoftheFloyd in reply to Ianc2]

Hello! you still here? Aren't you in the Med eating gelato yet?

[Ianc2]

easy jet 6.45am Tuesday morning . Gelato by lunch time.

[SpiritoftheFloyd in reply to Ianc2]

Well done. I'll think of you, sitting in the warm sunshine enjoying your gelato without a care in the world - while I'm in the gym 😰

[Hidden]

The British Heart Foundation (BHF) have a range of the most helpful information on all of the facets of heart disease through to recovery from operations to moving forward. They can be found at bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

I still have them all one year after my surgery. All went well and was the best thing that ever happened to me. All that went with that has been assigned to memory. It was not a doddle, it was painful during recovery from the operation and worrying but it all passed.

The range of books are also very helpful for your partner since your recovery can be challenging for those that have to look after you. Mood swings, pain etc. My only advice to give to you would be always to go to the doctor if you feel there is anything wrong or if you are having problems in the first few days with pain management, for pain can be such a drain to the system. But remember the pain gets better day by day. Just try and be good to your carer! Do not worry about the Gate Guard (the receptionist) to the doctor, just mention cardiac surgery and it is like a magic key - much better than "Opensezame"

Good luck and welcome to the rest of your life - be grateful, be tolerant and keep your gift of life as safe as you possibly can.

[edsonaguta]

It's a good idea to be well prepared before going into hospital to have a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG)

Find out as much as you can about what your operation involves. Your hospital may provide written information.

Ask a friend or relative to help you at home for a week or 2 after coming home from hospital.

Arrange for a friend, relative or a taxi to take you to and from the hospital.

Before going for your operation, put your TV remote control, radio, telephone, medications, tissues, address book and glasses on a table next to where you'll spend most of your time when you come out of hospital.

Stock up on food that's easy to prepare, such as frozen ready meals.

Before going into hospital, have a long bath or shower, cut your nails (don't forget to take off any nail polish) and wash your hair.

[CoachBrown]

Had CABGx3 on 4/30/19. I’m 46.

Surgery is normal for the docs so try not to stress. They’ll have you up pretty fast walking around. Your body will feel pretty banged up but moving helps build up balance and strength. Listen to your nurses and communicate about pain. Mine was not bad and I was taking low end stuff for about two weeks.

Work on core strength because you won’t be using your arms for about 6 weeks. Do not rush the arm rule! The number one concern will actually be your ribs since your heart will be fixed!

Sleep will be a pain because you’ll be on your back only for a few weeks. Get pillows to prop you up. It helps.

You will be emotional. I think we all were/are. It’s normal. I was crying quite a bit thinking of the experience (I had rare complications) but I saw a therapist and have an outstanding wife.

Best advice I can give is that it gets much better, I promise! Exercise is so important! Slowly build up following doctors recommendations. At ten days I walked a 32 minute mile taking multiple times to stop and rest. It was frustrating. By six weeks I cut it in half. At two months I was doing small hikes. At three months I was doing long hikes with elevation. I’m six months out and I’m in better shape now than before the surgery! Still working on stamina for the work day, my harvest leg is still a little swollen, and my scar itches. That’s the only noticeable issues at this point.

Good luck! Remember that you’ll be much better off when the experience is finished!

[Handel]

Hi Kieron. I can only speak from my husband's experience last November. This forum was a life saver for me so don't forget to ask questions here (there's no such thing as a silly question and believe me, I asked loads!!).

Hubby was walking around (slowly) a couple of days after the operation. Going to the loo and showering on his own was brilliant!

You'll be given paid meds - hubby couldn't have opiates as he was hallucinating with them so he just had paracetamol.

After 3 days he had all the tubes and pipes removed. I bought the sports channel on his bedside TV and that was a godsend!

He had the operation on the Monday and was home Friday evening.

If you're having a lift home, remember to have a pillow or something soft to hold against your chest in the car. The seatbelt can be very uncomfortable without some cushioning.

Tell your driver not to go over speed bumps too fast!!

Get a V shaped pillow for home. Great to stick behind head and shoulders to keep you comfortable. Sleep at night was a bit of a nightmare for hubby so try to get a few daytime naps in.

You'll be given information on exercise and walking post op. It may seem hard at the time but you'll be glad you kept on going.

You'll probably have loads of questions once you're back home. Just contact your mates on this site!

