Date for surgery

[gorillaqueen]

Hi everyone I now have a date for my bypass surgery which is 4th of November. Will be so relieved when it’s over I’m still terrified but positive and trying to be calm. Following the advise given by all you lovely people. Thank you.

[Anon2023]

hi. I haven’t had a bypass but I have had open heart surgery twice. The fear of it is much worse than the reality. I know that you are feeling afraid but surgeons do these procedures day in and day out so you will be in very good hands. I’m wishing you all the best for your surgery and please let me know how it goes. X

[gorillaqueen in reply to Anon2023]

Hi thank you everyone on here are so lovely and the support really helps X.

[Anon2023 in reply to gorillaqueen]

I’m sure there will be lots more people along shortly to wish you luck. There are some very kind and supportive people on this site who have experience of what you are going through. Sometimes it just makes all the difference to know that you are not alone. X

[gorillaqueen in reply to Anon2023]

You are so right massive help. Thank you X.

[Hidden]

Hello

I am glad you have your date and not long to wait either

Of course you feel afraid you are human but when you get these fears try and think of all the positives like a better life , feeling healthier and so on

Take each day at a time and you will soon have had it done and be home recovering

If you need us you know where to come and I hope after you might have time to let is know how you are doing x

[gorillaqueen in reply to Hidden]

Hello thank you for your support, I will keep in touch and let you know how I’m doing. Take care 😀X

[Hidden in reply to gorillaqueen]

x

[Heather1957]

Of course you are stressed it's natural.

Just take control of the things you can control.

Make a list of what you need to take, phones, Kindle chargers, books.

You'll have a catheter initially so I found a nightie more practical than my usual Pj's.

The sooner it's done the sooner you can move onward.

Lots of us have been where you are so you've got lots of support.

[gorillaqueen in reply to Heather1957]

Hi thank you. I had not thought about the catheter situation so thank you for that X

[goldenbay in reply to gorillaqueen]

Just take things as they come, don’t rush. Also think about what bra you wear. I found wired bras tended to rub and dig in at the bottom of my scar. Wear something comfortable or a vest.

[gorillaqueen in reply to goldenbay]

Thank you. Along with all the information the hospital gave me there is some advise about purchasing a post op bra but I feel maybe a vest top would be better X.

[MumaLines in reply to gorillaqueen]

A soft padded, front fastening bra. Maybe the next size up will help support your boobs so there is less strain on your chest. I found the bra extension clips were fab as I could adjust easily to feel more comfortable. xxx

[gorillaqueen in reply to MumaLines]

Hi thanks for this. What’s your thoughts on vest top the ones with added support ?

[MumaLines in reply to gorillaqueen]

I remember the Sister saying the bra has to be worn asap so that the weight of your boobs does not pull down on the chest wound. Maybe you could try some vest top supports on to make sure they are not too tight against your skin. I got soft padded front fastening bras from Asda, size bigger in width. When I put the bra width extensions on it was bliss.

[gorillaqueen in reply to MumaLines]

Thank you very helpful X.

[Heather1957 in reply to goldenbay]

I bought 3 pull over my head bras (I have always been a little on the voluptuous side) but actually found I went back to my underwire bras practically immediately.

Of course look for options but don't spend out to much until you know what you'll be comfortable with.

[gorillaqueen in reply to Heather1957]

Thank you definitely don’t want to waste money X.

[devonian186]

Glad to hear it will be so soon. As I wrote in my previous long post, you will find yourself occupied whilst in hospital, so my suggestion is that you prepare in advance for your homecoming by taking the various tips that myself and others contributed.

[devonian186 in reply to devonian186]

I see I expanded on my comments to you when writing to the wife of someone having a bypass operation. I repeat it below so please excuse the tenses and change 'his' to 'you'!

