Op date

[Jcdg]

morning , I’ve now got my op date for triple bypass a week Monday ! this might sound weird but whilst I’ve been waiting for date I put it all at the back of mind and let myself believe it’s not real , but now … I can’t seem to get my head round it , as I’ve been told by many people thousands of people have had this done you’ll be fine , I do have other medical issues such type 1 diabetes, COPD and Claudication in the legs , and yes I am scared but try not to show it to family and friends , I think what I’m asking is understanding of how I feel , I live on my own and I don’t like to burden my family , sorry for long post and hope this makes sense !

[Tos92]

Good morning Jcdg

I hope you’re well today.

Despite any kind of operation or surgery being scary, it is a must in your case.

I don’t have any experience of this however, there is another member on here who does have experience of a triple bypass so I will tag BeKind28- and hopefully she will be by to offer her insight.

It is probably wise to have someone look after you once you are discharged after the operation. This is for both emotional and physical support unless you can have someone pop in everyday to check on you? I appreciate you don’t want to be a burden on your family however, your health is also important. Could you speak to them before the op and maybe put a plan in place with them for when you do leave hospital?

Let us know how you get on post-op.

All the best.

Tos

[Jcdg in reply to Tos92]

thank you Tos92 , I’ve always been so independent and do for others and find it difficult to ask for help but will take a deep breath and have a chat with my sons , I think they will probably be relieved that I’ve finally asked 🙂

[BeKind28-]

Hello

You have done really well to have been able to put it to the back of your mind till now you have been given a date and it has become reality but people are right they do this all the time and they are experts in what they do even on patients with other health issues they are aware of how to still do this op and keep you safe and they will

Loving on your own cannot be easy at a time like this and you say you have family but do not want to burden them but family are there to support you in times of need and this is one of those times

You are going to need support after the op so I am sure your family would be devastated to know how you really feel and you not sharing this with them they will want to help

I would seriously think about opening up to them I think you will be surprised how much they will support you and be there for you

As for the actual op it sounds scary I was petrified literally but I was surprised it was nothing like I had imagined and if there are any questions you want to know about it etc either post again or just ask on here we will do our best to answer you

Let us know how you get on x

[Jcdg in reply to BeKind28-]

hi BeKind28,

thank you for you reply, think I’m just used to helping others but I will let them know how I feel and get a plan in place

I do have faith in my consultant

Thank you again

[BeKind28- in reply to Jcdg]

Hello

It is good helping others and for those that mostly do that can be hard when we need help ourselves to ask but that is even more reason to ask now it is your turn to be helped and I know they will

There are little things you can be doing like getting your bag ready if not already done it as well as making sure everything that may be in higher cupboards or drawers you move them to lower ones that you know you use regular as reaching up is something we should and cannot do for a few weeks

I am glad you have faith in your Consultant that goes a long way and they are so good in what they do x

[Jcdg in reply to BeKind28-]

didn’t think of that thank you , this will give me something to do today , moving things around and getting things in order , there is something I would like to know , what tops are best to wear after op ? Know it silly but was trying to pack and get ready ?

[BeKind28- in reply to Jcdg]

Hello

I think all us ladies are different in what we feel comfortable with after the op

For me but this is not all the ladies on here I had nightdresses in Hospital that could be left opened down the front and easily accessible to open

Bra wise a lot like a front fastening one which Marks and spencers sell as well as you can find them at other places to and some like what they call a sports bra that are just material and soft I got them all been me and then I found I felt best with no bra on at all like I say we are all different

I came home as I had mine done in August and it was hot in a low cut sundress that again was light and soft to try and avoid the scar as that is tender to start with and I took a lightweight scarf just to drape over me as usually I am not someone that would wear low cut things

Once you are back home of course wear whatever you feel comfortable in

I also paid my bills upfront if I knew they were going to be due as then I knew I did not have to think about anything other than recovery

I basically got as organised as I could maybe freeze some meals so you do not have to try and cook I thought and did all things like that to x

[Jcdg in reply to BeKind28-]

I did pack vests but then thought better of it and packed front opening tops , it’s quite hard to imagine how it’s going to be be , I think I’ve covered most things now 🤞

Thank you again for sound advice and words of encouragement 🙂

[BeKind28- in reply to Jcdg]

Hello

Vest tops would mean you lifting up your arms which can be a struggle so things that slip on easy I found best

You cannot imagine how it will be but as you know you will have a sore wound going down the middle of your chest so just imagine what would be most comfortable I think it is better for men as they can lay there with no top on and when they were leaving I noticed they worse a short sleeve shirt and left it opened bit obviously as ladies we cannot do that

I suffer with severe anxiety and it is severe and all I can say if I am saying it is not as bad as you think it will be if that is what you are thinking then it really isn't you will be so well looked after to while you are in there the Nurses on these wards look after us so well you have nothing at all to worry about we are here and as others did for me here it felt like they were with me every step of the way and we will be here for you to if you need us

Again any question is not silly we have all asked so many so if you think of anything else just ask x

[Jcdg in reply to BeKind28-]

thank you so much , you all have put my mind at rest , it is definitely the waiting !

