Nervous about upcoming bypass surgery

[Badders123]

Hello all. I’ve got heart bypass scheduled soon and worries are creeping in. It’s all happened really fast with me being in my early 40s and fairy active. Then being told post angiogram that a triple bypass is needed (mainly due to genetics I’m told). Any advice would be great.

[Hidden]

Hello

How you are feeling is normal but this is an operation they do every day so many times , to them to is like a dentist pulling a tooth out !

I am a nervous wreck always have been so when I was told I had to have a triple Bypass well I thought it would never happen

When I turned up at the Hospital they knew how anxious I was and it took about 45 mins to persuade me even to go in the Hospital never mind having it done !

Now looking back I feel so silly reacting that way

From the moment you walk in they take such good care of you , the Nurses care for heart patients every day and know exactly how we are feeling and how to keep us as calm as possible they are so good at what they do

The Surgeons well they are just fantastic and again so reassuring you could not be in better hands

Tell yourself that you have to have this done , but it is going to give you a new lease of life and just how lucky that what we have wrong we can have this chance

Some will tell you what to do when you get home etc after the op but I think let's get you in there and get this op done and then step by step after

You have got this and focus on getting back to full health again you are young and fit so I imagine you will make a great recovery

Follow everything they tell you to do you will be fine

Just one suggestion is get everything organised at home before you go in so when you come home all you have to do is focus on your recovery

Let us know how you get on and any specific questions just ask and we will answer you x

[Badders123 in reply to Hidden]

thank you so much for your wise words, has really helped ☺️

[Hidden in reply to Badders123]

x

[Carercmb in reply to Hidden]

well done BeKind spot on again

[Hidden in reply to Carercmb]

Thank You

I hope you are keeping well x

[Afibflipper]

This is such a big thing to go through - nerves - seems such a little word to describe real feelings doesn’t it!

I have not had this work personally but family have (I feel my ablations for heart arrhythmias are trivial in comparison but it’s had me on and off my feet for nearly 20 years) my last one just 2 days ago but people on hear are beyond supportive - considering I’ve never met them some I feel I know. Having had all their messages the other day I went to hospital in a confident, less nervous mood.

I agree with BeKind28 - get home life straight so you walk in and relax and repair.

Just keep telling yourself, as I did even to the point they were giving me the sleepy juice and staring at the ceiling - “this is where I get my life back this is where I get my life back ……”

Good luck and up date everyone, ask for help and be strong 💪 x

[Badders123]

loving the advice to stay positive 👌

[ChoochSiesta]

A nurse gave me some good advice. "You should be worried if the docs say they can't do anything for you."

[Carlg]

Hi Badders123,

I can sympathize with how you are feelings. I found out suddenly I needed a triple bypass after having no real symptoms.

Went in for the angiogram and never left the hospital. I do was relatively fit (I taught gym classes!) And am pretty young (37 at the time). It was a shock and a lot to process. However I found it good to focus on the positive and think at least they caught it.

Feel assured you will be in good hands and these operations are now more routine. T

I won't lie the recovery is long and there will be difficult moments. But there is light at the end of the tunnel.

I have /am making a good recovery. Attended cardio rehab and fitness is slowly returning. I just can't do everything I was able to do yet.

If you have any particular questions or want to message more let me know. I'll quite happily share my journey.

[Chappychap]

It's reasonable to be apprehensive about open heart surgery. It's a very major procedure and of course it comes with risks. However, your cardiologist has judged that the benefits outweigh the risks, which is why they've recommended surgery.

Before the operation you'll be asked to sign a consent form that will warn you that there's 2% chance of a bad outcome, such as death or a stroke during surgery. It's worth reflecting on that for a moment, a 2% chance of a bad outcome means a 98% chance of a good outcome.

But more importantly that 2% figure is only an average, what really matters is your personal risk profile. Unfortunately you won't be given that, but the underlying research (EuroSCORE II) shows a range of risk that goes from roughly 0.2% to 20%. The biggest factor is age, and given that the average age for heart surgery is something like 68, it means as a far younger person your personal risk profile is likely to be well below the average. As far as the risk of the operation itself you're in a good place Badders!

