Hi guys
Looking for some advice. My Dad is having a heart bypass at Southampton hospital next Tuesday. Up until his sudden heart attack earlier this year he was a fit and healthy 65 year old. At the time of the heart attack he had two stents inserted but was told he would need bypass following scans. Just wondering if anybody else has had this op, and if so how long were they in hospital for, recovery time, and any complications, and any other advice for him.
Many thanks, Mish
Hi. Many of us have had a bypass procedure. I had a triple bypass October 2019 aged 62. In hospital for eight days. They will advise 7 to 10 is the normal time. Remember this is a very routine procedure to your cardio team but a major procedure for your dad. The recovery is normally around 12 weeks but in various stages in the beginning slowly.
I am sure as you say he was fit and well prior so will be just fine. The key is listen to the cardio nurse and follow all the advice. Good link below
bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...
Thank you so much gilreid1. I will let him know.
Thanks for sharing the information, I can take the initiative not to miss. google.com/search?q=frp+byp...
Sorry what is this regarding? Who are you ?
Hello, I Had Aortic valve replaced and bypass 4 years ago, in hospital 7 days after the op, I was 68 tell your Dad to follow all the instructions given the breathing exercises are something he should continue after he gets home I called them huffing and puffing! Remember his lungs have taken a hit as well as his heart. As already been said this is something that his medical team do day in day out, it is major surgery but he will be fine, it’s baby steps when he gets home 8-10 weeks and his sternum should be healed, getting your stamina back is a slow business but he will get there. Listen to your body if it says I am tired you rest, and let your brain catch up to what as happened to your body, complications I didn’t have anything, they did harvest my mammary artery for my bypass and my left side of my chest was numb for about 6 months when I had my post op check up with the surgeon asked about it and he explained that when they take the artery they rip it out! so the nerve endings take sometime to sort themselves out and he said it would take about 6 months and he was spot on.
I wish your Dad the very best he will be good, and he will be on the mended heart road along with us Hearties 😊
Best wishes Pauline
Thank you so much Pauline both me and my dad are very grateful for such positive advice. So pleased your on the mend
I had a heart bypass operation in Southampton in October 2018. The staff there were amazing!
I won't kid you, the first month or two following the op are no walk in the park. Your dad will need to dig deep to complete his walking exercises and his breathing exercises. But complete them he must. The effort he puts in during this critical time will basically determine how fast and complete his recovery is. Your dad should also think hard about lifestyle changes he can make to slow down the future progress of his heart disease (the bad news is that heart disease is incurable, the good news is that with a lot of determination and a little bit of luck you can slow down the disease's progress to an absolute crawl).
But once your dad is six or eight weeks past the operation then he'll start to quickly get better and better. And hopefully he'll conclude, like many people, that the bypass operation has given him a fresh lease on life, and he'll wake every morning after sleeping like a baby, feeling brimful of energy and eager to meet the new day!
Here's really useful pamphlet on what to expect following a bypass operation,
guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/reso...
Good luck!
Thank you chappy chat.
I’m sending over all your lovely messages to my dad which he really appreciates. X
Hi My dad had a heart attack in February he was a very unhealthy 74 year old 60 a day smoker at the time. He had a quadruple by-pass. It took four hours. He would have been home after a week but he got an infection which set him back a few days. The hospital gave my dad a thick book by NHS that answered the majority of our questions - I’d ask them for one!
We celebrated his 75th birthday with him this week and he’s in fine form now. More energy, not breathless - Non-smoker too! The only problem is trying to keep him in the house as he’s shielding in a lock down area!
As I’ve been in the daughter role for this, I wish I’d have known this...... just let your dad know that as a load of hormones get released when the surgeons mess about with the heart, that he could have some ups and downs mood wise during recovery. Dad has a few days back at home in the early days after his op, where he didn’t have any energy and was really low. It did pass, but I think if he’d been told to expect it, he would have understood it better.
Also, make sure you look after yourself too! Watching someone go through this can be tough but remember to take each day as it comes, rest when you can, eat well, keep hydrated and you’ll be fine.
Wishing you and your dad all the best and you’ll all get through this! We’re here for anything either of you need and if your dad has any questions, am sure my dad will be happy to help answer them, as someone who has got the T-Shirt.....