Let us know when you're home. xxxx

[santisuk]

My first tip, having had a triple bypass 4 months ago is to know that the chest pains from the 'opening up' might recur to some extent for a period longer than your thoracic surgeon/cardiologist might say, so don't get concerned if that happens to you. My specialists advised I should expect my pains to disappear within 3 months, so when I got revisitations in month 4 recently and checked on the internet (which also seemed to think 3 months was the cut off) I panicked a bit and assumed I was having a bronchiectasis lung infection, so checked with my local pulmonologist who told me I had pneumonia. To cut a long story short I subsequently had reason to consult my bronchiectasis specialists in Thailand then the UK. The Thai specialist told me the pneumonia diagnosis was plain wrong saying it was just after-effects of the heart surgery and my UK specialist commented that 'heart surgeons are prone to advise a recovery time shorter than it actually is'. Both of these lung specialists worked in multi-discipline heart-lung teams and so had good experience of understanding the workings of the chest post recovery.

My second tip would be not to worry too much about the pains - they can be severe in the early stages and you may need to demand stronger painkillers if they get out of hand. I was obviously given strong painkillers (morphine etc) while in ICU for 3 days but my thoracic surgeon seemed wedded to the idea that paracetamol (8 a day if necessary) was sufficient thereafter, which it was for most of the time, but not all of the time. Medics now are all clearly very conscious of not getting their patients into an addicted relationship with opiods. In order to break my surgeon's grip I had to have a serious talk with him "look I am 68 years old and I've lived through the LSD, cocaine and amphetamine generation without becoming a user even though it was around for the taking in my social situations ....." If you are strong enough to get the medication you need the pain experience is quite tolerable.

Best of luck with the surgery. Apart from the chest pains coming back occasionally (not invasive enough for me to even need paracetamol) and a bit of atrial fibrillation while in ICU, that delayed my release from hospital to 10 days, not the promised 7, my recovery has gone well and I was back up to 5km daily walks within a month of leaving hospital. I don't find myself worrying about my heart. Recognise that although there are risks in the surgery a bypass is now in the category of 'falling off a log' for thoracic surgeons and for those monitoring you while in recovery. Also you are going to be surrounded by such a wealth of expertise and specialist equipment while in theatre.

[Kieronwhite in reply to santisuk]

Thank you so much this has helped tremendously

[CABGx4]

My husband had a quad in March 2015, came home on day 5 post op. As others have said, major thing was sleep (or lack of). He tried to get naps during the day as he couldn't really get comfy in bed and used to wander the house at night 😢 We rejoiced on his first night sleeping straight through! His recovery was quicker than we had thought and by week 3 he was able to walk half a mile and very soon after a mile. His leg wound took quite a while to heal as he'd been cut from groin to ankle, worst area round his knee. He went to cardiac rehab at local gym which gave him confidence and reassurance. Only after his op did he realise just how ill he had been and he hasn't had any issues since and continues to leave me behind on our regular country walks!

[Kieronwhite in reply to CABGx4]

Thanks for the response sounds very positive and it gives me a lot of reassurance

[shieldy]

Hi Kieronwhite.

I have had a quadruple heart by-pass a number of years ago, the most important thing to do is stick at rehab and you will be a new person, you will enjoy it also, and put your faith in the surgeons who do a fantastic operation, you will find it is really an amazing operation.

[Kieronwhite in reply to shieldy]

Hi Shieldy, thanks for your reply. I will stick to the rehab once I have had the op just want it done now so I can get on with life

[Andytriumph63]

Had my bypass in Feb now can walk wherever I want and am booking a ski holiday for March. Main tip I would say is do exactly what you are told if you dont it can lead to post op complications and infections.Recovery is tough and you need to ensure you use all post op support available but its not for long and you will feel better day by day. You will possibly feel quite down after the op but that goes quickly as well. My surgeon was open about the post op pain and that helped with expectations take the meds and look forward to the new life it will bring.

[Gail1967]

I’m 5 months now post cabg x4 and have to say I sometimes forget that it even happened. Yes I have the zipper to remind me and sometimes the chest is a bit sore but I walk as quick and far as I did before and am now running too. I too had the allergy to opioids but making sure you do the regular 4 hourly paracetamol - not just when you think you need them like I started to do- keeps you topped up and in control. Pillows behind your shoulders to get in a comfortable sleeping position are a must. Sneezing was the only thing that made me cry early days- so a teddy or cushion to hug really helps. Best advice is to take things slow - use the support around you and be kind to yourself - there will be times when you wonder why and when will you ever feel over it- but it happens slowly and surely. Take each day as it comes. Good luck

[CABGx4 in reply to Gail1967]

I had forgotten about the first time my husband sneezed, he was in agony. Did you use the rolled up towel technique to breathe etc?