CABG recovery

[Stevie335]

Evening all, hope everyone is having a good day. Can I ask anyone who has had bypass surgery their experience of the level of pain when you come round ? I hear everything from virtually zero to the worst pain you can experience, some people saying that they wouldnt have gone through with the procedure had they known 😬. Im definitely having the procedure done, just dotting the I's and crossing the T's so to speak. Thanks everyone.

[shadowgomez]

I had a double heart bypass last sept. On waking up i did not feel pain. It was more when having to get up out of bed that i felt the pain. Its not pleasant but its manageable. Keep on top of your painkillers and pain management. Its a long recovery but you will get through it.

[Stevie335 in reply to shadowgomez]

Thank you. Ive never even taken paracetamol before so im hoping the medication will sort me out 😊

[Cee-Cee1]

Hi Stevie - I think when it comes to pain levels we all feel it differently. I had a HA followed by a triple bypass in January/February 2022. A few nights before the operation I was talking with the anesthetist and she told me to expect to feel as if I'd been hit by a bus afterwards 😬! In actual fact the morning after the operation, while still in ICU, I was really very pleasantly surprised to find that I only needed normal paracetamol tablets to deal with a dull ache. I was offered stronger pain relief but I genuinely didn't need it, a couple of people on the ward did find they needed a morphine patch in the evening though. Yes, it is painful, there's no getting away from the fact that its a big op, but I honestly didn't hear anyone complain of being in agony or anything. Once home, I took the full daily dose of paracetamol every day for about five days, cutting down gradually over the course of the next week and only the occasional dose after that once I was gardening again and over-exerted myself!

It's such an incredibly worthwhile operation - I can truly say that I feel so much better now than I did for a couple of years before it! I think I was putting the aches and pains and tiredness down to getting older.

Hopefully some of our other hearties will be along soon to share their experiences. Good luck with your operation, I really believe that you won't regret having it, I know that I certainly don't, I feel as if I've been given a new lease of life! Carol 😊

[Stevie335 in reply to Cee-Cee1]

Thank you Carol. Ive heard its best to know roughly what to expect so im just trying to fill in the gaps re questions that keep popping up. Ive stopped the Google searches, learned that the hard way lol

[Cee-Cee1]

I'm the same, Stevie, I always like to know what to expect. They kept me in hospital after the HA for five weeks prior to the op so I'd plenty of experts to ask! 😂 There's always someone here on the forum to share experiences with too - just keep asking and you'll be very well prepared!

[Heyjude31]

Hi Stevie, I had CABG x 4 two years ago, and I don’t remember any pain. Some discomfort for a day or two and I think that was when I sat up in a chair the day after surgery! It’s a slow recovery but it’s a steady improvement after the surgery . We just have to do as we are told, take our meds, exercise gently, not lift more than half a kettle for a few weeks, and for me one of the uncomfortable parts was wearing a girdle for a few days to help my sternum settle! and I am grateful every day to be able to enjoy life again. Let us know how you are doing, take care, Judi

[Stevie335 in reply to Heyjude31]

I will do thanks for your help Judi 😊

[scribbles-80]

Hi Stevie,

I had a bypass surgery nearly two years ago and I was fortunate that after I awoke there were very few times when I felt pain or discomfort. Even in those instances it was surprising the difference a dose of paracetamol could make.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help or medication if you need it, there is no need to act the hero-you are brave enough facing this and no one will judge you for it.

It is a big procedure and can be difficult at times physically, mentally and emotionally but once your health begins to return in earnest and you begin to feel more like yourself again, it will all feel worth it. Take care.

[wilberwoo]

Moving around is painful, as is coughing, but the pain shouldn't be too bad when you come around.

One word of advice, it is quite a long time to be under anaesthesia which stops your digestive system so if offered laxatives, take them. I didn't as I had never used them before, but trust me the last thing you need is added discomfort from not being able to 'go'.

Pain when first mobilising I would put at an 8, same for when you need to cough. Whilst laying or sitting reasonably still, there was very little pain at all. Within about 5 days you should be mobile and relatively pain free, although you will still be on painkillers. I reduced these faster than I should have once I got home as they made me feel quite sick if I wanted to move about - still used them for about a week at night though so I could sleep.