However, that's not the end of the story. Your relative young age is good news with respect to the risks of the operation, but it's bad news in terms of needing surgery in the first place. You say in your post that your heart problems are "mainly genetic". I'd question that assumption, the practical implication of the great majority of heart gene issues (not all, but the great majority) mean we have a genetic disposition to a poor outcome from a life style or environmental factor.

For example, roughly 17% of the population are very sensitive to fat and alcohol in their diet due to the variant of the ApoE gene they carry. But if they eliminate alcohol and drastically cut down on fat (in particular the trans fats that are often found in take away foods) then their risk profile is virtually the same as the general population. So is that a genetic issue or a life style issue? Seems to me that for all practical purposes the two are inseparable.

And that has real implications for you. As a young person you want forty years or more of healthy life following your bypass. That's especially true as it's quite rare for surgeons to ever recommend a second bypass operation. So you have to make this one count. In reality that's going to mean being scrupulous about taking your medication, and also a root and branch review of every aspect of your life style to tilt the playing field as far in your favour as possible. The cardio rehab course following your surgery will give you much more information about this.

And the good news is that all this is entirely possible. With sufficient effort and application you can radically reduce your risks of any future heart incident.

Good luck!

[Badders123 in reply to Chappychap]

thanks for the advice…..have already implemented lifestyle changes but will endeavour to do more and stick to it 💪👌

[RedRockSupersonic]

Hello

I was similar to you a few months ago in my 40s with various symptoms and post angiogram I found out I had a missing valve due to a birth defect and also needed a aortic root replacement. I have now been home for 7 weeks and well on the road to recovery. It has been a bumpy ride but at no point could I fault the care I received from Glenfield Hospital in Leicester. You will be fine just follow any advice given and look forward to next summer, maybe make a few plans for when you are better?

[CyclingTime]

Had it in January, it's a major surgery yes but they do thousands a year so it's a well honed procedure. Like taking your car in for a new clutch.

I can honestly say the pain management they provide was excellent and I never felt in any great pain, recovery to a normal life is normally pretty quick as well. Relax, they know what they are doing.

[Beardie100]

Get as fit as you can to have a good recovery.

[gorillaqueen]

Good morning I’m 3 weeks post triple bypass and was very anxious and nervous just like you, arguing with myself do I really need this ? Putting it bluntly I was terrified but joining this forum really helped the people on here are amazing and so helpful. I was in St Thomas Hospital and as Bekind rightly says the surgeons and all the staff are so caring, truly amazing they take it all in their stride. You will be in good hands so please try to be calm and please let us know how your doing. I wish you all the best and a speedy recovery. You have age on your side Xx.

[AJ786786]

Hi, I was taken ill whilst on Holiday in 2020. They thought it was covid and ended up in ICU for 2 weeks. Once stable I was flown back to the UK on Air Ambulance . I was called by the Cardiologist and he knew just by my voice over the phone that I had heart issues. I had an angiography done and was told I need a Quad Bypass. Waited 3 months due to covid and when it was done I was diagnosed with Heart failure. I was told by the Cardiologist that my genetics were different and I will stay on meds for the rest of my life. Honestly It was a shock as I was checked only 1 month before I went on holiday and it was all good. They only manged 2 Grafts as 2 were totally damaged. I haven't seen a Cardiologist since I've had my operation 2 yrs ago but the tablets I'm on are good. I manage ok as a Heart failure patient good days and bad days. You just need to be positive and stay active and Strong. All the best 👍

[devonian186]

Do bear in mind that when waiting for the operation other emergencies might come into the ward who might be deemed to be more urgent than you, so if your surgery is not the first or second on that days list you might get 'bumped' to the next day.

However, it is AFTER you come out that I think more attention needs to be directed. Below is a reply I have given to several other people here, so please excuse if it doesn't directly reference you and might have wrong tenses or sexes..

Copied below are suggestions;

---- ---- -----

"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. You will be in good care in hospital and there is little you can do to affect the process and what with tests, examinations, meals, tiny walks, visits etc, time will pass quickly.

