I had a heart bypass back in October and since my scar has healed I tend to find either side of it goes numb to the touch around the chest area, is this normal?
Also, I have had absolutely no after care service from either hospital or my GP since my check up 6 weeks after the op, I was told there would be contact regarding physical rehab and such, has anybody else encountered this over the past year I assume it’s because of how busy the whole NHS is.
Hello 
Yes it is common to have the numbness
Imagine you have been cut open and all those nerves get affected takes time to settle down
I am 6 months post op and still get it
Your follow up has not been great really compared to some
I would phone the Hospital and ask if you have a Rehab Nurse you should have as well as maybe enquiring about if they are doing Rehab classes
You might have just been overlooked so give them a call you have nothing to lose and hopefully something to gain x
The numbness is absolutely normal, it took years for me to get the feeling back, I had my bypass in 2017. It also took me months to touch the scar area but used bio oil to help with the healing, I wouldn't rub it in but poured it over (Silly looking back on it)As for rehab, I think this is a matter of where you live, I had a couple of stents fitted in October last year but was lucky enough to have a call a few weeks after discharge from the cardiac nurse and was scheduled to start rehab in January but it was deferred due to Omicron but I started last Wednesday. I know how lucky I am that the rehab has started again in my area not everywhere is the same.
Hi - I’ll be 3 years in April post bypass- I still have numbness- sometimes tingly feelings around scar - just assume it’s my reminder!!!
Yes very normal had my cabgx4 back in June and still have numbness but less so on my left side
Dear fieldy007
Seems that its normal, same here for numbness and like you am still awaiting the call for re-hab.
I’m a month ahead of you with the bypass done in September.
Take care, our turn will come, just keep moving until then.
I had an operation back in 1989 and it took years and years for the numbness on the skin to go away. It's surface nerves that take a long time to heal. As for rehab, chase it up. Either get your GP to find out what's going on or ring the hospital yourself. I've been "lost" twice recently.
Cabgx4 in July last year, and I still have some numbness around the scar.I look on the bright side though.
I would rather it be numb than painful.
Bio oil and time seems to be the way,at least that's what I have been told by Harry,he is a man who takes the same route as a walk to me on Tuesday mornings.
His cabgx2 was in 2003, and he is my personal hero, 74 next birthday and walks 5 miles a day 6 days a week.
Hi fieldy007I am 10 weeks post op, thoracotomy for mitral valve repair. Right side of chest was completely numb for about 6 or 7 weeks, then started tingling. Was like prodding a lump of steak. Now, right hand side around the entry scar is very painful and sore virtually all the time, front of chest still fairly numb.
I use Aldi aloe Vera body lotion on the side of my chest and along the top of the arm, helps a bit.
I am on the cardiac rehab program, but they keep cancelling due to staff shortages/COVID. Had 1 session, full on aerobic workout.
Cardiac nurse told me it would probably take 6 months or more to heal; understandable when you consider what they had to cut through, and now all the nerve endings need to knit together.
So, yes, it seems to be normal.
All the best 😀👍
Hi,I had bypass last October & I still have pain, numbness & tingling sensation. As others said I think it’s the nerve endings & scar tissue. I’m a fit 54 year old female & it’s really frustrating but it’s a positive sign that it’s still healing. Take care of yourself😁
My husband had a bypass in feb. No cardiac rehab so far. They said they are overwhelmed by work and thst the earliest they see is in Oct.With regards to afterop care, call the cardiologist's secretary. Ask him/her about it. It may be that you healed really well after 6 weeks and there was no further complications. So they discharged you. Which is good news right.
My husband does have numbness and we are currently monitoring a strange feeling that he is having. The numbness I hear is normal (many grkm our group say the same). Dont take my word for it though. Many have had similar experiences.
you can ask your gp or call 111 and ask them. This is just for your peace of mind.
Most of all, do not stress. It is easy for me to say,I know. But I stress about every little thing that happens to my husband now. But I am trying not to.
Shaivi
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