Just one more thing, make sure you have spare pillows just in case you need them. to make your sleeping position more comfortable, and good luck!

[outofwhack in reply to wilberwoo]

I absolutely agree with taking all the laxatives offered even if you don't see the need. I didn't and really regretted it spending 3hours in the loo unable to move multiple times.

[RailRover in reply to outofwhack]

Me too. Definitely take the laxatives! CABGx3 two years ago. Your whole digestive system seems to shut down, whether it's a reaction to the surgery or the medication, I'm not sure. I do know that I took the whole issue very lightly in my post-op delirium and refused lots of laxatives until it was too late. They don't explain the implications that well, and I finished up with an impaction. Even an enema in hospital struggled to sort it, and without drawing too unpleasant a picture for you, I finished up "mining" it with my own finger. Don't go there!!!

As for pain from the op, it isn't the end of the world. Of course you wake up deep in sedation from the drugs they've given you, and I found that and hallucinations over the next couple of days due to it to be a bigger problem than any pain. I saw things that weren't there, and was convinced that alien women had taken over the Welsh Assembly and were using it as a springboard to take over the world. (Honest truth!!) So it can do funny stuff. I too have used the expression "hit by a bus", but more in the sense that it knocks you for six rather than actual pain. It's a long climb back, but it is worth it. I think the worst pain I had wasn't in the chest at all. It was when they first took the dressing off the long wound on the leg where the vein had been harvested. They didn't warn me how fragile it was. I soon found out!

[SRDS]

Hello StevieMy husband has had CABG. He said that they heavily medicate you so that when you are conscious you do not feel the pain. When he woke up, he said he was so heavily medicated that he did not realise that operation was done. But yes when those wear out, he was in pain. Then again they give pyu strong painkillers.

Good luck. All will go well. This operation has been performed since the 50s I think. So try not to worry. Try to focus on when you will be recovered. My husband is very young. He took time to recover. But ii know a friend's dad who did not take long at all. Hope I waa able to help. Any other worry, however little, do let us know. Do not hesitate

[devonian186]

I had virtually no pain immediately after my 4 way bypass. Morphine and other pain relief was available but i didn't use it much.

I found on return home that the pain was greater and took the maximum allowed paracatemol- 2 tablets 4 times a day-which mostly relieved it. i used them for around 5 weeks then all of a sudden didn't need them anymore.

[Giant68]

I had 5x CABG in 2019. 17 hours under the knife. The pain was, mostly manageable, but did get worse when trying to move. The trick is to do as you are told and never turn down a painkiller. And don't be afraid to ask for pain relief either. I found that the pain soon eased and I was home after just over a week.

[GaryH29]

Hi Stevie

I had a quadruple in November 2014 at Basildon Cardiac unit.

Excellent procedure and my post-op pain was minimal.

My biggest problem was that I couldn't lay flat for a few weeks, kept feeling there was a weight on my chest. I slept in a recliner chair and was fine.

Good luck with it. Hope all goes well😀👍

[CyclingTime]

I had a quad. I have to say overall the pain management was excellent, I don't recall having major pain at all post the op. Obviously it's a bit uncomfortable but other than that all good for me.

[CalvinHb]

4 months on, the pain is nothing like I expected. One thing the nurses drummed into me was to ask for pain relief before it became high. It’s better to keep on top of it.

Everyone I was on the ward with fared well too. Please don’t worry about it, you’ll be so happy you had it once out the other end!

[Dyllibobs]

Hi Stevie335, I'm 11 weeks post bypass today! I agree with the other comments that I found the pain minimal apart from sitting up & lying down. Definitely take the medications offered as we are all different. Coughing or sneezing can be painful so do hold a cushion closely against your chest for comfort if this happens. Listen to the advice from the nurses they know what they're talking about. Wishing you the best of luck & hope all goes smoothly.

[MountainGoat52]

Hi Stevie,

I had very little pain after my op. The codeine and paracetamol that I was given dealt with it and I was told I could have more if it became an issue, but it didn't. When I was sent home I was given a load of both painkillers and told to contact my GP if I needed more, but I never needed to use the codeine. I took paracetamol for a few weeks mainly before going to bed.

