Update on Stents v Bypass

[Bubbler99]

Hi all

After much thought I’m going with a bypass and mechanical valve and booked in for 4th November.

My logic was stents seemed to be patch when I would need a bypass in the future and a new valve. So thought I’m young enough to go under the knife now and have it all over and done with once and for all.

I just hope the good recoveries I’ve read about also apply to me and the wafarin is not a big deal.

[DWizza]

I think you’ve made a wise choice. I recently had quadruple bypass. The surgeons explained the benefits, not just in my case but in general over stents with regards to likelihood of future need for further procedures after stents. Im sure you’ll recover well like the vast majority of us 👊👊👊. I was back riding my motorcycle after 2 months and working round our farm. No denying the first month was a challenge but sticking to the recovery protocols will give daily progress. Wishing you all the best and a speedy , comfortable recovery.

[Ageingfast]

Sensible logic. Not least of all, to get it done and finished. Us older patients take longer to mend, I was three months, but two months could see you fully recovered. You need proper recovery for the first six weeks. Either some kind person(s) to look after you or you could book in to a care home.

Waiting to go for the op is the worst bit, so you are on a winner as your date is near.

You will be amazed by how good cardiology care can be. They really are a class above most other departments.

Sooty

[Chappychap]

"I’m young enough to go under the knife now and have it all over and done with once and for all."

Hello Bubbler, you might want to double check that conclusion. I've had bypass surgery, and even though I hope it will outlast me, the statistics show that it's a coin flip.

The average bypass lasts about 15 to 20 years before another intervention is required. There's also a pretty wide spread around that average, quite a few fail within twelve months, but some lucky recipients (including a chap on this forum) get well over thirty years from a bypass graft.

No matter what your decision I wish you good luck and a speedy recovery!

[Bubbler99 in reply to Chappychap]

Let’s hope I’m closer to 30 years not 13 months !

[Mitchum]

My brother-in-law had a quadruple by-pass 40 years ago. He's now 85 and fit as a flea!

[Mitchum]

Also, don't worry too much about warfarin, it's no big deal once you get the hang of it.

[Yisselda]

It can’t have been easy but I hope you feel that you’ve had all the right information to help you make an informed decision. It’s good that you don’t have long to wait. Best of luck!

[KaduFlyer]

If it's your choice then its the right one - I'm now 6 weeks post op at CABGx3 so a bit early for me to see / feel any real benefits but recovery is good as long as you're sensible with diet and you exercise as recommended - I didn't have the option of stents as my 3 blockages were in awkward places / on bends so I didn't have to weigh up the options but as long as you're happy with you're decision making then that's the best you can do - all the very best for the 4th and wishing you a speedy recovery.