Recovery from Heart Bypass operation

[Spirite]

I have recently (12 May )had a 5 x Heart Bypass operation. My recovery seems to be going slow - is that to be expected ? I am currently up to 10 minute walks 3 times a day. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks

[080311]

Hello Spirite,

For 3 weeks on from your surgery you are doing really well, you need to build up your stamina and listen to your body, you have been through major surgery and getting back takes time. Rest when you need to, take your meds and you will get there.

I am nearly 4 years on from my surgery and grateful every day for the medical team that gave me my life back.

With the virus cardio rehab seems to be on hold, but when things get a bit more normal look to doing rehab, I found it invaluable.

Remember it’s baby steps to start with, and when your sternum is fully healed it’s onwards and upwards, you are now travelling the heart road we are all travelling on.

I wish you lots of luck,

Stay safe best wishes Pauline

[Spirite in reply to 080311]

Thank you Pauline for your reply - it’s lovely to hear that it’s tiny steps to start with which takes a lot of the worry away about how slow my recovery is.

Thanks again

[gibbo66]

At 3 weeks I couldn’t walk very far. It soon builds up and I am now doing a bit of running but it takes months. Just continue to push yourself but don’t punish yourself too much.

[Spirite in reply to gibbo66]

Thanks for that advice and it’s good to hear not to punish myself and let it build up gradually.

Cheers Ian

[gilreid1]

Hi three weeks since your major surgery you are doing well. Remember if it was not for the restriction of the virus you would not be starting your cardio rehab until6/7 weeks. Keep slowly progressing as you are. The BHF rehab web site will guide you if you have any doubt.

Keep calm and stay safe

[Spirite in reply to gilreid1]

Thanks for the advice - it’s valuable to hear that I’m not in effect falling behind in my re-hab and I am on the right track. It’s difficult to comprehend how much time it takes.

Cheers Ian

[Hidden]

Hi Sprite. As everyone has already said you're on track. I had a double bypass in Feb and three weeks post op I was in the same place you are. I'm now cycling, walking/running or boxing training most days so it does come back, you just have to be patient. As you said, until you're in the position we're in its hard to comprehend just how long it takes to recover.

[Spirite in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for the knowledge and experience of my current position it’s a great help and puts my mind at rest 😎👍

[Pollypuss]

Take it easy and don’t worry . Paramount you go to cardio rehab when all this is over but there are some very good genuine workouts on utube especially for cardio patients. I am a triple bypass female 78 and returned to tennis last week after six months. But don’t rush

[Spirite in reply to Pollypuss]

Thank you for your helpful knowledge about workouts and the valuable advice not to rush!!

Thanks again

[Ianc2]

Take it easy and let your body make it's repairs. The body burglars have had a fine old time moving stuff all over your insides and it does take a lot of effort by your recovery mechanisms to get everything back together and get your fitness back. After the first three months you will be feeling and moving much better, your sternum will have knitted back together and you will be able to exercise more easily.

As part of the rehab program they uses to do a beep test on commencing the recovery program , and another on completion of the first stage and you should be able to see a marked improvement and be able to move onto the next stage and slowly gather strength and capability. After 3 months you will begin to feel and move a lot better and be able to look at addressing the bad habits that caused your arteries to clog up in the first place.

I measured my progress in lampposts and driveways. Your progress will be slow and steady and you will be able to enjoy the birds, the flowers and the sunshine and the showers. Have fun.

[Spirite in reply to Ianc2]

After reading your reply I’m looking forward to 3 months anniversary of my op to see where I am with my progress.

[Handel]

Hello Spirite.

Doesn't sound like your recovery is slow if you're out walking after 3 weeks! As others have said, it's baby steps and build up slowly. I found my husband was on the road to normality after 3 months.

As he suffers with 'white coat syndrome', the cardio rehab team refused to have him back after the first couple of sessions as his BP went through the roof!!! Our GP fitted a 24 hour monitor just to check and his BP was 110/67!! I check it at home anyway and its perfect (wished mine was!!).

Good luck and please don't think you're not doing well - you really are xxxxx

[Spirite in reply to Handel]

Thank you for your support in the fledgling stage of my recovery.

Cannot wait for 3 months 😄😄

[Handel in reply to Spirite]

😂!!

If you're doing what you're doing after 3 weeks, I can't see your recovery slowing down. You'll be running marathons in 3 months!!!

Keep up the good work and don't worry xxx

[Spirite in reply to Handel]

Thank you again - I’ve just upped my walking to 15 mins three times a day 👍👍

[Handel in reply to Spirite]

Nice one!! Don't overdo it though xxxx

[Hidden]

Yes, recovery is slow and also depends on a whole range of other things like age, prior fitness and health and any surgery complications. I had a 5 way at 48 and as an ex military officer was fit and quickly recovered. My 3 way at age 60 took longer.

[Spirite in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for that - I suppose everyone is different but I just wanted a general position of where I am in recovery.

I hope you don’t mind me asking why did you have to have another bypass after 12 years

[Hidden in reply to Spirite]

Bypasses don’t last forever. I was told after my 5 way at 48 that 10 years is good. Also, restenosis where things close again can occur within a year for a percentage of patients. If you take meds, eat well, exercise etc they last longer. My first surgery was faulty so I had 4 stents 8 months after the 5 way. The faulty grafts failed completely in 2017 requiring more surgery.

[Nic25]

I'd just say that, at just three weeks, that sounds like great progress! It's not a competition but slow and steady often wins the race! A 5x bypass is a big op (I had an AVR) so it will take time, and three weeks is very early days. But it sounds to me like you're doing precisely the right thing and not trying to overdo things. Good luck and hope the recovery continues. Nic x

[Spirite in reply to Nic25]

Thanks Nic - I’m happy with all the answers and replies I’ve had.

I’m now confident I’m on the right track 👊🏻👊🏻👏