All in all I've never had any pain from the internal work on my cardio-vascular system, just from my sternum and from my wrist where they harvested an artery. This is down to nerve damage. Thankfully I don't have an issue with my heart, so I can use ibuprofen gel if I get pain in these areas.

Recovery takes a while. Initially I found the op took a lot out of me, but after a couple of months I was starting to get back to where I was before the op. Take it day by day and you will get there. I'm now over 5 years post op and I still climb mountains in Scotland at the age of 71... slowly to the annoyance of my younger walking companions! 😁

All the best,

Gerald

[SJX130]

My husband had a triple bypass in May. He has little recollection of ITU after and says he felt no pain. The morphine pump was his best friend! The most pain he had was his leg when he came home. The chest was remarkably not bad at all. He’s able to resume normal life now, healthier and fitter than he has been in years. It’s tough but so worth it! Good luck

[KaduFlyer]

Hi Stevie - I had my CABG x3 on 15/9 this year (so a couple of weeks ago).

I had pretty much zero pain - whether that was the pain killers or just the way it is, I don’t know.

I have plenty of aches and a bit of soreness which will go over time. My bruises have come out so a bit of pain on my leg where they took the vein from but nothing major.

Two weeks after the op I’m really starting to feel significantly better but it’s a slow process.

But any ‘real pain’? Not for me, fortunately.

Hope that helps.

[Bigscar]

My story is on here somewhere I had my op 1977 age 31.Think at that time op was in its infancy, that’s a long time ago. Can’t say I can remember to much pain and my vein was taken from top of my right leg. Discomfort I suppose but so happy to wake up from it. I suppose age can play a part in it I was a very fit 31 year old. You just have to bite the bullet it’s going to save your life and extend it. I am now 77 doing stuff I thought I would never do and live to an age I feared would not be possible.

Lastly I am now a Guinness World Record Holder as The Longest Surviving Triple By Pass Patient (Male) although I don’t think any female exceeds that.

So possibilities endless you bear the pain because you make a great gain.

[Butcherboy]

I had the same anxiety Stevie. I’m week eight post triple bypass. I have to say, the immediate post op recovery, I had no pain. Around day three, I felt sore, but not to a level that was unmanageable. I kept up to date with my pain meds and by week four, I was off all pain meds.

I will say, sleep has been my biggest challenge. This week has been the first week where I’ve had a decent night sleep which has turbo’ed my recovery. I feel so much better now I’ve been sleeping longer.

But, I kind of prepared for this. So I set our lounge up when I woke in the night. I wouldn’t try a beat myself back to sleep. With some snacks set up. I made a cuppa and watched some TV. My wife would wake me up in the morning.

The other thing, I have an electric adjustable bed, which was a godsend. If you don’t have this, invest in one of these pillows. I bought one of these around ten years ago when I was knocked off my bike and cracked three ribs (which was 100X worse than a sternotomy.)

But, do everything they say. Keep drinking when you’re recovering, to keep flushing your system. You’ll be fine.

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Me

[Pastime]

Hi firstly if he didn’t have the op he probably wouldn’t be here now .I had triple bypass when I was 58 ,23 yrs ago, not much pain on waking as you arefull of drugs . Net day spent ICU yes chest was painful especially on laying down. On the 3rd day was made to get up and go to buffet,help yourself breakfast. Was amazed I did it easily. Few weeks little pains in chest,nothing unbearable,I had more trouble with the leg they took graft fromthan heart. But it’s a must be done op and still going strong at 82. Good luck

[Andytriumph63]

Hi i will say straight after the op no real issues but they give you morphine whilst in ICU. In HCU you will most likely have a morphine pump for a day or 2. Why suffer pain if not needed. I took everything given and i have to say i still had anoying levels of pain. Took oramorph at home also. My best bit of advice is get it done and take what you need we are all different. Worst pain was coughing that you must do to remove phlegm after being laid flat for 2 to 3 days.Just follow advice and it is bearable.

[Puscifer23]

Hi Stevie335

The sternum will obviously be painful for a few weeks- decreasing over time. The nursing staff will help you sit up and move for the first couple days and you’ll be on your feet again. Morphine is available in ICU at your fingertips so please use it as you cannot overdose. To be honest I’ve had more discomfort from my leg where the vein was harvested- to give you an idea I’m 5 weeks post surgery and have taken paracetamol once since being home. The benefits of the op surely outweigh a few weeks of pain but we’re all different of course. Good luck with the op.

