Vascular leg bypass surgery?

[kmaczko]

Looking for someone who has experienced this operation. Must decide to go o ahead or not based on quality of life and pain tolerance? Risks , benefits etc. Thanks

[Erixa]

My brother has just had a bypass on his leg.

He had a small blockage at the groin (drugs will disperse this) and a serious blockage below the knee. He even had to consent to amputation if bypass didn't work (he's only 41!).

Fortunately it appears that the bypass was successful!

He had the op on Saturday evening and has been discharged today (Tuesday)

He is a obviously a little sore, will need a walking stick for a while and will probably be on Warfarin for the rest of his life, but he's doing really well!

Good luck with it!

[kmaczko in reply to Erixa]

Thank you so much. So glad it worked. My fear is amputee part cause I can still function. Question? What was deciding factor to get it done ? If you can share. 🤙

[Erixa in reply to kmaczko]

He had no pulse in his leg so doctors said it was a medical emergency.

[Erixa in reply to Erixa]

Also he was in a lot of pain and couldn't sleep.

[benjijen]

My mother has had this done in both legs but over several years. She would have lost one or both legs if not done due to no pulse. She was fine for quite a while is now 89 but pretty much refuses to do any walking etc but this is not due to the op - she has dementia. Her legs are now as bad as before. My point is, if you go ahead you need to keep active afterwards. As they say; use it or lose it.

[kmaczko in reply to benjijen]

Thanks so much for reply. Especially that surgery was successfull.

[kmaczko in reply to kmaczko]

must ask. did leg function return to normal?

[Adaboo]

Hi, how bad are your blockages? So many surgeons just immediately say bypass when there are now so many different procedures. Do you walk much? Have rest pain or wounds??

[kmaczko in reply to Adaboo]

Thanks for reply can walk very slow for 8 to 12 min. I then must sit or stand still for 3 to 4 minutes to recover from pain, then go again. Told me inside leg artery almost totally blocked. I' trying to find out how successful operation is to relieve pain and return to normal if possible and for how long

[LenC]

Hi Kmaczko, sorry to hear that you need surgery.

I am recommending that you do some research if your vascular surgeon is not available to reassure and to advise you. Visit the " Johns Hopkins- femoral popliteal " web page. It contains a richness of information, in lay-man's terms. From diagnostics to recovery. I am not able to give you advice regarding your condition, that will be for your VS to explain.

Following a heart attack in'95, I had a coronary angioplasty performed by my Cardiologist, which was successful. That was followed in 2005 by an AortoBifemoral by pass using a Man-made Graft- which I've had no problems with, touch wood! Then in 2010 I kept getting muscle-pain in my left calf, had a scan which showed that the flow in the artery was interrupted just above my knee. The reason I wanted a man-made graft in preference to a stent, was, in those days, the longevity of the graft compared to a stent or a vein graft. I've experienced some nerve damage due to the surgery. I've since then been diagnosed with the same circulation problem and pain in my right leg, but the capillaries are now supplying enough blood to my feet to keep them warm, and "healthy" for now. I am still active in my business, but battle to walk up stairs. I wish you well and good luck with what ever you decide. Don't forget to go onto the Johns Hopkins site!

[kmaczko in reply to LenC]

See thanks for opinions. Especially man made and John hopkins

[kmaczko]

Ya inside artery is blocked completely. I can walk at slow pace 12 /15 minutes at time. Try to walk hr a day. 3 minute rests. What are alternative procedures. He only mentioned one. Bypass hip to ankle. What hospital in Canada or world is leader in this technology if you know. 🙏

[Adaboo in reply to kmaczko]

USA is world leader, you need an interventional radiologist or cardio to see if you can get an endo vascular procedure rather than plump straight for bypass. So many surgeons though can’t do endo as it’s not their skill. If you can walk then keep doing that more and more which will build collateral vessels to improve blood flow. Keep off inflammatory foods like sugar and processed rubbish. If you haven’t got rest pain or ulcers or stone cold feet then I wouldn’t be getting a bypass. If it’s possible to go to USA let me know and I’ll throw you some names to get intouch with. Have a google with CLI fighters.

[kmaczko in reply to Adaboo]

Thank you so much. This may what I am groping for. I can get to USA but must quarantine for 2 weeks after reentry. This may change July 21. Please forward contact lists. Inside main leg artery blocked. Can walk slow and with 3 minute rest stops every 8 to 12 minutes. Feet are cool sometimes in am , but not cold. Do have several raised , purple areas on ankle. Surrounded by flaky skin. By pas suggested would be from hip to ankle. Incision would be complete length. Try to walk 30 to 60 min a day with frequent rest periods. Other leg is not far behind. Do no know what a interventional cardiologists could do to open blocked artery, but willing to research to fullest and pay $. Maybe Canada has someone. ? Thanks for listening . Keep in touch

[Adaboo in reply to kmaczko]

Have messaged you 🙂