Take care , will let you know how it all goes

[BeKind28- in reply to Jcdg]

Hello

The waiting actually is the worst bit of this but keep as occupied as you can and once you are in there it will go quick and you will be home recovering before you know it x

[MountainGoat52]

Hi Jcdg,

You sound a bit like me. I was chilled out up to the time I had a firm date... it was my wife that was stressed out, bless her. Rather than getting concerned myself, I decided to get on with what I had arranged which helped me a lot - a few days before my op I was ckimbing hills in the Cheviots. 😀

I would encourage you to involve family and friends now that you have a date. You will certainly need some help once you get out of hospital. The op is a major procedure and even though I was reasonably fit before it, I was surprised how much that it took out of me. Walking up even moderate slopes was a real effort, as indeed were the stairs! It will be a few weeks before you feel like you were before the op and from there it is a slow and gradual recovery to get you to what should be a much improved situation.

As always in life, there will be ups and downs after the op, but I would encourage you to stay positive - it certainly helped me. If you experience any problems then do get in touch with the medical team looking after you. If you have any specific questions before the op, then post on here. Quite a number of us have gone through bypass ops.

With my very best wishes for a week Monday and thereafter,

Gerald

[Jcdg in reply to MountainGoat52]

morning GWp1952

Wow climbing mountains , my goal is to go on some nice walks afterwards I’ll leave the mountains for you 🙂

Thank you for your kind words , it’s nice to hear from people who have gone through this , I’ve always considered myself a strong lady but since phone call I have had a few melt downs and then tell myself off

[MountainGoat52 in reply to Jcdg]

Well we all deal with stress in different ways. Having a melt down is entirely understandable. I know I just wanted to get it over and done with and the way I dealt with it was to engage with what I love. Hence the visit to the Cheviots. I have since gone on to greater things... the Munros up in Scotland. I am always looking forward to my next visit - it's what keeps me going. 😀.

I'm sure you will manage some lovely walks once you have recovered. You have something to look forward to and I would hope family and friends will accompany you to create some memorable times. Keep focussed on the future and you will get there.

Kindest regards,

Gerald

[Yumz199725]

Morning and so good to hear you have a date for your op! Aw im sure you will be fine wishing you all the best and keep us updated with everything when you can x

[francesw47]

Hi Jcdg. Just to add a little to the wise advice from BeKind. Why would you not be anxious? Its a big op and although safe its not a picnic in the park. I'm afraid I've done this twice now - others on here have have more heart ops for various reasons. Part of the last op was an emergency triple by pass.

Practically you will need help at home when you first come out. Please see if someone can be with you for at least the first few days, if not weeks. You will, obviously, not be able to drive nor walk far. I topped up my freezer with loads of precooked meals and other goodies so that i did not have to think about cooking anything for a good few weeks. I made sure I had enough milk, bread, etc to last a while. You will not be able to lift anything heavier than a kettle half filled with water to ensure proper healing of your sternum. So don't expect to be able to (or feel like) cooking for a while. Thank goodness for microwaves.

I packed front fastening PJs. Bras were more difficult - I'm a rather tiny person so it didn't bother me going bra free for a week or so - its a personal choice. Sports bras are great (but they need to fasten down the front) and M and S has a good range of post surgery bras and helpful and considerate staff who will help. Front fastening tops a must for a while. I also invested in a V shaped back rest pillow - Amazon or other will deliver. Really helped as lying down for a week or so not an option either. sleeping propped up is an art form, but doable.

As for what to take - as little as possible. The hosp took great care of my things when I was in theatre/ICU but really you quickly get to the point where you want your own soap, toothpaste etc. Apart from the usual toiletries I took mouthwash....essential. And some way of listening to music and a book. I hate to say it, but its quite boring on the one hand and paradoxically busy on the other - hospitals have a life and rhythm of their own. I also took wipes and hand cream.

Once home the only thing on my mid was recovering. So I walked, every day, sometimes twice a day and a little further each time. Until I was able to walk independently (my minders had gone home!) and further and further. I felt like I could fly that day!! I also invested in a spirometer (from Amazon) to do the necessary breathing exercises - your lungs collapse during this surgery so getting re-inflated is vital. But takes a bit of effort - I still use it today to maintain good deep breathing.

The other tip is to ask for a pillow or cushion to pop under a seat belt for the journey home - to cushion your sternum. I hugged that pillow for a while - it did help brace against any coughs/laughs etc as I'm afraid that can hurt a bit.

The only thing left is to wish you a quick and speedy passage through surgery and safely home the other side - and please do let us know how you are. Waiting really is the worst bit = and hopefully once recovered from the op itself you will feel so much better .

Frances x