[Sewingpumpkin]

I found the pain manageable after my 2xCABG once the initial stuff they give you during the op wore off. Coughing was a bit of an issue, which you do a lot afterwards as was getting up off the bed. You kinda learn how to move. I got by on just paracetamol after the initial morphine shots. If you get constipated fight for those laxatives. If they are ignoring you get your visitors fo fight your corner. (Two hospitals ignored my cries for help in that department 😡).

All the best

[Dj1962]

Hi Stevie335...I can honestly say I had no pain after the operation, a little discomfort when I got home, and considering I'm the biggest crybaby normally..it couldn't have been that bad..

Good luck 👍

[Handel]

Hi Stevie. When you come round, pain is managed well. Hubby was only taking paracetamol to manage residual pain through his recovery but after 2 weeks, came off those.

Everybody is different though. Good luck and you'll feel like a new person after the op!

Love and hugs. Jan xx

[Survivor1952]

I had no real pain even to the extent that I was able to use my arms to help me sit up in bed within 48 hours of my operation much to the consternation of my surgeon.

What I did have issues with for quite some while afterwards was sneezing and coughing, both painful but the sneeze was worse. It took quite a while for it to improve.

I didn’t bother with the laxatives and quite happy with the way that went but we are all different.

As for painkillers I had one day in hospital on codeine and then just Paracetamol. Don’t be afraid of sticking with the paracetamol as you’ll need them for longer than you expect. I stuck with a dose before going to bed for some time as it helped me sleep comfortably.

[Stevie335]

Thank you everyone, Feeling much better about it all. Looking forward to paying all this help and advice forward. It really is remarkable the help and advice ive received. Theres hope for humanity yet, bless you all xx

[Butcherboy in reply to Stevie335]

Good luck Stevie. You’ll be in good hands. And good luck brother.

[Thanksnhs]

Hi and good luck with the op. I had my transplant in 2020 when I was 61 and I can honestly say when I woke up in ICU I was not in any pain at all, I assume there was morphine coming from somewhere. The physio showed me the best way to get out of bed i.e bring bed up at the back , sit and swing legs round to prevent any straining, when back in H.D they did administrator pain relief and slowly brought the dose down so by the time I got out two weeks later I was given co codamol to take if needed. I sleep on my side and my lovely nurses helped with that as well. I didn't need anything to hold my sternum. My consultant said pain relief does aid recovery as we have to keep mobile and if in pain it makes it more difficult. The whole team worked together to make sure I was comfortable at all times and as pain free as possible. Char

[XmasEve24]

Hello good to hear lots of people had no pain or very little. Just so you hear from the other side. Mine was excruciating. I even came home with 5 days supply of morphine as I can’t take codeine. Nevertheless my rolled up towel (teddy) offered great relief and support. Following all the post surgery advice I hit all the milestones at 6 weeks and 12 weeks and made an excellent recovery. Just like a birth experience I think everyone’s heart surgery is different and you don’t have much choice but to go with it. Good luck 😊

[SlowRoadie]

Hi - I had a dual heart bypass in Aug23 so am still in recovery / rehab stage. I think as many have stated that the pain is different for everybody. Personally my pain was very well managed by the surgery/ICU/HDU teams and whilst there are moments of extreme discomfort it is all manageable. The greatest weapon you have at your disposal is your mind and this alongside the right pain meds makes all of the difference. I tried to avoid using the really strong pain meds after day 3 (Tremadol type) as it didnt really agree with me. Paracetamol regularly taken should do the trick, but dont stop taking them too early, and do steadily start to take less in probably week 2 or 3. Recovery takes time but it is worth it and take things steady.

[LadyZ13]

Hi Stevie

I'm 16 weeks post OHS - not a bypass but a atrial septal defect repair. Plus side - no materials grafted from other parts of my body. Down side - heart opened up and tissues from it taken to repair the hole! I'm still a little sore from time to time but not enough to take pain killers or stop me doing anything.

