Hi all,
I have now had my bypass op and thought I was doing well until my wound became infected causing high temperatures just as I got home.
But two lots of antibiotics later and the recovery process begins.
I am now experiencing far more breathlessness now than ever before, is this usual please?
Hi and welcome. Im now 10 weeks post quad bypass and it was hot today so I felt short of breath again it comes and goes now, I went on a treadmill a couple of weeks ago and couldn’t breath properly after 15 mins.It super important to do your breathing exercises you lungs will have shrunk during surgery you need to expand them back to full capacity also your heart has had a massive trauma it all takes time and lots of it, I didn’t realise what it would be like but now I do and not expecting to much in the first 6 months but after saying that after 10 weeks I feel so much better.
You may very well find your mental state will change if it does please make sure you seek help.
There are loads of great people on here who will help you all the way, good luck with your recovery.
Obviously if your breathing starts to get really bad or you get concerned call 999.
Thanks
Thank you for your advice, I do find the exersizes help, think I should be doing more often so I will.Yes, wasn't warned of this to be honest, it's only forums like this that tell the whole story otherwise recovery process, so invaluable advice.
Hello 
I am sorry to hear your wound got infected but this is something that can happen even though after such a big ope we could do without it but I am pleased that it is better now
When we have a Bypass op you no doubt know they deflate our lungs and we need to do breathing exercises to strengthen them again this can take a while and leave us feeling breathless and I know I felt this way and started to wonder has this worked !
But slowly if you keep up the breathing exercises it should improve
If you are in any doubt you hopefully have contact numbers for the Rehab Nurses of the Hospital you were in , give them a ring and they will be able to advise you and of course when it is time if you can go to the Rehab classes they do that will help to
Like already has been said though if things get worse call 999 you will not be a nuisance but they will check you over
Let us know how you get on x
Yes, I have wondered if it has worked, I never experienced any angina pains or breathlessness before op as meds seem to settle all that, so I had no real heart symptoms before op, now I feel terrible at present, like I am 90 years old not 60!I am walking each day too but very slowly.
I used to walk the dog for an hour but no idea when that will happen again.
My wound I'd slowly looking better, but sleep still a problem as uncomfortable 4 weeks on.
I guess I need to be patient. Told the op was a success but dont feel like that right now.
Hello
Was it about 4 weeks ago you had your op because that is very early days and it does take time
The sleeping many of us that have Bypass ios find this can go on for quite a while that is quite normal
The breathing and pains I would get my Doctor to at least check me over to listen to your chest I am not saying this is what is happening as of course I am not a Doctor but sometimes we can get a bit of fluid after around the lungs I am not saying you have that but if the Doctor could listen to your chest they can make sure it is all clear
The pains you feel you are getting you don't feel that is to do with the fact you have been cut open and it is the healing as that can go on a while I remember my surgeon saying I would get some weird and wonderful pains and sensations for a while
Yes we have to be patient and it can take some doing but if in doubt then I would ask to be checked over
Let us know how you get on x
I am just over 4 weeks post op from triple bypass. I find generally I am feeling better and stronger but there are still days where it does feels two steps forward one step back.
Some days I am able to walk further, breathe better. Others I feel that I cannot do as much. Yesterday myself I felt more breathless and tired than usual. But like other have said we have been through major trama and our bodies will take time.
Sleep can still be an issue, but I'm slowly more allowing myself to sleep on my side of comfortable. With getting more sleep I often feel better the next day.
Eating is slowing getting better, I am still eaten more little and often than big meals as I find I feel full quickly. I've lost nearly two stone in weight.
My biggest side effect have been head rushes when standing. I am still getting used to getting up slowly but still getting them hopefully they'll get better over time.
Also my chest still feels right where the bone is healing. Hopefully the tight/pressure feeling will continue to get better over time too.
Hi Carla, it’s very early days for you and great that you are starting to feel better. I had my bypass 5yrs ago. I kept thinking I should of felt better than I did but was reminded by the cardio team that having a bypass is like your body being hit by a bus. Maybe, listen to your body, if you feel weak, breathless or tired then rest. Your body can take a long time to heal, we all respond differently. The not sleeping properly is normal as we have been put back together and you might get numbness or tingling sensations as the bones and nerves take time to heal.
Give yourself a big smile, you deserve it and remember, no lifting anything of weight, not even the kettle.
You now have other fantastic Hearties on here now for any support you may need.