"Heart surgery of this type is now seen as 'routine' in as much it is carried out many thousands of times with excellent results. It is nowhere near as scary as it sounds. Your husband will be in good care in hospital and I think your time would be best spent in preparing for his stay (suitable clothes, snacks, entertainment) but more especially his return home. Typically, he will be in hospital for 4 days AFTER his surgery and likely to move ward 2 or 3 times as his dependency and risks reduce.

At 54 his recovery should be quicker than mine at 70 but nevertheless, whilst routine, it is still a big operation. He will feel tired, emotional and his routine will need to change with someone preparing his meals, being present with him when he goes for a walk and generally providing support, practical and emotional. I used paracetamol for the first 4 weeks as there will be some pain around the chest area so have these handy. Do be prepared for bursts of tears and anger. That is the operation and the new realties talking and should pass as the pain eases.

I was very restless when I got home and found it much easier to sleep in a separate bed to my wife as I kept different hours and wanted to get up in the night, be restless, turn on the radio etc. Have lots of books ready, (physically light ones and some lightweight in content ones) plus whatever entertainment he likes, tablet, kindle, radio, tv etc. He will likely doze a lot at first but must try to avoid doing too much especially in the first week or two as that will set him back.

Have lots of cushions around, easy access to a toilet and provide a choice of comfortable chairs, as what will be comfortable one day may not be so later. It can get boring, so frequent small snacks, drinks, chance to have a chat are in order as will be leaving him alone when he wants quiet.

The chest area might ache ( I took paracetamol for 4 weeks) and I found a padded gilet to be very useful especially when in a car.) Short trips out when he can manage it to say the garden centre or somewhere different to the home will be welcomed after a time, which gives the chance for short walks and a coffee.

Follow any exercise routines but don't let him do too much otherwise he will pay for it the next day.

Keep a health diary as you will both be able to see the improvements he makes week on week if not day on day

[gorillaqueen in reply to devonian186]

Hi thank you so much for your support and very good advise it really helps X.

[francesw47]

So pleased you have a date, and its not too far off. Waiting really is the worst part. I've had OHS twice and, while its not a walk in the park, its pretty routine these days and you will be in very good hands. Hospitals have a rhythm of their own and once you have been admitted the whole process just sort of sweeps you along. Trust in the medical team, who are super knowledgeable, and you will be back on the ward in no time and on the road to recovery. Once you are home, do exactly as you are asked ie no lifting anything more than half a kettle full of water, no housework, do all the breathing exercises and start your walking regime as quickly as you feel able. Its only human to feel stressed beforehand, but remember this is a cure! Please let us know how you get on.

[gorillaqueen in reply to francesw47]

Thank you all the support and advise on here really helps X.

[Heather1957 in reply to francesw47]

I live alone and I bought a 'one cup', it means you only have to fill it which you can use a little jug for, then put a cup under it and it will just fill the cup, so no need to lift a kettle.

It is funny how it is all coming back to me now!! 😀

[gorillaqueen in reply to Heather1957]

Thank you X.

[road2ruin]

Goood Luck,

Also don't forget; ear plugs, eye mask (no not cucumbers), plenty of snacks (hospital food can be a bit boring and when you need a 'pick me up' they are there).

All the best

[gorillaqueen in reply to road2ruin]

Thank you very good point about the eye mask and ear plugs I had not thought about that. So much to think of X.

[Niffad]

Hi it’s 5 months since my husband had his bypass surgery , we were discussing last night , how glad we are he had the operation . In 5 short months life has become great . Good luck be patient with yourself , and look forward to a much better quality of life xxx

[gorillaqueen in reply to Niffad]

Thank you good to hear your husband is doing well 😀 all the support and advise on here is certainly helping me to remain positive X.

[Patty2486]

Great news Gorillaqueen. It’s understandable you are nervous, but it will be worth it.

Wishing you a speedy recovery. 🥰

[gorillaqueen in reply to Patty2486]

Thank you so pleased I joined this forum everyone is so supportive and helpful X.

