New here and thanks to everyone involved as feel as though you are with me for my surgery, I am having double bypass open heart surgery Friday, family is in Australia and having operation overseas. I am 45 and feel life has slapped me over the head for a wake up call and I pray I wake up as scary as that sounds it’s what is running through my head over and over.
I changed my diet awhile ago and eating really clean and lost 3 kgs which is suppose to help in recovery, anything people can add to help me prepare or any tips would be so appreciated and thanks in advance
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VujaDe
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Last year I had a triple bypass. The worst thing about it all was the waiting. I had a 6 month wait and then 3 cancelled dates. One time I was all gowned up and on the trolley ready to go. Had to get up get dressed and return the following week. After that all went smoothly and I was home in 5 days. Once you’re in it’s over before you know it and all you concentrate on is getting up and walking and getting your strength back. I don’t mean to sound blasé but my experience was a good one. Expert staff who looked after me. You’re right of course about overthinking it if you can get control of the worrying the rest is in very expert hands.
Hey VujaDe, you're in our thoughts. Many here have been through it, so you're not alone, and take hope from us survivors! Mine wasn't bypass, but I had open heart for fixing a birth defect. I wasn't diagnosed till 50yrs old, I imagine you were as shocked as me, and not expecting something like this till I was older.
The operation itself is the 'easiest' part. The build-up is hard, with scary thoughts as you say. I had some counselling & it helped me enormously with that. Getting my head around some things being out of my control, and focusing on what was in my control, helped a lot. As did having someone to talk to about my fears , without worrying about burdening or scaring my family. Eventually, it became a choice, the lesser of two evils, so worth doing.
The recovery I found a long road, but you'll get through it. I actually found it helped that my parents were far away & unable to visit. Because they're that little bit older & a bit frailer, they'd have found it all hard, if they'd seen me up-close. I was glad they didn't have to see that. It's tough on family, especially if they see you in ICU. Instead, we had phone & video chats when I was feeling up to it. And personally, I really didn't want to see anyone at first.
Maybe figure out your preferences on pain relief & discuss with the nurse in charge of your hospital stay. I was keen to avoid becoming dependent on opioid painkillers, such as oramorph (oral morphine) or cocodamol (codeine, ie tablet morphine), so talked with them about a staggered plan, substituting for paracetamol during the day when I could be distracted, & saving the strong stuff for overnight. It's important to be pain free, so body can rest & heart can heal, but I wanted a balance. Also the morphine isn't great for digestion (constipation). Finally, be ready for fact they may put you on a variety of meds for a while. If you're UK, then a pre-paid prescription certificate can save loads - I think its £27 for 3 months, but it covers as many prescriptions as you need.
As you become able to plod around, your chest will clear & things will get easier. Maybe plan how you're going to sleep & rest, that can be hard - may not be comfy lying flat, may need pillows to sleep propped up, or a recliner. Get a load of easy-watching box sets in, I didn't have full concentration but it was nice to escape with the TV. I also took lots of naps, especially after a walk, don't resist the urge, the heart needs down-time to heal.
I didn't get the opportunity to do cardio rehab, but I've heard it's useful to meet others in a similar position, even if you're one of the youngest. I just did lots of walking round the block.
I found having something medium-term to plan & look forward to helped, a goal, event or trip maybe. Gave me distraction & motivation.
You're already doing such great stuff for your health, one way to see it, is that the op is another good investment in yourself. Hope it goes well, and keep in touch with this group, who may "get it" more than others who haven't experienced what you're going through. Good luck !
I am now 10 days after operation I walked 4km yesterday, my advice would be get a sternum brace while uncomfortable it helps and walk as much as you can will help you feel better mentally and physically never thought after a double bypass I would be writing this so proud
The surgeons want to cut and work part time in butcher shops. I was diagnosed the same at your age. Not satisfied with the diagnosis, I searched and found an alternative: intravenous chelation with EDTA removed the need and no scars !! No surgery and only $1100.00 US. No recovery needed.
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