Triple heart bypass/artery removed from groin.

[Aries1969]

Not sure when as ive had the copy that cardio have sent to Blackpool victoria to contact me regarding pre-op meeting.As each day passes i,m getting more anxious and questioning myself..My mind is everywhere. Seen all the related posts but my biggest worry is cost. My partner is sole provider as i have tried to apply for financial help and told i dont qualify yet when i get discharged i worry how long partner can help as his wage keeps the roof over our head. Also the costs like do i need to buy a bed for downstairs as stairs very steep..also toilet i have looked at risers yet this is going to add more financial burden on my partner who is doing everything.Obviously i,m going to be heavily stitched chest and groin..Times like this where we need a shoulder and someone to hold our hand as i,m worried which is not good for my health..We dont ask for these health issues yet feel isolated..I have seen people get carers yet is it done automatic by the hospital.If anyone can help.I would be so grateful..What items do i need in place at home before the big op.thank you

[Hidden]

Hello

I know it is easier said than done but somehow you will manage finically , cut backs maybe needed but you will do it

I am not sure but did you contact the CAB about your finical worries I think the problem is till you are struggling when you have had your op they can give you advice which then you will be prepared in that way but you cannot put anything into place till then

I had a triple Bypass never had a special bed I got upstairs slowly I admit one stair at a time but still got to the bedroom

Used the toilet ok again everything in slow motion a little assistance maybe but rare

So I do not foresee you need any of these things your mind seems to be worrying over and if you do but again I believe you have to be in the Hospital but there are services that will loan them some others may know how to contact these

The only one thing I did find useful which I would have struggled without was a bath stool I sat on while I showered even though I did not use it long and I think I paid 20 pounds that was worth it but again you can loan these from services that loan equipment

Tr and stay in the here and now for today you are ok as and if when things are needed you will get through it just concentrate on your health because above all that is the most important thing x

[Aries1969 in reply to Hidden]

thank you.forever a worrier..but its what makes us human.

[Hidden in reply to Aries1969]

Hello

I know exactly how you feel and from one worrier to another I will tell you when yo panic but no need to now

gilreid1 has a point I know you were told you would have a vein from the groin taken but I would wait and see you might find you don't

Keep us updated x

[gilreid1]

not sure where you have been given advice ? Unless it’s a different procedure than the one I had done the vien is taken from the leg. And is a relative narrow scar but in my case long and does not restrict your movements (well mine did not ) you will be fine with stairs but it will take longer than normal. Can you maybe stay in bedroom for a few days.

Good luck

[Aries1969 in reply to gilreid1]

I was told by ward sister when had my review and pre op on stent that was put in..she said a artery will be removed from the groin..not not sure..thank you anyway as i,m a worrier.

[gilreid1 in reply to Aries1969]

your stent would have been inserted thru the groin (mines was the wrist). Maybe that’s the confusion. For a bypass they harvest a vien to use as arteries normally from your leg or arm. To put your mind at rest speak with the BHF nurses on this forum.

[Carlg]

I can only talk from my experience of a bypass.

I had triple and they used arteries from my leg, arm and chest. I had never heard of them taking from the groin. But I know sometimes fofor different procedures they enter through the groin.

I was also surprised at how quick you were encouraged to be up and about the ward. By the end of the first day I had been up and walking to the toilet etc.

Each day I had a physio visit who gave breathing exercises and took me for a walk. They told me what to do and made sure before I went home i could walk up and down stairs . Admittedly this was one step at a time and sometimes with a little break half way up.

Sleeping was the most difficult thing. I didn't get a bed from home. I found either napping on a chair with the footstool or using a few extra pillows in bed did me jist fine. After 4 to 6 weeks i was back to sleeping like normal

Driving is not allowed for 4 week but I dododnt drive again until past the 2 month mark.

I did not need anything to help me for the toilet nor did I need a carer. My partner stepped up and for a couple weeks cooked, clean and kept the house in order. We did have visits from in laws and friends who helped do little things I needed at the time.

Financially recovery did not cost any more money so of you could cope bedore you should find by cutting back youll be ok. Also youll find socially you wont do as much. Those takeaways, visits to cafes and gym will stop for a few weeks. So budgeting helps and freezing memberships to things helped save the pennies.

One thing to invest in just after you leave hospital is the nhs annual prescription. Its around £110 but that then covers all your prescriptions for a year. And youll be on about 4 or 5 different meds long term so this pays for itself in a couple of months.

A bypass is a serious and worrying thing. I thought life was going to change drastically forever but it didnt.

I am nearing the 3 month mark and life is getting more back to normal. I am about to start a phase return to work and exercise is increasing. Im driving and back to doing all the house work again! Just need to continue letting the sternum strenghten.

