Hi
i am 5 weeks into recovery following double by pass surgery. Recovering fairly well apart from poor sleep and pain or discomfort under and around my right shoulder.
I have had the pain in the shoulder area from day 1, however it did start to disappear on some days but only to return on others, mostly the pain is directly in my armpit area and front of my shoulder.
also sometimes if I take a deep breath I do get the same pain but only on the first breath?
anybody experienced anything similar?
I wouldn't be too surprised. The physical trauma involved in open heart surgery is pretty barbaric. It's not just the opening of the chest cavity, the rib cage is forced apart and the arms are twisted back in order to give the surgeon better access. There's a video of the entire process on YouTube, but you'd need a strong stomach to watch it all the way through!
Added to that is the fact that you'll now be sleeping in unusual positions, and pain killers mean that you'll remain in awkward positions longer than you otherwise would.
Bottom line is that you can expect these puzzling aches and pains for several more weeks, maybe even months. But the day will come when, as long as you've done your breathing and walking exercises, you'll suddenly realise that you're actually stronger and fitter than before the operation.
And that amazing sense of renewal will keep growing until you'll find yourself bouncing out of bed in the morning, fizzing with life and energy, feeling ten or twenty years younger.
So hang on in there, it's all worth it in the end!
Good luck!
thanks for your help chappychaps, I understand and it sounds like it will take time.
i fully support what Chappychap says and would add: make sure you keep doing your breathing and other exercises, these help to keep your chest moving so that the healing tissue develops with the flexibility needed for the future - as well as helping to make sure you breathe effectively and, believe it or not, helping with your venous return (blood getting back to your heart from round your body) and reducing the chance of DVTs
it's complicated isn't it!😀😉
Hi
I am 9 months post double bypass and still have arm, back, chest pains and niggles. As Chappychap has said it is down to the physical trauma of the bypass operation. My aches and pains have been easing over the 9 months of recovery and I’m sure they are going get better over time, but I’m also sure they will be with me a while longer too. Chappychaps explanation is spot on.
thanks Avdi, glad to hear your aches and pains are getting better, the only complaint I have is that you live in a lovely part of the world with lots of sun, I would love to live in Cyprus, we go on holiday to Protaras twice a year (not sure if that’ll happen this year yet).
Keep up the recovery.
I flew 4 months after my Op after the all clear by the cardiologist, sporting a natty pair of compression socks 😂 I’ve flown 5 times since.
the compression socks are a real nuisance, especially for the wife😂 she hates putting them on at the moment because i can’t pull them up
Dear Richard52
A warm welcome to you and your first interesting post, I say interesting because you have perfectly described exactly the healing process in that area after such a traumatic operation.
Let me say well done { not easy } for getting to this point in your recovery and sorry to say you have a little further to go.
With all aches and pains it is best to contact your GP and at the very lest get it put down into your notes as reference for your cardiology check up.
Your doing so well, remember your not alone
Take care
HI Blue thanks for the advice
I had the same issue but the pain went after a few months. Just part of your healing process and fairly normal.
thanks for that it helps to hear that someone else had the same issue
I, Like you, thought "I wonder if I will be stuck with this pain" but I have absolutely no pain now. It may be caused by the removal of the mamary artery that is used in your bypass, that runs into or close to the armpit.
They did use the mammary artery, but I thought that was on the left side! My pain comes on the right armpit, not to bad today hardly any there, so I guess it’s just time.
As everybody says keep doing the exercises and breathing exercises and it should improve, which it is I think, you know what it’s like just impatient.
Hmm it could be from the heart being inflammation from recovery. I have had all sorts of pains and sometimes with breathing in since i left ICU. I get random sharp ones, dull ache ones that stay all day. I also get aniexity ones where i am thinking about them and that can trigger it.I have been tested for this and pretty much told its nothing serious and especially its not angina type from blockage or whilst exercise or walking. They said it could be likely from heart repairing and from the damage its been through.
I’m 73 and 4 weeks from having main valve replacement I am so happy that I came upon this post as I have experienced all of the same symptoms you guys have said
What surprises me is that I never got told about walking or breathing exercises to do when I left hospital
I can easily walk 2000 steps a day and I have done 5/7000 steps a day but am off my feet for a couple of days after that with pains around the chest area
Does this make any sense to anyone
Thanks for any advice
not sure if a valve replacement is the same procedure as a bypass which I had, however the physiotherapist shows you the exercises prior to you going home.
Richard, your experience sounds very similar to mine. Six (6) weeks after by-pass surgery, I am experiencing constant pain under my right arm and right shoulder blade. Scheduled for a CT Scan in 5 days; but, I suspect there is little to be done other than continuing with PT and very light exercise.
Hope you are doing well and have experienced full recovery today.
left arm pain when out of breath 
Right Arm Pain
Arm pain/throb
Pain following valve surgery
Severe pain in my arm
