Bypass follow up.

[tjh990]

I had a quadruple heart bypass on December 24th 2019, I had my 6 week check up early February 2020 with no problems...now 13 months since op...heard nothing from anyone (not even my own GP)... I do feel good with no big problems (just sometimes a little tender towards the bottom of my scar). Is there no follow up after this surgery?

[gilreid1]

Following my heart bypass October 2019 I had a six week follow up with the surgeon. After a check up and a good conversation His words were I have done my bit now you look after your heart and I should not need to see you again. I have been in contact with my GP on minor issues and a medication review after one year.

So far all good.

Stay safe

Gil

[tjh990 in reply to gilreid1]

Thanks Gil.

[AubreySo in reply to gilreid1]

As long as your surgery went well with no complications, your surgeon would not typically need to see you again following the initial follow ups. You should have been referred for Cardiac rehab where they would monitor your activity tolerance and put you through a stress test again at various stages of your recovery to see your heart health and conditioning progression. This is also a good way to catch any issues which may arise as you would typically be followed by a cardiologist through the cardiac rehab program. It is not too late to start if you have not already. Contact your local Hospital to see where they are running a cardiac rehab program near you.

[gilreid1 in reply to AubreySo]

In the UK you are contacted by rehab team prior to your procedure (in Aberdeen anyway) you are taken thru the procedure start to finish. Rehab is voluntary and surprisingly not everyone uptakes. And it also closed at the moment for obvious reasons during pandemic. But a lot of could advice on home rehab on BHF web sites

Gil

[AubreySo in reply to gilreid1]

Stats show at least a 20-30% reduction in post-op mortality rate and improved long term success from By-pass surgery. You would go through rehab even if you broke your arm and had surgery so rehab after fixing your heart is even more important. There are plenty of Virtual Cardiac rehab programs running right now as much of it is education and accountability which can easily be done over a virtual forum. I had triple by-pass surgery 4months ago and I have been given protocols to follow and I connect with the team virtually. It’s a long term process but with exercise and dietary modifications. Let me know if you need some help with that.

[tjh990 in reply to AubreySo]

I had 1 week of rehab before covid arrived but did much exercise in the garden without any problems.

[gilreid1 in reply to AubreySo]

Aubrey. Why are you replying to me ? I was not the original poster.

Take Care

Gil

[080311]

Had my post op check after Aortic valve replaced and bypass 6 weeks after surgery and a check with my cardiologist after 6 months, discharged from him back to the care of GP, have yearly echocardiogram (not last year ) to check pressure of the valve, have yearly blood test with GP and for any worries that’s my first port of call.

Take care Pauline

[Fluffybee in reply to 080311]

Hi my lovely, 🤗 how are you getting on ?

[080311 in reply to Fluffybee]

Doing better back still painful but getting better, John is still quite nervous but he’s getting better too. You name a colour and his back as a shade of it! Have just been doing my supermarket delivery order, and saw walnut whips and you came to mind😂

Hope your pain is easier today, thank you so much for asking how we are.

Take good care of yourself.

Pauline

[Fluffybee in reply to 080311]

Oh I just want to give you a big squishy cuddle 🤗🤗

You’re both going through so much.

I wish walnut whips came up on my food shop list, there isn’t any, must’ve bought them all 🥴 x

[080311 in reply to Fluffybee]

Morning Fluffybee

We got up this morning, both are getting better, my back is still sore but not as bad as it was, got out of bed without saying ouch 😩 John is getting there, eating a good breakfast which is a step in the right direction.

How’s your pain? I really hope you are more comfortable.

Hope your day goes well,

With love Pauline. Xx

[tjh990 in reply to 080311]

Thanks Pauline

[Dj1962]

Hi tjh990..I had my bypass on the same day,so I'm on exactly the same timeline..i was discharged from the surgical team after 6 weeks and told any problems go to my GP..like you I'm relatively ok had a few issues with medication stopping me doing as much exercise as i want..but even that is now getting better..Just remembered I have been called back to my doctor for a 6 month CHD blood test..All the best..

[tjh990 in reply to Dj1962]

Thanks dj19)2, so you had a Merry Christmas 2019 as well.

[Dj1962 in reply to tjh990]

Yes..went down for surgery at 2PM..i remember the surgical team were in a very jolly mood...😊

[Pollypuss]

I had my bypass within the same timescale as you. I requested a full blood test a few months back and went to the surgery to have it. All was ok but I think I am due for some sort of inspection some time but with the way things are at the moment I had better wait a while. Might be a good idea for you to ring your doctor and see what they say

[tjh990 in reply to Pollypuss]

Thank you for your reply Pollypuss

[reidmar]

Hi

It's great that you're feeling good and that should be the main thing, I to had a quad in jan 2019 but unfortunately had a few issues and was back in within 10 days for another 2 weeks to get sorted but again like yourself had a 6 week check up with the surgeon (I didn't even get to see or thank the guy who done my quad just another member of the cardiac team) but at that stage I was then discharged by the surgery team back onto my GP and told that should be my point of contact should any minor issues or concerns arise as the hospital were happy with how I was at the 6 week time-frame however I was also told at this time that my GP would normally need tyo check on my medications and maybe make a few slight changes to these along with carrying out checks on liver/kidney function as some of my meds can maybe have side effects on a very few occasions. I've since been having a blood test every 6 months or so just to keep an eye on things with thankfully no issues, but I do think I'm lucky to have a great GP.

Can I suggest to ease your mind that you simply give your GP a call to discuss any concerns you may have following on from your surgery and even with the covid issue it would appear that most GP's seem to be carrying out risk free telephone consultations at the initial stage and only bring people into the surgery when they deem it neccessary for further consultation. Given that you say you've been generally good there shouldn't be any issue bit I'd be suprised if they didn't ask you down to the surgery to have a brief check up given that you've had a quad bypass.

