Hi,
Had my triple bypass operation 6 weeks ago today, I still have a very tender to touch left side of chest and feel that if i breathe in deeply i can feel my heart thumping.
Was just wondering if thats normal ?
Also the bottom of my left leg at the front shin still feels numb where the vein was taken for op too
Really starting to get me down now as i thought i would be feeling a bit better, to be honest i felt much fitter/healthier before op on the medication.
The general advice from the NHS is that you can expect to return to work in six to eight weeks following a bypass operation.
Unfortunately a lot of people interpret this as meaning they'll be fully recovered in six to eight weeks.
But that's most unlikely.
Full recovery can take as long as a year, although the majority of people on this forum seem to get there quite a bit quicker than that.
The critical thing is to stick with the breathing and walking exercises, even if you feel fatigued or a bit sore you absolutely have to dig deep and religiously complete the breathing/walking exercise you were given before discharge. If you weren't given anything then read this,
guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/reso...
Don't despair about your progress. I had a bypass operation at the end of 2018. Immediately afterwards I implemented a serious review of lifestyle, changed my diet, exercise regularly, lost two stone: now I genuinely feel ten or twenty years younger.
The bypass operation, followed by the lifestyle changes, were the best things that could have happened and have given me a whole new lease on life. Incidentally, my key health metrics, like blood pressure, HbA1c, etc, are all now back in the safe zones.
So, stick with it. I assure you that if you put the effort in then you'll emerge from this grinning from ear to ear!
Good luck!
Hi Rab58,
6 weeks after surgery is not long at all, your sternum needs at least 10-12 weeks to heal. They harvested my artery from my mammary gland on my left side and my side was was numb for 6 months. At my post op check up the surgeon said when they harvest they rip it out so the nerve endings have a job of sorting themselves out. He said 6 months and it would have righted itself and he was right on the money.
You have been through major surgery and you need time for your heart to settle down, I was told hearts don’t like being handled! You have had a big does of anaesthetic and that takes some time to work it’s way out of our bodies.
Gentle exercise is great but it’s not a sprint so slowly does it.
Things will get better.
Hopefully you will feel better soon.
Best wishes Pauline
Hi Pauline, funny you should say "I was told hearts don’t like being handled", its such a strange thing but I am convinced of this comment!! After my op it was like my heart knew something had gone on and it didnt like it at all!
It was my surgeon who said that and like you think I could tell my heart was wondering what’s gone on! though my boys would tell you I have a good imagination!
After my op I would try and get my head round the fact someone had held my heart in their hands.
Best wishes Pauline
Rab. I had a triple October 2019 and six weeks is I would say only half time. I was lucky and started rehab seven weeks after operation. The symptoms you are experiencing are text book and I had the same and the leg numbness lasted about fourteen weeks but the massages with E45 helps. Rehab nurses advised that the nerve ends take time to heal.
So go slowly and don’t worry or put yourself down. Talk with your cardio nurses they are brilliant and great at picking you up.
I am 62 and really happy with the outcome. I just did as I was told and that’s not easy for the male species 😂😷
6 weeks is WAY to early, you need to slow down and change your lifestyle a bit. Unfortunately us men seem to think "bish bash bosh back to normal" This is going to take time, you need to learn to look after yourself and let your body heal, I would tell you to think about your full recoverey taking up to a year (but what do i know) HTH
I agree with what everyone has said. I had a triple bypass in April 18 & it takes a lot longer than 6 weeks to recover. I was numb around my left chest area & down my left leg especially towards the ankle. The feelings return very slowly & can take many months to return to normal, mine around my left ankle did & has never been quite the same 2 years down the line.
I’m afraid it takes as long as it takes & everyone is different in their recovery time. You are still in the early recovery stage please try to be patient.
Jean
Thanks everyone for the kind words, i think a lot of this is in my head that i should be doing better as ive always been active and now find it difficult to accept that ther are certain things that i cant do at the moment
Rab
Sternotomy recovery
Post CABG recovery
Recovery 
Recovery after minimal invasive AVR
