Terrified!!

[APC65]

I am scheduled for double bypass surgery next Monday and am terrified! Have always been fit and healthy and never had to undergo in patient surgery. Need reminding of why I am putting myself through this, as angina pain is very well managed! I’m only 58 and my heart EF is good . 😬🥴

[Hidden]

Hello

I had a triple Bypass 17 months ago I was your age 58 to

I already suffer with severe anxiety so it was an utter nightmare or felt like it at the time to be told I somehow had to face and go through what seemed the biggest nightmare that could possibly happen to me

I think there is no one that would say they did not feel some fear facing an op such as this but mine felt of the scale

Members on here that had been through it encouraged me and reassured me everything would be ok and it was

You are in the best hands you could be , there will be trained Nurses caring for you every step of the way and even though I know you are questioning why now the time is getting closer doing Bypass ops is not something they would do if they felt it was not needed

Anything you want to ask about it just ask and we will share with you the answers

One thing I can say is what I had built it up in my head to be it was nothing like I had imagined

If I can do it I know anyone can and you will to x

[APC65 in reply to Hidden]

hi - Thankyou. I also have severe anxiety as you say ‘ this feels like the worst thing’ I could ever have to face! I have pre -op on Friday so hoping I’ll have opportunity to ask any more questions then. How long did it take you to feel you could relax about your condition after the operation?

[Hidden in reply to APC65]

Hello

Sorry you suffer with anxiety to I know just how it feels

Before your pre op Friday write down any questions you want to ask because again especially when we have anxiety we can forget and I find it helps I just get my list out

When it comes to relaxing after I would say I am the worst person answering this as 17 months later I am still panicking even though nothing is wrong but for most they feel relaxed more or less straight away and glad it is done

I am also agoraphobic and missed out on the Rehab classes which usually you get offered within the first 3 months after the op and the help and confidence they have given people when I read on here has been what got them up and started again so when you are offered those I would say go as that will help your confidence and to feel more relaxed

I think once you have had the op you will see just how close they monitor you that helps you relax you could not be anywhere safer with the care and when you here that Surgeon say everything went fine which it will and then you are fit enough to go home and they would not send you home if they had any concerns it helps you to feel more relaxed

Try and take each stage at a time , I know with anxiety we can run a mile ahead with our thoughts but step by step , trust them they know what they are doing

When you need us just come on even when you are in Hospital and we will help you all we can x

[10gingercats]

Has it not been explained to you why you need this surgery?With very long surgical lists I doubt any surgeon will be wanting to do this surgery without a very good reason.....life saving. You must know/find out why this being done.

[APC65 in reply to 10gingercats]

hi - yes they have explained why it’s needed… and obviously I am being guided by their expertise - doesn’t stop the questioning in my head, as believe me if I could avoid the procedure I would!!

[Yumz199725]

Did they explain the reason for the double bypass if your angina is well managed and a normal EF?

Hope all goes well for next Monday! ☺️

[Giant68]

I had a quintuple bypass in the summer of 2019. I guess, in a way, I was lucky because from heart attacks to bypass op time flew by and I didn't really have time to feel anxious about it. I went to A&E, on my doctor's orders, with chest pain on a Monday, was kept in and operated on on Thursday. I was told I would be having a triple but when I came round on the Friday I was told I'd had a quintuple. Here I am nearly 4 years later, fit, healthy and having a great life. It is natural to be worried but at the end everything should turn out ok. Just do as you are told.

Giant68

[Charl70]

hello

I had quadruple bypass 5 months ago and as be kind says its no where as near as bad as you think ,once you have anithestic your not be aware of anything until they slowly wake you the care I received at st Thomas's was amazing they treat you like gold , your be sitting up in a day in a chair and walking around after a few days ,your hospital stay will be around 5/8 days normally ,once home try to make things as comfortable as possible and rest ,as many wonderful people say on here listen to your body all the best to you and there are so many wonderful people on here that will gladly answer any questions or give you experience advice

[leach234]

did you get a second opinion?

[Avdi]

Hi, I had a double Bypass in May 2022 after one episode of unstable angina. Apparently according to the cardiologists I was a time bomb waiting to go off. I was 63, my whole life has been about sport and keeping fit, football, rugby cross country, athletics, cycling and long distance hiking, it was in my genetics, go figure?

Anyway, 9 months later following post operative advice to the letter, cardiac rehabilitation taking all the medication and medical checks ups I’m back to pre Op exercise levels.