Hope your health keeps improving and take care

Mark

[tjh990 in reply to reidmar]

Thanks Mark, I may do that but as one of the older generation we don't like to waste doctors time in these difficult times. Regards Terry

[reidmar in reply to tjh990]

Hi Terryfully understand the not wishing to waste their time, now depending what medications you were put on after surgery and levels etc I just thought that it seems strange that you never had any follow on with the GP as with most of us on here that seems to be the norm. I too don't like wasting her time as thankfully I'm generally feeling good and will tell my GP that at the time but she nearly insists that I get my regular checks (even in these times) she says its more a preventative thing so as to keep a check on my meds.

Keep well.

Mark

[IanGordon]

My 6 week post op follow-up happened at week 13 and was cursory, which was fine as I was not experiencing any probs. Handed back to my GP, I chased up the scheduled 12monthly echocardiogram, and continue to do so to ensure it happens. GP said it was my cardiologists responsibility, even though I'm in his/her care. However, its a constant rotation of locums, never the same face twice, so my heart, responsibility, is how I view it. So again this year, I chased up my appointment, then moved it away from a Covid hospital to a local, lower risk unit - worth the risk reduction, I feel!Don't wait, and potentially risk your health out of politeness. You'll feel better once you take control of your destiny.

[Kelling]

All of the comments are very helpful and knowledgeable however no one has mentioned rehabilitation. You should have been offered a rehab course held by qualified nurses who exercise you through a plan that usually lasts about four to six weeks. I would get on to the cardiac team at the hospital and ask for this. Once you have been through that regime, you should be referred to a local gymnasium that offers further cardiac associated schemes built to enhance and expand the use of the heart with trained staff. In a nutshell, the body has been repaired and now you need a regime to test the repair (the hospital gym training) and long term maintenance handed back to you in the form of local gym training - the rest is up to you! My bypass was in June 2018 - I still get the odd ache in the scar area of the chest - especially when I do hard work and the bottom of my scar is still numb with a little puffiness or swelling to that ankle. All mere irritations for my good health! My left ear tends to get a bit red but that, i am sure, is more down to my wife that the surgery

[tjh990 in reply to Kelling]

I had 1 week of rehab before covid arrived but did much exercise in the garden without any problems...I got phone calls from them for a couple of weeks and was then signed off. I do walk regularly and have no real concerns, I just wondered what others received after their op. Regards, Terry.

[tjh990]

Hi, Thanks for you reponse, I've not had a yearly check up but times are very different at the moment. Regards, Terry.

[Hidden]

Hi. Following my bypass in Feb 2019 I had several appointments with the GP (face to face initially then phone as Covid lockdown came into force) and had a face to face meeting with a cardiologist about 4 months after my op to see how I was doing. Also just been invited to an annual CHD heart review at my GP.

Sadly, I missed out on any rehab though as it all got pretty much shut down due to Covid so I had to pretty much wing it regarding getting back into shape.

[tjh990 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your reply, I've not seen my GP since my op and have had no reviews...I do feel very good so I'll wait a while and then get in touch with my GP...at the moment I'd rather stay at home than go to the surgery. Regards, Terry.

[sandrann]

Hi there, I had the 6weeks consultation with the consultants colleague at the hospital where my bypass was conducted.I had another appointment at the local hospital to arrange exercises, which I ended up doing at home.

Since then I've had an annual consultation with my GP or the matron at the local surgery.

I've had several medications changed and have seen my GP for that as well.

Keep positive, keep safe and enjoy whatever you can do.

[tjh990 in reply to sandrann]

Thank you very much for your reply.

[Chickenlou]

My fiancé had his bypass at the end of Jan 2020. (We appreciate he was “lucky” to get treated before the worst of Covid happened.)

He saw the cardiac nurse once after surgery and had 1 x telephone call from a consultant which lasted approx 2 mins. All cardiac rehab was cancelled and he hasn’t been able to see anyone since his surgery nearly a year ago.

He has had 1 face to face appointment with his GP in the last year after having heart rhythm issues (he had AFib after the bypass and was on medication for it.)

I know he feels let down by the aftercare he has received - especially as he continues to have issues.

I do think its incredible that people can have such major surgery and little or no aftercare, especially when I had a fairly small non heart related surgery over 2 years ago and am still having “check up” appointments with the consultant every 3 months!

[tjh990 in reply to Chickenlou]

Thank you very much for your reply...luckily I have hade no issues to worry about so at the moment I'm just staying safe at home.

[Trog1]

Due to a previously undiagnosed genetic condition I had an emergency triple bypass back in May 2019 and afterwards was told by my surgeon I am now “mended” and given advice on losing some weight and making sure I exercise regularly (which during lockdown is take a regular 2 to 4 mile brisk walk and 20 minute Mr Motivator session) etc. I am now also on lifelong medication for my disorder, regulatory heart maintenance and AF (from which I now suffer). After the op I had a six week check up at the cardiac unit and was informed that everything was going well and I would be now under the care of my GP who would contact them if he needed to. Apart from occasional scar soreness, some anxiety due to shock at the time and the AF I feel okay except that I have a very low resting heart rate (normally between 41 to 45 bpm) but my GP, who has been good throughout, feels that is due to medication and isn’t worried.

Hope this helps and wish you well.

[tjh990 in reply to Trog1]

Thank you very much for your reply, I've seen nobody since my 6 week check up except 1 week of rehab before covid but I have had no problems apart from the lower part of my chest scar being still a littel tender so just staying safe. Regards, Terry