Question for the old hands who have had bypass surgery 1year ago or longer

How long was it before you had no chest discomfort at all. Also how long before you felt you were walking at your pre-op optimum?

[Ianc2]

Quite a while, the rehab process doesn't start until at least 8 weeks after the operation, to give your breastbone time to knit together. After the initial process to get you going again, there is usually a follow on course to improve your fitness again and by about 6 months you will be feeling a lot better. How fit were you before?

[Hidden in reply to Ianc2]

Thanks I do already feel a lot better. I am 3 months post op, but I did contract pneumonia and C Diff in hospital - which was nasty. I was pretty fit. 10 days pre event was up and down scaffold 7hrs a day for a week doing window maintenance and felt good. Chest discomfort (and it's not awful) is worse on waking and rising and works out during the day.

[stevejb1810]

Hi. I’m 2 1/2 yrs down the track. I was walking a good distance at a good speed from about 2 months and that has got better and better since. I now walk longer faster than before the op. As for chest pain, if you are talking musculoskeletal pain, then about 3 months - I was swinging golf clubs from 4 months. That said, I had a lot of left shoulder pain that was eventually sorted out with physio.

[Hidden in reply to stevejb1810]

I am only 3 months post op. It isn't pain but discomfort and I think it is def sternum related mixed with nerves which apparently take a year to repair themselves. I can currently walk around half a mile (3 months post op) but did have hospital acquired pneumonis and C Diff after op which impacted my excercise regime.

[080311]

Hi I am 3 years down the road, as the others have said to start with it’s baby steps and then rehab and on to cardio fitness class. So probably 6-7 months and was walking better than before my op. As for discomfort the left side of my chest was numb for over 6 months it’s from them harvesting my artery and the nerves joining back! I would get a tingling sensation and even now occasionally still get it. The wound from the op, you have to remember the sternum was broken so has to heal. It’s like any broken bone. I was very nervous about having it joined together with wire and when I went for a check up with my surgeon I mentioned this and he said 18 months and your sternum will be stronger than mine! Best wishes Pauline

[Hidden]

I am 3 months post op - and with my avid online research got a reasonable idea of what to expect but it is important to get direct experiences I think so thank you. Everyone's experience I know is different. I broke my arm some years back and remember finding out that broken bones heal back stronger - so that's good news for the sternum.

[Heartfeltgood]

Its been 6 years for me I still have pain almost daily, but it is getting a little better. Most of it is my fault on the other hand it has been more painful than the heart attack. I think I could have been fixed with proper diet and exercise along with job change.

[Hidden in reply to Heartfeltgood]

Is it sternum pain? Mine is more discomfort than pain. It's never too late to start with exercise and diet....I don't know about your job.

[Beith]

My triple bypass was 7 months ago today. I can still 'feel' my breastbone now - just an occasional sort of dull sensation in the middle of my chest. No pain or discomfort, just a feeling. I've been walking c10,000 steps daily for the last six months and for the last six weeks, have been doing an average of three gym sessions a week; each session is an hour consisting of treadmill, bike, rowing machine and several cardio/leg/arm machine exercises.

[Hidden in reply to Beith]

Impressive - 5miles and the Gym. I bow to your fitness :)I also have a numbness with mnor soreness but I know that is inevitable and hopefully will lessen/go.

[OttoK]

Hi, I had an aortic valve replacement `and a double bypass at the end of March last year. I still get painful nerve problems in my back with pins and needles down my left arm. After a bit of research I think its neuropathic scapula. In general I think it takes longer than what they say (average six months?) for all the tendons, nerves, etc to mend. Walking is OK-ish, and fatigue is still there but that may be the pills.

Cheers,

Otto

[Hidden in reply to OttoK]

Nerves etc take around a year to heal I think but as with everything everyone is different some take less time and some more. My graft was from my leg - think nerves are currently repairing as last week or so getting sharp tingles. Guess the body has it's own prioritising system My only current discomfort is when deep breathing, this may be related to the hospital acquired pneumonia and C Diff though in terms of recovery (don't have these now).