I understand your worry and anxiety but in the end they are doing it for all the right reasons for you. Do everything they ask, follow the advice and treatment and you’ll be back to normal before you know it. I was operated on 4 May, discharged 9 May and did my first outdoor walk on 10 May to a coffee shop, 2 mile round trip. I was walking 8 miles plus by week 6. You will be ok.

The worse bit for me……..no decent coffee ☕️ in hospital 🤣

Let us know how you get on. Take care.

[MarmiteB]

Hey Lovely!

I too am in the zipper club, had a double bypass in Jan last year. And, like a lot of folk here I am back to “normal” and have returned to my usual level of fitness, running and going to the gym etc just one year on (it was my heart birthday 15th Jan!)

It sounds INSANE but having one just isn’t as bad as you think, honest. I said this to my surgeon about 6 weeks after my op and he said…”If only a patient would believe me when I said that”. It’s true, there’s no way your going to believe me either. Of course, I am not trying to minimalise your worries, just elevate them xx

I would be MORE than happy to have a chat on the phone with you about it and answer any questions you have, peer to peer. Just private message me and I’ll give you my number. I am a bit younger than you but the experience is still the same.

If your close by I wouldn’t mind meeting for a coffee xxx

[CyclingTime]

I was the same as yourself last Jan 22, fit and on no medication then suddenly I needed a quad bypass as it turned out I had 90%+ blockages.Operation went well, they have done lots and lots so nothing to special about these ops now.

Recovery went well and I am knocking my old cycling records out of the park now, feel brilliant and set for the future.

Time will fly past 😊

[APC65]

Thank you everyone for words of support and encouragement. I have never felt the need to use support groups before, but I will be a regular on here now for a while. I will post updates. Thank you again.

[devonian186]

They don't suggest by pas surgery for no good reason. It is pretty routine these days and performed by surgeons at the top of their abilities.

I thought my angina was well managed for some 10 years until one day I needed to use my spray for the first time. I called my GP who sent me to the local assessment unit and came out 14 days later after having had a quadruple heart bypass.

The preparations for surgery means lots of tests and checks so there is little time to be anxious once in hospital. It is coming out of hospital-typically after 4 or 5 days that you need to prepare for. At 58 hopefully your recovery will be pretty quick but for at least 2 weeks you will need someone looking after you -or at least being around-on a constant basis and will still be very restricted in what you can do for some time after that, depending on your current level of fitness and how long the entire process of going in and coming out takes.

Operations are often deferred if someone comes in for an emergency so you could be in hospital for as long as I was which will affect your overall fitness and your recovery time.

[ChoochSiesta]

Exactly a year ago I was 57, no real angina, EF ok, terrified and preparing for a triple bypass. Trust the surgeon team and look forward to getting through all this.

[Pundles]

It’ll be fine.

My story is different from most, in that my journey started innocently with a positive bowel test, pre-pandemic. Then my consultation was cancelled due to the global Covid outbreak, and only when I started having symptoms that I was admitted for a resection.

Then I started chemo for the slight chance that the cancer had spread, and one of the drugs caused blood vessel constriction, so I was blue lighted to UHB suffering a MI. They stented one artery, but said I’d need surgery in the form of bypass.

Then began the long wait (nearly two years) before being admitted for a triple CABG. Fortunately I have some very good friends in the NHS, who were very supportive and all kept saying how well I looked even though I was terrified inside.

Everything went well (as they said it would) even though I had to return to ICU after a day due to a collapsed lung. But that just serves to illustrate how closely you are monitored.

Eight months on I’m out walking every day, still a little short of breath, but that’s to be expected at 71.

Surrender yourself to their excellent care and try not to worry. Get your partner to buy loads of chocolates to put beside your bed, and tell the nursing staff to help themselves. This will ensure you get even better care than the other patients.

[Digger0]

I'm sure they would not have offered you a double bypass if it was not needed. Write down your questions and take them on Friday. When I had my ASD repaired I wrote them out on A4 paper with a space between each question to put the answers and my consultant was pleased I'd done that! Good luck on Monday and let us know how you get on.

[Hidden]

👋 Hi APC65, I really feel for you. I was diagnosed with severe stenosis of the LAD February 2022. Like you the only symptoms I suffered from were discomfort- shortness of breath when exercising. Otherwise I was symptom free I even rejected all medication other than an a baby Aspirin.

Life carried on pretty much as normal until I received a call 📞 on Thursday 22 September " Look we've had a cancellation would you prepared to come in this Saturday at such short notice and if so we'll perform your Bypass on Monday!"