Consequently, I think your time now would be best spent in preparing for the stay (suitable clothes, snacks, entertainment) but more especially the return home. Typically, you will be in hospital for 4 days AFTER surgery and likely to move ward 2 or 3 times as dependency and risks reduce.

The operation whilst routine, is still a big operation. During the recovery period at home, you will feel tired, emotional and your routine will need to change with someone preparing meals, having someone present when going 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 as emotions will run high. That is the operation and the new realities 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 that you like, tablet, kindle, radio, tv etc. You 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 you back.

Have lots of cushions around, easy access to a toilet and provide a choice of comfortable chairs, as what will be comfortable during the morning 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 asking to be left alone when you want quiet.

The chest area might ache ( I took paracetamol for 4 weeks then suddenly found I didn't need them any longer) and I found a padded gilet to be very useful (especially when in a car.) to protect the chest area.

Short trips out when you 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 flat walks and a coffee.

Follow any exercise routines provided by the hospital but don't do too much otherwise you will pay for it the next day.

Keep a health diary as you will all be able to see the improvements made week on week if not day on day. Its useful to set goal's such as when you might like to start driving again or see friends and relatives. At 6 weeks post op I was horrified by the thought of driving, at 7 weeks I was eager to give it a go, so you can see how quickly you might improve after the initial period.

Good luck and let us all know how you get on

[Badders123 in reply to devonian186]

thanks for the sound advice 👌

[vnarayan]

Hi Badders123, i would suggest you to visit at least 3 to 4 senior cardiologists before deciding on bypass.

[vnarayan]

Please take multiple opinions especially from senior cardiologists. If collaterals are working fine and if you don't have any symptoms there is no need for bypass. I am completely destroyed after by bypass.

[Badders123]

hello all. Had my bypass last week and am back home and onto recovery. Thanks to all for your words of advice. Nurses & Drs were awesome and answered all my questions & settled my nerves. One point for me was importance of drinking fluids during hospital stay. Appetite did decrease but need to focus on fluids & food for energy.

[Hidden in reply to Badders123]

Hello

Just happened to come across this reply and you don't mess about do you

In and out and back home well done

I am so pleased things went well , now take it easy and focus on your recovery x

[Badders123 in reply to Hidden]

thanks BeKind28. Blood pressure did drop hence the focus on liquids. Any tips on sleeping well will be appreciated.

[Hidden in reply to Badders123]

Hello

It can be quite common blood pressure dips but yes keep up your fluids and it will be fine

I was quite lucky when usually I am not I never had much trouble sleeping after in fact I sleep on my side and as soon as they put me back on the ward I was back on my side again even when I got home

But if you are finding it painful which more do than don't and I have even read lot's had to sleep in a recliner chair for a few weeks but take some painkillers before bed and maybe get a soft pillow or a soft rolled up towel and gently put it up to your chest to help protect it

Prop yourself up more in bed as well I have read can help

These first weeks even sometimes longer can be a bit awkward finding how to get comfortable but it will get better in time

People may not look on this post as much now so if things like sleeping or any questions you have if you start a new post if you felt like it then it will get seen and no doubt you get quite a lot of different suggestions x

[Swalecliffe88]

Whenever I read a post from a fellow hearty in that awful period of time between getting that shattering news and walking into the hospital on the dreaded day of the op. Always takes me back to the day I trod your path 8 years ago. 3 new pipes later, other hearties will have heard my story of how my son and daughter had to push me through those large front doors of St Thomas’s hospital with my arms and legs spread eagled resembling a wary dog recognising the door of the local vets 😂😂. BeKind always gives such wise and understanding advice and I always say. You be an odd person not to be feeling what you are now and yes the few days in hospital and first few weeks in recovery are going to be a journey of good days and not so good days. BUT in a few weeks you are going to find out you didn’t realise how poorly you were because you are going to feel so well. Good Luck for your op. If you can’t sleep there’s normally one of us sharing the twilight hours with you and we’re be here for those not so good days in the next few weeks. Be kind to yourself and take the time your body needs to heal.

[ChoochSiesta in reply to Swalecliffe88]

Exactly, my such time was exactly 1 year ago. I was due the op first week of January, kinda spoilt Xmas! Of course it got delayed into February too. Surreal time tbh.