Heart bypass & Recovery

[St03]

I had an appointment with my surgeon. He told me he will.do a CABG x 5 , off pump. I'm diabetic, controlled cholesterol and blood pressure.

My test results says TVD BUT after meet up with surgeon he says he will do EVH on my hand, leg, left chest. How am I gonna recover with bruises all over me?

I am worried sick about my recovery stage. Can anyone tell me what should I be expecting for my different stages of recovery?

Waking up with so many tubes , I heard about drain tubes for blood? I'm just so confused and afraid.

[080311]

Hi St03,

As I have said before for the first 6-8 weeks after the op no arms above your head, no lifting anything heavier than half a kettle of water. Those first few weeks remember to be kind to yourself you will be emotional and your thoughts will be all over the place, but take baby steps, do the huffing and puffing exercises to get your lungs working properly and gentle walking after that as long as things get back to normal start cardio rehab, helps build your stamina but will certainly help with your mental health, being around others who have been through similar to what you have makes a huge difference.

You ask about bruises, I didn’t have any, left side of my chest was numb for sometime, maybe 6 months, it’s where they harvest the artery and the nerves are trying to sort themselves out to join back up. That’s what my surgeon told me at my check up. Can’t help with the leg but someone will be along to help.

The drains and pacing wires they were not a problem, pacing wires last thing to be taken out before being discharged, drains came out in HD along with the catheter after leaving ICU, the tubes in my neck came out before I left ICU. So you can see you aren’t attached for very long.

Came out of theatre 4pm and by 9am next morning the physio was in ICU and had me walking on the spot!

I can appreciate how scary it is, but once things get going it’s not bad, the thought is much scarier than the reality.

I really wish you well, try and relax, everyone who will be on your medical team do this day in day out. Just think you will have a mended heart and living your life as you should.

Let us know when you are going in, will be routing for you.

Stay safe best wishes Pauline

[St03 in reply to 080311]

Appreciate loads Pauline, my bypass is on 3 June. In fact, being in Asia I dun find much forum like this, hence it has been a relief that I found this forum where I can ask questions and have nice people like urself to reply and give me so much encouragement.

Its a relief to know that I am not alone. And ur right, my state of mind is chaotic as of now.

Once again, thank u so much Pauline

[Hidden]

Hi I had cabg x5 off pump 2 years ago.When I woke up I didn't have any tubes on me,and certainly no bruises.All you can do is put your trust in the staff.They do this every day.The only advice I would give you is get as fit as you can before the operation and you will recover quicker.There will be pain after the operation so take any pain killers they offer,but it's not for long.The worst part for me was my 5 year old grandson kept punching me in the chest.Good luck and welcome to the club.xxx

[St03 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your kind words!

It certainly helps

[VujaDe in reply to St03]

Hi

I am going in tomorrow and have double bypass Friday morning I sit here writing this and never been so vulnerable in my life the fear of the unknown, I just hope everything goes well and yes I am scared more of waking up and panicking ...

[Marnie76]

Hi I had cabg x 4 off pump March this year also diabetic on insulin . Pain was an issue for me post op but now settling managing 2-3 mile walk a day . My incisions on leg arm and sternum healing fine. try to relax listen to what medical team tell you and mobilise as soon as you can

[Dj1962]

I had my bypass on Christmas eve, and I also was worried about drain tubes etc..but I can say I was worried about nothing not sure if it was the morphine but I didn't even notice them..so hopefully you'll be like me and thought was far far worse than reality..

good luck.

[Hidden]

I was ‘lucky’ in the my 5 way CABG was an emergency, no warning, no understanding of what was coming. My 3 way CABG 11 years later I knew what was coming. What I learnt is that the medical team do this all the time and they make you comfortable. Do what they say when you get home, go to cardiac rehab and you’ll be fine. It takes time to recover and don’t rush it. Good luck

[keithsaunders77]

Hi, I had a CABG x4 in Feb this year at Derryford hospital. I cant remember any tubes in the mouth although I did have a few drains and a lot of stitches both in chest and leg.

My recovery has been a little painful at times but things are so much better now. I walk for 30 - 40 minutes 5 times a week as well as doing the BHF level 1 rehab exercise 3 x times a week.

The surgeon and the whole team were fantastic. Try not let the fear put you off.

All the best for the future.

Keith