[MountainGoat52]

Excellent news... and not long to wait. Really pleased to see that you are remaining positive. In a few weeks time you will be wondering where the time went as you progress with your recovery and look to the future. 😀

With my very best wishes,

Gerald

[gorillaqueen in reply to MountainGoat52]

Thank you everyone on here are so supportive and helpful. It really does help you to remain positive X.

[gorillaqueen in reply to MountainGoat52]

Thank you all the support and lovely comments certainly give you a lift and help you to remain positive 😀

[Dj1962]

like most people I was extremely nervous about the surgery...but strangely on the day of the operation (Christmas eve 2019)i came over surprisingly calm..and decided to just go with the flow....the days after surgery past so quickly i was home before i knew it..All the best..😊

[gorillaqueen in reply to Dj1962]

Thank you. Wow! Christmas Eve of all times. Take care X.

[E16Pat]

that’s great news, all done and all over, I’m still waiting promised before Christmas

Take care be strong

X

[gorillaqueen in reply to E16Pat]

Thank you hope you hear very soon and it goes ahead before Christmas. Take care X.

[Hidden]

Dear gorillaqueen

What fantastic news, now that is one worry out of the way, maybe like me you will be shocked at how poorly others are on the ward are and it will help put your own situation into perspective .

You are an amazing complex living person, its time to allow the experts to fix a problem that has accrued to your body that hopefully will allow you to live a full "new"life for yourself and your loved ones.

It will all seem a bit factory conveyer belt {ish } but believe me that just disguises the marvellous and miraculous operation that is going to be performed on you.

It is only the skill set of the surgeons and staff that give the impression that this is just a routine operation, it is , and has always been, far from that.

Take care and please keep us informed, you have got this and we are here to help.

[gorillaqueen in reply to Hidden]

Thank you everyone on here have been so helpful and supportive. Your all amazing X.

[Swalecliffe88]

Hello again Gorillaqueen. My daughter always teases me about the day she took me to St Thomas’s hospital in London for my by pass surgery the next day. She and my son say I was like a dog going very reluctantly to the vets and if my arms had been long enough to spread across the double width doors from the street into reception then I would have looked like a spread eagle with the breaks on 😂😂they literally had to drag me in and handcuff me to a chair and then sleep in the chair next to my bed to stop me running away. That was nearly 8 years ago. And apart from a very fraught night the night before with a very old naked confused lady in the early hours falling on top of me when I had just managed to drift off. I have never regretted a moment of life since. Waking up to the most lovely, caring nursing staff the next evening. You will feel within just days, so much better and it is not until you have had the pipe work renewed that you realise how ill you were. Good luck for your operation day and come back in a few weeks and tell me I was wrong 🤘👏🫶

[gorillaqueen in reply to Swalecliffe88]

Oh Wow that has certainly given me a lift laughter is definitely one of natures medicines. Not convinced your story is true ?? But whatever you made me laugh so thank you. Take care X.

[Swalecliffe88 in reply to gorillaqueen]

Oh believe me everything apart from them handcuffing me to the chair was absolutely true. St Thomas’s is about 70 miles and an hour and half drive away from where I live and my op was booked as 1st one down at 7 am. By the time they had done all the tests and got me onto a holding ward it was 7pmish. So they let my daughter stay and sleep in the chair by my bed so that she could be there to say bye to me in the morning. And yes a very confused very old stark naked lady got out of bed in early hours and fell on top of me in bed. A startling wake up for me I can tell you. But like you I was scared out my wits, not knowing what to expect and what it would be like after. Yes, I would not be helping you if I said it didn’t hurt at all. It did for the first one or two days but they keep you on very powerful pain killers and being in hospital is not the best times of life. But the few days of discomfort are quickly forgotten when you feel so much better. I couldn’t believe how much better I felt, even in those first few days. Then just let your body heal at its own rate that includes energy levels. Open heart surgery makes it sound so scary, but now days this is an op they do daily. Like I said Good Luck we will all be here for you to help you through all the days of your recovery. So that you can then help the next person who posts how scared they are.

