How long is the recovery after a quadruple bypass

[BrianRob]

Been 5 weeks since operation, getting frustrated with recovery. Chest wound still soure. When can I expect this to go away.

[Blackcatsooty]

Good morning BrianRob

About 12 weeks is typical.

I got gout which extended my recovery to 14 weeks.

It is important to do the exercises every day. Especially the gentle daily walk.

What I like is that recovery is noticeable. Every day is better than yesterday.

Good luck

[Heather1957 in reply to Blackcatsooty]

Mine wasn't that straightforward, some days I was great, others I couldn't get out of my chair as I was in a lot of pain, I got there in the end but all our journeys are different.

I would always suggest keeping a diary to look back on the process and remind yourself how far you have come.

[Cee-Cee1 in reply to Heather1957]

I think your diary suggestion is brilliant Heather. I'm a 62 year-old female and had a triple bypass mid February this year after a heart attack in January, due to CAD. I know painkillers and other drugs are totally necessary at times but throughout my life I've never been keen on taking painkillers at all - I have diverticular disease and they all seem to upset my stomach. I kept a little jotter handy when I got home (5 days after the op) to keep a note each day of what time I was taking the painkillers (standard strength paracetamol tablets) as I wanted to be sure not to take too many. I only took them when I actually NEEDED them and I found it mentally very beneficial to notice how quickly I was able to cut them down which, in turn, really helped to make me feel very positive about recovery. As you say, it's good to remind yourself how far you've come in such a short space of time and everybody's recovery is different. It may seem like forever but it's amazing to note how quickly our bodies can heal after such a big operation especially when you think back to how awful you might have felt in the first few days after getting home!

[gilreid1]

Around 12 to 16 weeks is normal as long as you follow advice given by you cardio team. Very important not to overdo anything. If you are offered cardio rehab I recommend you go. Slowly slowly.

[Chappychap]

When I was discharged I was told many patients are able to return to non physical work after eight weeks, and ten to twelve weeks for a more physical job. That pretty much fitted with my experience.

However, there are plenty of people who say a full recovery (ie at least as good as before the operation) takes up to a year. And given the massive amount of physical trauma involved in open heart surgery it's no surprise if aches and twinges remain for a long, long time!

The biggest thing you can do to speed your recovery along is to be meticulous about completing your breathing/coughing exercises several times every day, and to go for steadily increasing walks every day. The shoulder roll exercises are also important. Your lungs collapse during surgery, and stay collapsed throughout the operation. Fully reflating them is a long job and these exercises are critical for getting that done. How well your lungs reflate, to a very large extent determines how you believe your recovery is progressing.

Good luck!

[Heather1957 in reply to Chappychap]

I had completely forgotten about the shoulder rolls!

[Max1019]

You’ve had some very good advice already from the replies so far, what you have to remember is that your body has been hit with a bus, everything feels out of control and in many ways it is, physically and mentally.

Healing takes time and we all recover at different rates.

Your mental health is also majorly affected hence the frustration .

You have to learn to read your body and looking after it is your first priority rather than what you can’t do anymore at this time. Some days I could only focus on what I could do for the next ten minutes, take a rest and then reassess.

Get to all the cardio rehab support sessions you can for moral support yet alone the physical and don’t be afraid to ask questions if you have niggles.

My own op was 21/2 years ago, and I missed some support owing to lock down but now getting more support and am moving forward.

Keep going and stay well, you can choose to be an overcomer!

[SRDS]

Hello BrianRobIt does take 12 weeks and a bit. My husband did a quadruple bypass and some other thing in his neck artery. He is on 14 weeks now and he still is not completely healed. But the key is to recognise that with each week passing you will get better. Do your daily gentle walking ad recommended. Give your body time to heal. Your body knows.

I hope that the pain goes away soon.

Loads of love from

Dhi and Shaivi

[MountainGoat52]

Hi BrianRob,

I had my check up at 13 weeks post op when I had an ECG, X-ray and a consultation with the surgeon. I too was keen to get back to what I love doing which is hill walking, but I couldn't lift and carry a backpack until my sternum had healed. I also had to get permission from my GP to drive. All quite frustrating at the time, but the recovery period cannot be bypassed. I actually know someone that did start doing things too early and it put him back in hospital needing further surgery. Patience is required!

Gerald

P.S. I was walking up to 10 miles at around 8 weeks post op, no backpack of course, but still a help with getting the frustration out of my system.

[shopman]

Hello BrianRob

This certainly brought back some memories for me. Have to be honest and say I had a few issues and my recovery time took well over a year. The good news is even better as that was over 24years ago and I am still here. Best advice is don't rush it, it takes as long as it takes but do listen to those around you and don't be frightened to ask for help if you need it.

[invictaAlec]

Hi BrianRob,

There is no standard answer to your question. Every one of us who have had this surgery will have a different story to tell about their recovery.

You talk about a sore chest wound. I've read posts from some people who were still having this problem a year later! In my case I never had a sore chest at all! Nope, mine was as numb as hell. Never sore. The numbness although now only very slight and in a small area has never really gone away and next month I'll be four years post surgery.

Good luck with your recovery but do be patient. There are no prizes for trying to rush things. I told myself I would feel mended in about a year. I wasn't far out.

All the best.

Alec.

[Heather1957]

OM goodness, I had a single bypass and was having pain and discomfort for months.

From memory you are not discharged by the surgeon until at lease week 6.

You have had a major surgery, OHS no less, you need to take it easy, go for short walks if you are able but you are restricted in what you can do, you won't be signed off and able to drive yet.

I remember feeling it was one step forward and 2 steps back and I never had the issue with where they had taken the other artery from as they used the mammary artery for mine.

I was released from hospital after 4 days (they needed my bed) but 5 weeks is still very early days both physically and emotionally, take it easy and let the body heal.

[Cee-Cee1]

It's hard not to feel really frustrated Brian especially once you start to feel a little better but still not really able to start with the 'heavier' type jobs at home like gardening etc. I was advised by the surgeon and cardiac rehab nurse not to lift anything heavier than a half-full kettle for 12 weeks! I'm a 62 year-old female and I'd a triple bypass in February this year after a heart attack in January and now feel much, much better just 14 weeks later - the time really does go in quicker than I realised. When I first came home, 5 days after the op, I even had to keep the bedclothes away from my chest in bed at night as it was just so sore and I couldn't sleep on my side as I usually do and had to wear really baggy t-shirts during the day - that few weeks were awful. This went away gradually, but quite quickly too once my wound properly healed after about 6/7 weeks and it's good to remind myself what it was like when I first came home. I found standing in the shower a little longer than my usual quick 'in & out' helped with the wound pain and healing too. Every best wish for a full and fast recovery.