How long should recovery take?

[Max1019]

Double bypass done October 19. Still in a lot of pain both in chest and leg, any others struggled for that long?

[gilreid1]

I had a triple bypass 16th October 2019. By this time I had been to rehab for three weeks 6 sessions. Was in discomfort but would not say pain. Stopped pain killers after about three weeks post op and managed pain ok. Full rehab is normally twelve to sixteen weeks. Are you in contact with your cardio nurses and or GP. What exercise are you attempting. Is the pain muscular or your sternum?

Talk with GP or your contact cardio.

Gil

[080311]

Hello Corn24

Welcome to the forum, I had my surgery 4 years ago Aortic valve replaced and bypass. Reading your bio it says the op went wrong, you don’t say how. Could this have something to do with your pain? Your sternum will take 8-10 weeks to heal, and up to that point no lifting anything heavier than half a kettle of water, no arms above your head. I had the feeling of someone pulling an Elastoplast off it was a sharp pain gone as quick as it came. Can’t say I had any pain from my sternum just aching sometimes.

My surgeon said at my post op check when they harvest our artery they pull it out! So the nerve endings have a bit of a job sorting themselves out to join up properly again.

Are you still taking your pain relief? If this isn’t helping maybe a word with your cardio nurse? Or your GP.

Remember you have been through major surgery, it takes time for our body to get over this, our brain is still processing what as happened to us.

Gentle walking keep doing your breathing exercises and if you pain is something unusual then a telephone call to your GP.

You are now a member of the Hearties family and if you need to talk someone will be along to listen or give you a shoulder to lean on if that’s what you need.

You will get there it just takes time.

Pauline

[Max1019 in reply to 080311]

Thanks.It was the angiogram that went wrong which then propelled me into having bypass. Got to stage lV rehab, then COVID lock down. Had numerous chats with GP but now seem to be at a stand still. Not sure if I am expecting too much.

[080311 in reply to Max1019]

Have you had follow up appointment with cardiologist or is another COVID appointment gone haywire. Getting over our surgery does take time, and because of the pandemic things are a bit all over the place. If you got part way through cardio rehab, then just keep your walking going. As others have said it takes time sometimes longer than we expect.

Pauline

[Max1019 in reply to 080311]

I was discharged from Cardiologist in December 19. Had numerous chats with Physio team and gp. Just wondered if anyone else had taken this long. I do plenty of walking and stretching exercises. Just wasn’t expecting it to take this long.

[080311 in reply to Max1019]

Morning,

After rereading your post you say you have pain in your chest is this from the incision or is it chest pain, after over a year would have thought your chest wound would be ok, my surgeon said that after 18 months the sternum would be stronger than his as new bone grows over the wires. If it’s chest pain say from your heart then a chat with your GP is called for. The leg pain have a friend who is still having pain from where they took the graft in the leg 20 months along. My graft was from my mammary gland and 4 years on every few months can get the same feeling of someone pulling an Elastoplast off that I had after my surgery.

It does take time, and we are all different.

Pauline

[Mart25]

I had my bypass operation on October 11th, so I am just a week ahead of you. They tell us that patients recover at different rates and in different ways, but your experience doesn't sound unusual. I found the pain in my chest started to get significantly better after around 6 weeks. Before then I really struggled to get comfortable in bed, and sleeping was very difficult. Once I started to get a better night's sleep, then everything started to get better. Now (at nearly 11 weeks post-op) my chest is beginning to feel almost normal. The skin at the top of the scar is still a bit inflamed and sensitive to touch, but I'm massaging the scar gently with E45 cream to keep the skin moisturised and I think it helps. The worst thing for me is sneezing!

I think excercise has been very helpful. I'm walking for about an hour a day at a brisk pace now, and I'm sure this helps open up the lungs and keeps the chest moving. My leg, in contrast, is still sore ("pain" isn't quite the right word) and my knee is quite numb. It's because the surgeons can't avoid damaging the nerve when removing the vein they use for the bypass. I think it's gradually getting better and I'm told the leg can take months to recover, so I'm trying my best to be patient.

Others have suggested getting in touch with your cardiac rehab nurses and this is surely the best thing to do if you are concerned. Worrying makes everything worse, and I'm sure the nurses will have some good advice.

Best wishes, Martin

[MountainGoat52]

Sorry to hear that you are in pain while you recover from your bypass operation. As others have said, how quickly we recover depends on the individual. Age and fitness level before the operation are significant factors. I think we all have had some issues during recovery - mine was sleeping as I found it impossible to get on my side for six weeks and then only on one side. I could walk many miles before I could sleep comfortably.

The important thing is to keep positive and recognise that the problems that you are experiencing will not last forever. I would suggest that you speak to your cardiac team about the pain and see what they suggest.

I hope you are more comfortable soon. All the best,

Gerald