[gorillaqueen in reply to Swalecliffe88]

OMG what an experience. I have been quite down today and you have just made me laugh again so thank you and I most definitely will be here whenever needed X.

[gorillaqueen in reply to Swalecliffe88]

Hi I will be having my surgery at St Thomas also and interested to know what your experience of St Thomas was like. Apart from the naked lady 😂 X.

[Swalecliffe88 in reply to gorillaqueen]

Yes the naked lady was just an added distraction !! and not part of the cardiac team care. Think they put you on some kind of general holding ward just for the night, as they tend to get you in the day before. I can only speak of my experience which was 8 years ago now and of course pre covid which appears to have changed the world we live in in every aspect of our lives and particularly the nhs. But I can only say they were brilliant. The nurses were caring and understanding and supportive. I had them laughing as the moment they supported me in getting up and out of bed on the Friday. I was walking up and down the ward waving to them all the time. So they knew I was exercising. They even said to doctors how they were amazed with my recovery and I feel it was because I pushed myself and didn’t just sit on bed all day reading magazines. You will get tired after doing just a little walk, so rest, then do another bit and just treat your recovery like that. Your body will tell you to rest just listen to it. Until this CA flattened me the other week. I have felt renewed and so in love with life again since having the by pass surgery. My heart before that had been getting weaker and weaker and brought me nearly to my knees. I’ve had to go back more or less to start again with fitness, but I will get there again and so will you. Take care. When is your surgery ? I will think of you that day and send you good thoughts.

[Tez666]

not long, brings it all back, scared , but you will be fixed, I am a year on now, sxar still stings and itches, but I am alive, remember this when its done, good luck babes. Maybe get xmas stuff sorted early, you will be sore to do anythink after for months, but your the lucky one being seen to, remember this when down.

[gorillaqueen in reply to Tez666]

Thank you for your support. Good point about Xmas take care X.

[Heyjude31]

All us hearties will be with you all the way. We look forward to supporting you in your recovery. Take good care, the op itself is not as bad as we fear. I am just over a year since my 4 x bypass and all is well. Judi

[gorillaqueen]

Hi lovely to hear you are doing well. Thank you for your kindness and support X.

[MumaLines]

I know you are petrified and it's not as bad as we think it is. You are going to be ok, you are going to have a fantastic team looking after you who will know how you are feeling. They really are amazing and it's not as bad as you think.

Have you got your Bra's sorted, loose, front fastenings?

[gorillaqueen in reply to MumaLines]

Hi thank you, yes bras sorted ( I hope )

[nilmonisikdar40]

I am so pleased that things will be done and dusted and will realise how better you feel after the procedure. How many branches of the coronary artery will be bye passed. Best wishes.

[gorillaqueen in reply to nilmonisikdar40]

Hi thank you for your support. Triple bypass 😩X.

[MumaLines in reply to gorillaqueen]

I had Quadruple. It doesn't matter how many my lovely, you are going to be fine. The only thing that hurt after my bypass was my leg, not my chest. A lot of the Bypass Hearties say the same xx

[thisoldheartofmine]

I had a triple bypass in early August. If my experience is anything to go by you'll be fine.

I went into the pre-op room to be wired up, was chatting away to one of the medical staff. the next thing that I knew was waking up and slowly realising that everything was all over. The pain was uncomfortable rather than unendurable, The one thing that did surprise me was the effect the anaesthetic had on me, nothing unpleasant but it take me a good few days to shake off the grogginess and slightly confused feeling. I largely controlled the pain with nothing stronger than paracetamol. After about a month at home most of the pain has abated. Certainly movement was a lot easier after those five/six weeks. Now (twelve weeks later) I feel really quite well.

By Christmas Day you will be wondering why you were so uneasy and worried and you'll be well on the way to a full recovery. A bit early yet but, Merry Christmas and it will be.