X
I had a quintuple bypass in Southampton General last summer. They are a great team, although the food leaves a bit to be desired. I was in for 11 days from mid July and back at work in October. As long as he listens to what he's told he'll be good.
Hi Mish,
You could have written about me. I had a clot removed and two stents inserted when I had a HA aged 65. Then was referred for a triple bypass which I had 11 months after my HA. No previous issues before the HA. I was, and indeed still am, a keen hill walker. My surgery was on a Monday morning and I was discharged the following Saturday.
Keeping positive is key, indeed I would say essential. I slowly rebuilt my strength after the op and managed a 10 mile non-stop walk at 8 weeks post-op and was given the okay to start carrying a backpack once my sternum had healed at 13 weeks post-op. I was walking Scottish 2000+ ft hills at 4 months post-op. Haven't had any issues at all. In fact I am better than before the HA - no longer breathless going up hills, no lactic acid build up in my legs and no indigestion if I have a snack while walking.
My best wishes to your father for a full recovery and long life!
Gerald
Hi Mish
I had a triple bypass @ Southampton 2 years ago, I was 64, and was in for 5 days, however I hadn't had an attack, caught in time. They issued me with a compression vest which aided recovery, it holds the ribs together, if you have no breathing problems such as asthma. I was up walking the following day - no rest for the wicked. Excellent staff and surgeons.
All the very best for him, to you and the family.
Just ensure he does as he is told and rests enough and accepts his initial limitations. They will improve. We are not 25...that's just our imaginary age.
I had my bypass at Southampton hospital last November. They are rated one of the best cardio units in the country. I was 76 and very fit but it was hereditary and a stressful
year. Am now back at tennis twice a week. He may have an emotional rollercoaster time and it does take time. I have given it 6 months to get back but people vary. I started walking for a few months and then more excercise day by day. Just flown back from Scotland to see my daughter last Tuesday and although usual tiredness I would have anyway after travel am ok. It’s a good place for the heart and he will have the best treatment.
Ps I should have added I found cardio rehab exercises paramount . You can find really good ones on utube now that lockdown has stopped us going to a centre. They really do work mentally and physically. I found the East Cheshire NHS the best as they remind me of the exercises I used to do at the centre. Hope this helps
I had my quadruple at 51- no heart issue at all prior- I saved it up for a big one!!!! Post op I came out on day 5 - which was the ideal. Recovery is just about being kind to yourself & letting others look after the patient- I wasn’t always good at that. I would def recommend a V shaped pillow. It is uncomfortable to sleep for a few weeks so being on my back but with shoulders propped up really worked for me. Everything gets easier as days go by. I would also suggest just ask this forum as time goes on - everyone’s experience differs but we’ve prob got all scenarios covered. Good luck to your dad 💓
You have received good advice here and I would just like to add that, in case your dad is worrying about it, life expectancy after a bypass is good. I had a triple bypass 15 and a half years ago when I was 72. I have always enjoyed walking but otherwise am not a sporty type so unless your dad particularly wants to run a marathon etc, in the future, he doesn't need to. After a couple of months of slower rehabilitation just try to keep active and maintain a healthy weight and diet. The only longer term symptom I had after the op was chest soreness which lasted, if I remember correctly, nearly two years. I believe this is due to the nerves and muscles in the chest being severely treated during the op. No doubt in the past 15 years improvements in the operation have made it more routine and simpler.
Wish him all the best for me. John
I had bypass age 50 Basildon hospital , first week very hard and put special socks really difficult to me but now 2 years gone I am back to work plumber and I am working fine .
Hi
I had double heart bypass last October. Took about 3 months with just gentle exercises to get me back to a reasonable amount of fitness. Have been back at work now for 7 months and feel great. The secret I think is to take it slowly at first and slowly build yourself up. If offered the fast track study I would take it. They put you on a group exercise class twice a week at the hospital. Really helped me that’s for sure.
Good luck.
Hello, i had a quintuple bypass 3 weeks ago and have been home for a week. Evert day is a bit better than the one before, but recovery at first is slow and you have to be patient.
As a Type 1 diabetic I was disappointed with the hospital food, where sricky toffee pudding and meals with chips were always available but apples or salad were hard to get (sometimes i had to persuade the food-order taker to go further down their list to find the salad options) so with no visitors due to Covid, you may need to drop off a bag with fruit or plain nuts if desired).