Continue to use this forum it was great during my early weeks to get reassurance and realise I was not just the only one going through thits

[Aries1969 in reply to Carlg]

lovely.encouraging words..i want it yet the waiting you think negative..thank you..

[Carlg in reply to Aries1969]

I understand your feelings. I had the exact same thoughts prior to my operation.

[Kristin1812 Heart Star in reply to Carlg]

What a great post, which should help many here prepare themselves well. Informative and very real.

[Donny64 in reply to Carlg]

What an amazing reply Carlg, it mirror images my experience and you couldn't have described it better. I think post op, the physio and cardio rehab worked the best for me. I was up and running and consider myself lucky, in no time. Just take things easy and don't try and run before you can walk. Good kuck

[Hidden]

Whilst it would be wrong to say OHS is anything less than a serious operation - Bypasses seem to be their equivalent of ‘routine surgery’.

I watched people go down for surgery at 08:30 in the morning, and return at 8pm the same evening, only to have some one trying to get hem to sit up right in a chair for half an hour or so.

The biggest difference you have to make allowances for are:

How easily you can become fatigued, how little you can lift up (or allowed to lift up), drive a car, go back to work and building up your ability to walk 1 lamp post at a time.

It is slow going, but follow the rules and advice and life can return to what it was pre heart failure.

I wish you luck with your op - and please, do not worry yourself in to a grave - nothings 100%, but they’re not far off 👍

[Aries1969 in reply to Hidden]

thank you

[Bigscar in reply to Aries1969]

I put my story on here a couple of weeks ago, I think taking from the groin is the start of the scar. Mine runs from there down to knee.My op was at its infancy in 1977 at age 31.I was very fit at that time and only had slight angina suffice to say I am now 76 play walking football and can ride my bikes (5) up quite steep hills. My op was cancelled first time my rareish blood was used for a lady in a road accident.Going in first time let me see how efficient the process was so I was not so scared second time.

Let’s face it that’s a while ago and things have moved on to a more efficient process I am sure. Have your op you need it obviously, have a word with citizens advice see if they can help. Don’t the hospitals have an Almoner, no just checked it out now defunct, but ask and see if there is some other officials there with a similar function.

[Hidden in reply to Aries1969]

Just seen your comment aout stitches - it's been 2 years since my op, and I have to say, my chest scar has mostly disappearred - not that it was very noticable in the first place.

My leg scar goes from my left ankle to half way up my left thigh - and that's more prominent. I find it amusing when people notice it and ask if it was a car or motorbike incident, and my reply is "no - heart surgery"😆 Better to look on the bright side 👍

[Moomintroll21]

hey I had a double by pass and was home after 4 days had vine from inside chest wall and left arm

I live in a cottage with steep stairs and was ok as long as took slow and also didn’t need anything for the toilet

You just have to go at your own pace if you want to get to then do so if you want to stay in bed then do so but recommend you do get up and walk about slowly as will aid recovery and goood for the lungs to expand - I showered not bathed and I sat upright in bed as was most comfortable my arm where the vein was taken was numb and still is 18 months later my chexk healed lovely and life is good. Have a positive mindset it really helps x good luck and keep us posted

[devonian186]

The test for leaving hospital was to climb a flight of 15 stairs, as slowly as you wanted with no significant adverse effect. If you can do that then unless the stairs are very steep you will probably be ok.

I think the key factor is whether you have a loo close to the bedroom without having to ascend or descend stairs. You will be very restless and sleeping patterns will likely be all over the place so i would certainty recommend if possible, to sleep in a separate bedroom and have a radio, book, drink or whatever close to hand so you can access it at any time.

I had a week or so when I woke at 4AM for an hour or so and had to get up before going back to bed. Your partner will need their sleep to support the both of you so sleeping arrangements need to suit you both. I found that I needed 4 weeks by myself before I felt able to sleep together again.

[devonian186 in reply to devonian186]

One other thing, it sounds as if you definitely need the operation so take it as the alternative does not bear thinking about. It is quite 'routine' these days although obviously still major. I found getting comfortable altered during the day, so you might need to commandeer a variety of chairs and find some are better on some days than others. With winter coming up my favourite place of the car will probably not be possible, but the seats are comfortable, can be adjusted and you can have the radio on and it gives a change of scenery!

[Hylda2]

the Red Cross will help you buy hiring you anything you need and if you can’t afford that they will give you assistance also

[Poppy-Rose]

I am shielding at the moment, going in for bypass op on Wednesday this week. ( if they don't cancel again)

I was told by cardiac nurse, all stitches would be internal, skin would be glued, so no stitches to be removed later. They will make sure you can manage stairs before sent home.

Hopefully you will hear from cardiac rehab nurse and they will go through your worries too.

Obviously I am very anxious about the whole thing, but this site is brilliant.

Stay positive ❤