My dad had a triple heart bypass 3 weeks ago, all went well apart from starting with a chest infection whilst in ICU. He was given IV antibiotics then oral antibiotics and was discharged after 5 days. He’s been home just over 2 weeks now and has been to the GP and his lungs are clear.
His chest is sore but the pain is manageable with paracetamol. His main complaint is that he feels ‘fluey’ all the time, like the weakness and tiredness you feel in the run up to getting a cold. I’m assuming this is normal? How long before he sees a noticeable improvement?
He is also experiencing some upper back/shoulder pain, whether from the surgery or chest infection I’m not sure. Is this also a common occurrence? Any tips to try and relieve this?
From the outside looking in it seems that he’s doing really well given that it has only been 3 weeks but I know he’s struggling with the mental side of things. He’s always been active until 12 to 18 months ago when the symptoms of his heart disease became more prevalent. He has been on the waiting list for surgery since May and the idea of being able to return to some sort of normality post-surgery has kept him going, logically he knows that recovery will take time but he’s still finding it frustrating.
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Green12345678
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It can be quite common to get a chest infection after I had my Triple Bypass I got one and was put on medication but he did the right thing making sure it has cleared up
As for all the aches and pains he is experiencing he has had his sternum opened and it can take at least 3 months for that to settle down and have less pain we are all different but it will feel sore for a while and when they do the op they have our arms pulled back towards our heads and after so many of us complain about shoulder and arm pain and been in that position up to 6 hours or so there is no wonder we do when you think about it
Painkillers and giving your body time to heal is all we can do but it does get better and eventually he will get invited to Rehab where he will benefit so much by attending so tell him to take the offer when he gets it
Aso keep doing his breathing exercises are important to strengthen his lungs a little walk but to listen to his body and rest when he needs to trying to run before you can walk at this stage would not be a wise thing to do but to keep moving about will help
So many of us suffer with the mental side more than the physical side after having this op so that is normal but keep an eye on him and if he does not improve maybe talk with the Doctor again but at the stage he is at it is normal
Did he get telephone numbers for the Rehab Nurses at the Hospital he was in if so if he has any concerns frustrations encourage him to give them a ring and talk to them
It can feel frustrating and all you can do is remind him what he just has had done and that he needs to go through recovery so he can get to doing the things he did before
Hi there, your dad needs to try and take it a day at a time and not have too high expectations. We all recover differently over longer and shorter periods of time.
I am 10 weeks from a triple bypass and pretty much back to normal. However at 3 weeks I was thinking this is never going to end, My wounds took about 6 weeks to heal, still get a few chest and leg twinges but 6 weeks seemed to be the magic time for me, I had what I called a sternum stoop, as it eased the chest wound to round the shoulders, that caused my back and shoulders discomfort, so he must try to stand up straight.
Walking has helped me recover tremendously and helped my posture. I’m now walking 40k per week and I’m also starting my cardio rehab this week.
The important thing is not to worry it will take as long as it does
I was 70+ when I had a heart op and, at this age, I took quite a time to recover. About three months. Of course my left arm was sensitive from the being pulled around during op. But the prescribed painkillers kept that well under control. I slept sitting up, with five pillows forming a lovely back rest then a teddy (rolled up towel) under my knees to help preventing a slide down the bed. I also had a teddy to hug against my chest if I started to cough.
I did notice slight improvements every day or two. So I concentrated on how wonderful it was to be recovering.
I walked every day. A few yards to start with, building up to a mile after three months. I would chat as I walked, ideally to someone accompanying my walk but usually chatted to myself.
I did have two relapses when, in my case, I had gout flares.
But oh boy, the elation after three months when I felt fully recovered. I had been given my life back.
During recovery I read a whole book. I don’t read books very often. I sowed veg seeds in to trays on my bench or on a window cill.
I generally slept well, but if not sleeping then I used a tinnitus relaxer to get me off to sleep. Magic. I also had a light on to sleep.
I had a new heart valve but it is a heart op, just like Dads.
Your experience almost mirrors mine. I had a LAD bypass and mechanical mitral valve surgery 20 years ago. I remember waking up with eleven lines going in and out of my various body parts and a bit of pain but, much less than I expected. The first two weeks were almost exhilarating, knowing I would feel better in a few short months, almost like you, as if I had my life back, which I and my family celebrated every day and still do! Of course, movement was restricted but I accepted that. I also had gout which was more painful than the surgery!!
I, unlike you as I suspect your valve is organic need to take warfarin and the only issue it causes is my inability to use anti-inflammatory pain killers for my arthritis and joint problems, but that does not prevent me from weight training, pain or no pain!
I try to embrace every day I have!
And to Green, please tell your Dad to be patient. Not easy I know but if he wants to PM me I am always available as a "crutch"!🙂
Yes the gout was a huge issue. Trying not to use my arms whilst the OHS recovers then not able to use legs due to gout was difficult. Luckily my GP gives me tablets to store at home. I decided against regular anti gout tablets as gout only pops up every two or three years.
My surgery was observed by a small group of trainees. They almost bounced in to my room with excitement about what the surgeons achieved. They confirmed I was at deaths door, so when I say I got my life back, it has extra meaning.
Yes I have an organic valve but not one that allows a later TAVi. Nowadays the valves allow for that.
My aortic valve was failing which is generally easier to mend whereas mitral valves are often more difficult, so well done Mitchum. My local hospital have reorganised the cardiac department and the annual check up is fabulous. Results in minutes and no need to see the consultant. Hope all cardiac departments can follow that lead.
My op was during covid so no visitors . This works really well and I think visitors should be excluded nowadays. It also took a lot of pressure off my wife.
Hope a few newcomers read our comments and take comfort from those of us who had a good experience.
I had my triple bypass in 1977 at the age of 31 I am now 77.5 years old and Guinness World Record Holder as the Longest Surviving Triple Bypass Patient. You don’t say how old your father is but it is a traumatic time I had 2 very young daughters and wife to worry about. I was very fit to, never had a HA but got mild angina at extremes of exercising.Caught very early.Your Dad although an intrepid thing to do must make sure he works towards getting fit and mobile.He will have events that maybe worry him but he must trust the surgery and proceed.
I now play walking football twice a week which is quite tough with players 20 years younger than me, and ride bikes to maintain fitness.My story is on here somewhere, I am on many drugs but longevity as you can see is very possible.
Also go onto the Guinness World Record Website and ask The Longest Surviving Triple Bypass Patient and UTube to.See the possibilities.
Sounds about normal at this stage, and in the first few weeks you are tired a lot.
Improvement comes quickly if you get outside and walk which can be uncomfortable if you had a vein from your leg. I started with two walks a day of a comfortable length and built that up. I was soon doing 5 miles a day.
Also post week 6 really important to do the rehab exercises you will get from the nurses as they really help to move things on.
So pleased to hear your dad is doing well. He's had a major op and it will take time. I found support from family and friends was crucial with my rehab and it sounds as though he is getting that support from yourself. I also had a chest infection which didn't help matters as I am sure your dad knows. We are all different and the mental side has affected me more than I thought it ever could. Twelve months has passed with me and I have lost some confidence in certain situations, but time is a healer and it will get easier for him. Keep giving him that support and encouragement, it works wonders !!
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