Jane
Carl not Carla😂
Hi Great to hear you are now doing well. During the op your lungs deflate and it takes time to fully inflate them again. Everything is pushed out of the way so that the surgical team can get to your heart. Its really important to do any/all of the exercises you were recommended in the hospital. One member here calls this 'huffing and puffing'. Well, remember to practise huffing and puffing several times a day. I ordered a little spirometer from Amazon - three plastic tubes in which there are 3 coloured balls - a stand and a small breathing tube that you need to inhale through to get the balls pulled up to the top of the plastic tubes. Best description I can give. It didn' cost more than a few pounds - but was so worth its weight in gold. It took several weeks to get all three balls to the top of the tubes - and I still have a 'go' even today - not a bad thing to fully inflate the lungs from time to time, we all tend to breathe from our upper chest rather than our diaphragm anyway!
The rest is a matter of time. Graduated exercise and rest - lots of good food and no, absolutely, no lifting.
I hope you have been referred to the cardiac rehab team. If not ask your GP to do so and contact them. It made a huge difference the first time I had surgery, but not so good the second time. Cardiac rehab is a bit of a postcode lottery and even then, from my experience, can change from year to year in the same area. Ideally the exercise programme is sooooo helpful and the chatting with fellow 'hearties' invaluable. Fingers crossed.
I hope that your recovery continues without further mishap - and we are always here if you want to pop in and tell us how you are getting on. Good progress stories are always wonderful to read.
Thank you so much for your advice and help....invaluable indeed xI have had no luck with rehab, you are right with the postcode lottery. I am on a list. But I will look into a Spirometer definitely.
To be honest, after the op 4 weeks ago, I have been generally had very little help from the medical team. No support there at all.
Relied on Google for I fo really.
So thank you again. X
You're welcome.....but it does feel like you've stepped off a cliff and into an abyss after OHS. Once you leave the safety of the hospital....well, you really are on your own. It can feel quite frightening and lonely at times. You should have a telephone contact number for the cardiac team.....call them! Ask any of the questions you have (believe me, I had loads)....or try and see your GP/practice nurse . Alternatively, call one of the BHF nurses - there is a telephone number on the website. I have spoken to them several times and they are so kind and know so much. You could always pop back here and talk to us - but we are not medically trained, we have what is now called 'lived experience' and can talk from our own experiences. We are a friendly bunch with a sense of humour (mostly)......Keep us posted!
Frances x
After my quad bypass It took 5 weeks before I started to feel well enough to come off the paracetemol and another 2 weeks for the first attempt at driving. i would say recovery was quite swift between 5 and 10 weeks but has now slowed down considerably, not helped by heat and humidity.
I still get breathless, with some days better than others. The consultant says it will be 4 to 6 months before i will feel normal and if you try to do too much no doubt you will have a setback.
I cannot believe you were driving so quickly. I cannot imagine driving until this tight /pressure feeling is still in my sternum!
Gives me hope for my recovery.
Carig
We are all different. I was told that we could start driving again at 6 weeks
After 5 weeks I was thinking they must be joking, but at 7 weeks I wanted to give it a go. I deliberately chose an easy route a short distance to somewhere flat and easy to park. I didn't want to have to reverse into a parking space or turn at lots of junctions.
I used a small cushion to protect myself. After that first drive I waited another week for my next drive. I have found that my very thick Gilet provides good protection and stops the seat belt chafing.
Carig
I should have added that I still don't find driving comfortable. I drove the couple of miles to the harbour last night and probably won't feel like driving again for another 3 or 4 days if I can help it.
It wasn't "normal" for myself. But don't sit on something like that worrying about it, get it checked out asap, you are in early days post op so don't wait for conflicting views on here as we all heal differently
Hi Buddybeamer, how long since you had your op?
Jane
Hi,Almost 4 weeks.
Helen
Helen, don’t rush yourself or your body as it is very early days for you.
I had my bypass 5yrs ago. I also had an infection at the base of my sternum wound and it took 3-4 weeks to clear. I kept thinking I should of felt better than I did but was reminded by the cardio team that having a bypass is like your body being hit by a bus. Just listen to your body, if you feel weak, breathless or tired then rest.
Little by little each day as your body can take a long time to heal, we all respond differently. Trying to find a comfy position to sleep is awful as you will feel uncomfortable. The not sleeping properly is normal as we have been put back together and you might get numbness or tingling sensations as the bones and nerves take time to heal. Try and get some sleep, take your pain relief. Did the hospital give you your breathing exercises to do? I use to hold a pillow against my chest and cough to help inflate my lungs, just like straight after the surgery. Remember gently does it as you are only 4 weeks post op.
Give yourself a big smile, you deserve it and remember, no lifting anything of weight, not even the kettle.
You now have other fantastic Hearties on here for any support you may need.
Jane x
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