To be brutally honest I was terrified 😨 but being a male I just made a joke of it to my friends and family 👪 and to the nursing staff when I arrived. When in reality I was screaming inside "there's nothing wrong with me why am I putting myself through this!"

I suspect you're currently experiencing the same trepidation I did but being more honest with yourself and your nearest and dearest.

As to what awaits you on Monday. The nursing staff are fully aware of just how apprehensive you as a patient will be very supportive. In my case I was given some sort of sedative prior to my operation and though I didn't go down to the operating theatre till 1pm I have little or no recollection of Monday morning even though my wife says I phoned her on numerous occasions.

The next two days are pretty much a blur and more or less pain free. My 1st clear memory post op day three was being able to take a shower pure bliss!

By then I was roaming the wards like a caged tiger 🐅 looking for a way out.

By the sound of it at 65 with no underlying health problems you will recover even quicker than I did and be out in less than a week.

So, sure it's not something to take lightly but statistically you're probably more at risk crossing a busy high street.

I'm sure everyone will be wishing you the best on Monday. Do post and let everyone know you're OK . Best wishes, Denis

[APC65 in reply to Hidden]

Hi - like you on diagnosis of angina I rejected medication with exception of aspirin, I even questioned the Nurse specialists expertise ... Complete denial, as only 58 and no risk factors.... I did ring and apologies to the nurse on outcome of angiogram..... She called it absolutely right based on my ECG. it has been really helpful hearing the experience of others, as it makes my situation feel less exceptional, and I just need to ' get on with it'. Thank you - I'll post update next week when I can.

[Hidden in reply to APC65]

My apologies for ageing you by eight years!😂 At 58, you're in an even better place and will sail through your operation. Don't hesitate to reach out to everyone post-op I only stumbled across this forum when scouring the Web for other like minded medication refusniks and came across a wealth of information and personal experience that has helped my recovery.

Will be keeping my 🤞Fingers crossed as will everyone else for you come Monday.

[Rayros21]

I had a triple bypass in October 2019, about ten days after having a heart attack at the age of 56. I didn't have long to think about the operation as things happened so quickly. I do remember feeling terrified but I'm sure that you are in the best possible hands and will be very well looked after. I had my surgery at St Thomas' Hospital in London where the team were amazing. As others have suggested, ask any questions you have when you have your pre-op meeting and follow all the advice given to you in relation to your post-op care. Wishing you all the very best. Take care.

[LadyZ13]

Just want to thank everyone on this thread for their reassuring replies. I'm set to join the zipper club later this year, I'm 38 and in perfect health other than a massive ASD that isn't causing me any bother (yet!) but will shorten my life if not fixed. I'm so frightened by the prospect of open heart surgery but you guys really do help normalise it and give me hope that I too will be able to come through it. Thank you.

[Heather1957]

Of course you are terrified, I would say that is the feeling we all have prior to OHS!

I had no choice really, of course I could have said no but was told the blockage was in a difficult position and the only option was a bypass.

For a few months afterwards I admit I asked myself several times why I had agreed to this, but when I used common sense I knew if the Cardiologist recommended it and the Cardiac surgeon agreed it was the right decision!

Believe me, you are not alone in your thoughts but hopefully in a week's time it will be over and you can start your recovery and getting your life back.

[MumaLines]

I know it's so hard for you, and it's easy for me to say please try and calm down. There must be a good reason why you have been offered a bypass. The surgery is probably not what you have imagined it to be like. I remember BeKind28, she was suffering so badly with anxiety before her Bypass. Us Bypass Hearties tried to help her the same as we are here to help you. BeKind28 has said below, it is not how you imagine it to be like, this is true. I had a Quadruple 7yrs ago and did not have a choice, I was told without the surgery, I would die. Here I am, to let you know that it's going to be ok.

There will be Teams looking after you, before, during and after surgery. Heart Surgery professional miracle workers. They know exactly what their doing as they look after Bypass Patients day in day out.

What would you do, what would we all do without Bypass Surgery? We go sound asleep, a deep deep sleep and if anyone, it's our loved one's that suffer whilst we have the surgery.

My surgery team said I woke up with turrets (is that how you spell it?). I just wanted them to leave me sleeping, but oh no, they have you on the go quite quickly.

Here I am, still alive, and here to help others and to also take advice from other Hearties as only we know exactly how we are really feeling, the thoughts that keep swimming around in our heads. All of US have been there, had it, done it and doing it. The Hearties are here to lean on when you need to as we are all afraid, before, during and especially after.