Hi, I’ve recently been diagnosed as needing a triple bypass, came as a total shock, now just waiting for op to take place, feel a little at a loss at the moment as to what I can or can’t do or be doing? Would be great full to hear of anyone who has gone through similar - also trying to find a diet plan to help loose a few pounds before op if time allows - I’m one who needs a planned structure to work to or it won’t happen
Thanks for any help
Hi,
It all depends on your unique circumstances what you can or can’t do pre-op, post op you will be provided lots of information, advice and support on precisely what you can and can’t or shouldn’t. Post-op you will feel constantly exhausted and also limited in your range of upper body movement which is normal and will take time. Being active and doing little walks and building up each day will do wonders for your recovery and new grafts. Feel free to ask any questions.
Good luck.
Thank you, it’s good to know there are people around who can help and understand
Hello Golfswinger. at 77 I had a triple bypass.Nov 2019. Am now back playing tennis twice a week and feeling good. Not sure if you should play golf before your bypass depends on your doctor. It’s a good idea to start adopting a healthy way of eating for life: low fat lots of vegetables and fruit etc. After a while it becomes a way of life. I never like that word “diet” because it sounds so temporary.
Thank you, I’m 53 and really want to get back to playing golf if poss
Hi Golfswinger,
My circs were similar to you, although I had been being treated for angina while undergoing tests. Do you have a GTN spray? If you do, my opinion is to carry on as normal before the op, maybe even do more. You need to be as fit as possible before the op, this will help the recovery.
After the op, do what you can, golf isn't allowed for a long while due the the sternum cut which takes a long time to heal, you will feel tired and breathless afterwards but keep going. QuadroVEINia who also replied has done the couch to 5k since his op, so it can be done. Eat less and eat healthy is the best advice on the food front. Good luck!
Thanks will speak to doc about GTN spray as I do get chest pains and out of breath regular now
Hi Golfswinger
I am in much the same position - need a multiple bypass op, hopefully sometime in June or July. While waiting and preparing, what others have said is true. You need to be as fit as you can, in line with what your body will allow. I can walk, but not climb hills - I can do most things but not lift heavy weights/boxes etc I have a GTN spray which I need to use if I get severely out of breath, or have chest pains. The instructions with the spray are to try it twice, and if the pains don't go away then call 999. Otherwise all of you needs to be fit, including your heart. So it's a balance, depending on your body and what it can tolerate. Yes, I'm frightened about what will be possible after the op, but I guess we will be showered with information and exercises and how to recover.
Hello
With regard to weight loss there really is only one way to lose weight and that's to eat less. Personally I find the easiest way is to count the Calories.
A small slice of bread is around 60 calories and a large slice around 110 so for breakfast it's one small slice of Toast and a poached egg around 140 cals rather than what it used to be !! which was 2 large slices and a Fried Egg 320 cals 350 with buttered bread . I know it sounds a pain but if you don't count what you eat you don't know what your taking in !!
This is my personal way of control and it works for Me.
I had a bypass in 2015 and stents in 2018 so know what it's like !!!!
Vaccinated Hands Face Space to stay safe for a few days yet !!!!
Thanks for reply, had first vacation waiting for second - will give the counting a go
Hi,I had bypass x4 last year and that came quite unexpected. I was given GTN spray and this helped for a couple of weeks. I tried to keep walking every day and stick to 3 meals a day with lots of fruit and veg. You can find some nice recipes on this website, although bbcgoodfood has plenty of choice as well. Unfortunately, my arteriosclerosis advanced so quickly that within 3 weeks of my diagnosis I went into hospital to be monitored until op. My advice is when the GTN does not work and you feel not up to anything get yourself to A&E. At least there they can monitor you even if it is ‘just’ anxiety related.
Keep posting; there are a lot of knowledgeable people on this site, but mainly it will help sharing your experience with others who went through the same thing.
J.
Thanks for tips - yes strange how things are starting to seem worse at a quicker rate no GT Spary but will be speaking to Doc today about one
Good morning. My experience was similar to yours. I was (I thought) reasonably fit and healthy and I ate sensible stuff. Then last July 2020 I suddenly started to get chest pains with even a small amount of easy walking on the flat; angina diagnosed; angiogram revealed I needed a triple bypass and was told I needed it "pretty quickly". They managed to fit my op in last October during lockdown #2 and I'm now 6 months into recovery. "Total shock" is a good description of how I felt and still feel. I also feel cheated because I had been looking after myself reasonably well (or so I thought) - so how come it happened to me? I think the mental side of these things is not talked about too much but it certainly hit me hard. Now that the op is over and recovery is going well, I'm feeling much more positive - and I'm sure you will too when you get to this stage. My angina limited what I could do physically before the operation, but eating healthy things and losing a bit of weight is definitely good preparation.
Hi Thanks for reply , yes you’re so right, very very similar circumstances, don’t get me wrong I could do with losing a few pounds but been in Gym last two years doing weights and thought was reasonably fit, yes I’ve struggled to get my head around this (and wife to) I think were at the stage now just want it done (surgeon says he wants it done by end of May) rollercoaster of emotions which I’m sure everyone must go through but always strange when it’s yourselfThanks for reply hope your doing ok now
It is strange when you think your well only to be told you need an urgent Heart Operation. I got a shock when the Cardiologist said "I will put you to the Surgeon with the shortest list "
I think I was slotted in 3/4 weeks later !!!
it's been 5 years now and I still get a surprise when I look in the bathroom cabinet mirror, and see this slightly wonky scar running from my neck to the bottom of my sternum, but that said it all went pretty well, and there is no alternative just yet.
I wish I had a £ for all the people I have heard say " But I was Fit went to the Gym 3 X a Week " Fit does not necessary correspond to Healthy, but it can help with recovery !!
with some luck the op will reduce your handicap when you get back to playing mmmmm
Vaccinated hands Face to Stay Safe
My uncle had 3 of these procedures, he lived till 83 his wife who was fit but fat died before he did. So do not worry, the procedures for heart problems are much more modern now.
Hi there, sorry to hear of your diagnosis. I was floored last year when I was told I had had a silent heart attack and needed bypass. Like many who have responded I thought I was fit and healthy, running 3 times a week and a good diet. Shows how wrong I was! I agree that you need to keep moving, the healthier you are before the op the better. I spoke to the BHF nurses and my GP before the op and that really helped- it’s all new to us, but they know what they are talking about. Now 7 months post op, almost back to normal. Am running again and out in garden. Even played 6 holes of golf last week and felt good.
Each day of recovery is a step forward. Keep well.
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