I talk a lot about pain management on my blog - the link is in my biog. If it's reassuring, I wrote a post ('I'm back baby!!') the evening of my afternoon op from ICU and then three further posts from hospital which detail everything I experienced, all of it good and told with lots of humour. The good thing is that you have control of your own pain relief and are encouraged to use it! My comment would be to get advice if it doesn't seem to be 'working' as expected.

Keep us all posted. You'll be absolutely fine. And everyone here will have brilliant advice. It's so reassuring when someone has been through what you are about to experience.

Sending all the best!

Zoë

[gorillaqueen]

Hi Stevie everyone is different and cope with pain differently, personally I would say yes it’s painful but not unbearable as shadowgomez says keep on top of your pain meds and listen to the advice of your medical team. It is a long recovery but you will get there. I had a triple bypass last November and feel so much better now than I did prior to my surgery. Good luck and please update us when your able 😊X.

[CeCe196]

Hi, I had a double by pass 4 years ago. Overall, I wasn't in much pain after. I was taking paracetamol too and didn't feel I needed anything stronger. I found it harder trying not to do things I wasn't supposed to do because I didn't feel too uncomfortable. The worst bit was coming home. I really missed the hospital bed because I did find it painful to try to lie down and get back up. I didn't notice that while I was in hospital because I let the bed do the work. So, I would recommend to get something in place for when you go home.

I was lucky. I was staying at my parents who had an electric recliner chair. I would sleep in that for a good few hours. It was heaven to sit down and let the chair recline and sit you back up again.

I hope all goes well.

[Truffles2]

After having a triple in feb I had 1 bad night, the first night out of ITU when they didn’t give me any pain relief. But the rest of my time in the hospital my chest and leg just felt numb, they were giving me regular opiates. In fact my husband said I was totally out of it for the 6 days I was there. The hospital sent me home with paracetamol and codeine. The codeine made me groggy so after a couple of days I just took the paracetamol. I did take it regularly every 6 hours for several weeks and this did control the pain and made it possible to do my walking. It’s really important to keep on top of the pain. To be honest I think it was a lot less painful than I had imagined

[deano999]

Hi Stevie, my personal experience was very little pain after my op but just a bit of discomfort with breathing (feeling like you can't breath very deeply but that will disappear after the breathing exercises you will no doubt be given) . I would say stick with the prescribed medication and whatever painkiller is recommended. You may start to feel more normal a few months after your op but remember that everyone is different and will have a different recovery. Regards, Steve.

[MumaLines]

Hi Stevie, In 3 weeks time, it will be my 8th anniversary of my Quadruple bypass which saved my life and I am here to write this comment for you. The Heart Teams are fantastic and they will start your pain relief before you wake up. They continue to monitor your pain, but you don't really feel pain as they control it. They will have you out the bed the next day and into a chair. You will have twinges as you start to move about as it is major heart surgery and your sternum will take time to recover. They told me it's like being hit by a bus, and you will learn to listen to your body. Listen to them, they look after people like us everyday. Please don't worry about the pain, when I woke up I did beam in on pain as they controlled my pain relief. BUT please do listen to the other guy's about taking the laxative when they offer it. I was an idiot and said I was OK. I learnt the hard way, the operation affects your whole body. When I went home I got seriously bunged up, its like cement and ended up with the Basildon Heart Team on the phone as an emergency as they said you can't push or strain after a bypass so I had to follow their instructions which was awful. When you start to recover you will notice how light your chest feels, how easy it is to go up the stairs without getting out of breathe. You might get a ringing noise in your head but that will go away after a while. Go to the group Rehabilitation as it is the best medicine for you and you get to talk to the professionals and other hearties that really know how you feel.

I hope this helps you xx

[Hidden]

Hi

I had double CABG 4 weeks ago

I’m more like Devonian 186 next to no pain in hospital I was discharged on 5th day

Since I’ve been home it’s a different matter constant pain and discomfort

Islands of calm and peace one day and then back to more pain It’s never the same place

I’ve had leaking wound on the leg and the chest and the chest wound is infected

I had to sleep in an armchair again last night as I could not get comfy any other way

Ivw been taking paracetamol but doc has suggested cocodomol

I concerned because I cannot do the various walks etc I need to do

This is my present experience I’m 73

I was very active still working and my problem was discovered after some chest discomfort

Would I have it done if I had known I’ll wait to answer that in 6 months