I weaned myself off the various morphine-based painkillers after about a week post-surgery, but they were very welcome just after surgery. Dont be shy to ask for pain relief. I also found microwavable heat pads were very helpful around my neck when i went to bed, so maybe ask if they have any (they popped it in a pillowcase). Now at home, i find hot water bottles help a great deal for shoulder/back aches).
I drank lots of water which I think helped my recovery (and walking to the toilet was useful exercise).
I did the recommended exercises and walked around. This is crucial i think.
I asked the names of the medication i was on morning and evening and wrote them down. A couple of times, they omitted items, so i reminded them, so its worth trying to keep alert about what they're giving you.
On my notes they wrote down if i was "alert" or "drowsy", etc, so if you want to avoid an extended hospital stay, it's best to be alert and positive when they come to see you to do observations like blood pressure, and to time your nap at other times when they're not around.
I tried not to be whiny or complaining and chose carefully when and who I asked for help ( e.g. dont ring your bell and ask for water or a blanket when they're busy doing complex procedure on another patient.) Its useful to observe the colour of uniforms (e.g pale blue for nurses, dark green for health care assistants etc) and try to direct your query to the appropriate category of person).
I hope that's helpful.
Good luck.
Although I have not had a Bypass, let me assure you that Southampton General Hospital has one of the best Cardiac dept in the UK. They saved my life 10 years ago after being rushed from work at 6 am with a Heart attack, taken from A&E straight to the 24hr Catheter lab, 2 stents and up to Cardiac ward by 9 am. Next 2 days in specialist ward and home after 3 days.
Hope all goes well
Geoff
My fiancé had a triple bypass in January at the Spire Southampton (but with same surgeon as at Southampton general) only reason he had it done in a private hospital was his need became more urgent and they could do it quicker.
He went into hospital on a Sunday, surgery Monday and was discharged the following Saturday.
He was in intensive care from the Monday to the Wednesday evening (he stayed an extra night to some as he has some problems with his heart rhythm.)
By the time I got to the hospital on the Tuesday he was sat in a chair eating his breakfast - I was amazed! The recovery is long though so be prepared for that.
Not sure if your be allowed in to see him (due to Covid) but if you are, be prepared for the amount of tubes and wires and “stuff” attached. It’s quite shocking initially but they are all helping him to get better.
Expect mood swings - there were days that I could do nothing right and my fiancé was really, really nasty at times and still has the odd horrible day now (he’s not normally like that.)
Not sure if you live locally to Southampton but I don’t and stayed at a place called heartbeat house (purely for the families of cardiac patients at the hospital.) It’s right by the hospital and a wonderful place. You can find them on the internet and Facebook. You do need to pre book though (I also don’t no how Covid has changed things for heartbeat house.)
Look after yourself too - make sure you eat, drink and rest.
Hope it all goes really well 😊
A huge thank you everyone for taking the time to reply to my post. The advice has been sound. I haven’t had the time to respond to each individually but again thanks so much. Great to hear each positive recovery story too. keep safe and well. ❤️
Hi Mish-da, just wondering how your dad's surgery went? Just found out that mum needs one too 😔
Hi Sam, my dad ended up with quadruple bypass on Tuesday. He’s now back on main ward...in some pain which is understandable. But op went well. Bit of a set back this morning as heart rate went up to 196. Still erratic at the moment but on specific IV drugs for next 24hrs. Apparently surgeon said can happen as heart bruised etc. Horrible that we are not being able to visit him 😢.
Will keep you posted, I’m sure he will be right as rain in no time, the lovely peeps here having provided so much support, guidance & reassurance for us.... which I hope you & your Mum will find helpful too.
Best of wishes to you & your Mum. Let me know how it goes & will keep you posted x
Glad to read he is back on the main ward his heart rate will settle, hearts don’t like being handled or that’s what my surgeon said. Just remember when he gets home it’s baby steps when his body says I am tired rest. He is now on the mended heart road and he will get back but it does take time to get your stamina back.
Best wishes to all of you
Pauline
I only had one bypass along with Aortic valve and they harvested it from my mammary artery. Have heard about the leg being very painful, my chest was just numb with the feeling of an Elastoplast being ripped off for 6 months. Hope the pain settles for him quickly, tell him not to suffer ask for pain relief when he needs to.
Best wishes Pauline
Heart Bypass 
heart bypass graph
Post-heart bypass physio?
Awaiting bypass
After heart bypass 
