It’s 3 months on from my Triple bypass. It’s been a bit of a challenge but think I’m getting there!! Should have started my rehabilitation course today but that’s all been cancelled. So I’ve been doing my daily walks which I’ve been doing for 3 weeks now. Just been doing a mile but yesterday upped it to 2 miles. I wear my heart rate watch when I’m doing the walks. Feel I should be doing more but I guess I better not over do it!!! Really inspired by other posts where they are cycling and running, hats off to you all no matter how far you go.
I’ve got a checkup in Dec, but other then that I don’t hear from anybody. Take a few pills every day, chest is still pretty sore so a bit uncomfortable when sleeping but hey ho.
Wish everyone well in their recovery.
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Zzr93
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Hi, great to read your post, your doing well. As you say slow and steady wins the race😉 I am 4 years on from my heart surgery Aortic valve replaced and bypass, your sternum does take time to heal completely. Surgeon said 18 months after surgery it would be stronger than his new bone would grow over the wires holding our sternum together.
Being checked on (this was before the pandemic ) 6 week check with the surgeon 6 months later check with cardiologist and he discharged me back to my GP. Because of the valve replacement I have echocardiogram every year to check the pressure. ( not so far this year) .
ZZ you are right on schedule. Keep going at a steady pace and you will enjoy your new found life. I also had a triple bypass and other than a review by cardiologist after six weeks no need to bother them further. GP for medication checks and everything else is good.
Great to hear of your progress. Slow and steady wins the race as they say. If I can offer any advice I would just say listen to your body. Never be afraid to have a day (or two) off. Onwards and upwards.
Your rate of recovery will depend on many factors, not least your age and your fitness level and lifestyle before you had the op. Your body will certainly let you know your limits. For me it was easy to get back into the hill walking that I love and I was back on the hills after 3 months. However, when i was in hospital I saw how others were coping and it was plain to see that for them recovery would be much more of a challenge. So I say, avoid comparisons and keep on doing what you are doing. Steady does it and keep positive - mental wellbeing is as important as the physical side.
After a few months Eventually got to 20 minutes on an exercise bike, 20 minutes walking on a treadmill and 20 minutes on a rowing machine.
At that point I decided fresh air was much more appealing and was off walking around the old railway lines that have been converted into community paths. I try and get a minimum of 8,000 nice and easy steps in , and on a good day quite a lot more, with a cup of coffee half way round
I was given a fitbit and find it to be a useful bit of kit for monitoring what is going on and agree with all the previous comments. My operation took place in 2014. After the op I used to lie in bed and listen to the whooshing noise as my heart got on with it. Now
I don't notice it and I enjoy being alive. So will you.
Hiv there I'm in the same place timewise having reached my three months since bypass surgery yesterday. I walk for about half an hour a day, gradually increasing length (or strenuousness/speed in the middle section) per advice given to me. At 59 i don't plan on taking up jogging!
Re the exercise, the British Heart Foundation has official videos on YouTube, starting at Level 1 and going upwards. My cardiac rehab nurse sent me the link and discussed how to use them on a phone consultation 6 weeks after my operation (since the in-person cardiac rehab due to start then was paused due to Covid ). She also sent me a useful cardiac rehab manual/workbook and DVD with the YouTube cardio exercise videos on it. And she phones me every week to see how my exercise is going. I'd suggest you get in touch with your own cardiac rehab team to see if they do something similar where you are (I'm in Wales). If not, then I'd suggest calling the BHF helpline and getting advice on a DIY cardiac rehab programme for you to follow at home.
I found the BHF videos a tiny bit dull though, so my nurse suggested looking on YouTube for Joe Wicks' low impact workouts, which i plan to do.
My arms are weak from not using them much for three months (to let the sternum heal), so I am now also starting a gentle arm exercise programme with very light hand weights to gradually build them up again. (Very gentle at present as I'm paranoid about damaging my sternum wires) Also doing step ups on the bottom stair and squats through the day, like when waiting for the kettle to boil!
Well done on the regular walks, that's said to be the best medicine for us bypass hearties!
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