Bypass needed

[Paul244]

After 9 years of having my heart attack and two stents fitted I’ve found out through chest pains and a small heart attack I’ve got to have a bypass as my stents have scar tissue and have narrowed. Anyone on here had a bypass and what was it like as I’m quite apprehensive

[Puffin1963]

Hi - yes I recently had a bypass for one blocked artery, I can honestly say it hasn't been as scary as perhaps I thought it was going to be - the most scary time I found was when I was informed how serious it was and then being told I had to wait a long time , but I didn't have to wait long as a fantastic surgeon gave me a 24 hour cancellation - no time to think. The hospital / staff were amazing, very reassuring , answered all my questions as I'm the kind of person who wants to know everything ! The op itself was ok obviously as you know nothing about it, just wake up in intensive care which is normal. I really don't remember much about the first 48 hours post op, I had to stay in ICU as i couldn't stop vomitting ...I didn't have pain, honestly ! it's well managed...once on the ward I was comfortable and desperate to get home - again I haven't really had pain, more discomfort, muscles in the back, shoulders, neck aching, but you're given relaxation exercises which help. I needed 24 hour help at home for the first week and then someone came round each morning for the next week, and I still have help with a bit of housework and shopping. It is hard work, you can good and bad days , but I would never have imagined it would be as "good" as my experience has been - I take a day at a time and do whatever my body needs me to do - sleep in the day in bed for a while if I've not had a good night because i can't get comfortable. Try not to overthink it, take a day at a time, get all the help you can - best wishes

[Paul244 in reply to Puffin1963]

Thanks for replying and thankyou for reassuring me glad you’re feeling well

[Max1019 in reply to Puffin1963]

To pretend it’s a walk in the park would be ridiculous., but knowing that it’s the next step forward to your safety and wellbeing is what’s important. I found to live just for the next ten minutes trusting that the team around you are going to do their absolute best for you was the way through for me. We are all different in how we cope emotionally, physically and spiritually and we have different support systems in place.

Grab all the support you can and don’t be afraid to express your needs and don’t be too hard on yourself. Above all listen to your body and take all the rest you need.

[Puffin1963]

Hi Paul - I’m simply sharing my own experience , I don’t suggest it’s easy , but certainly for me wasn’t as “bad” as I anticipated .