For people who are about to have a bypass..

[Pollypuss]

Where my health is concerned I was terrified of surgery . A neurotic coward . However I had such incredible people at Southampton Hospital who helped and guided me through the whole procedure I can honestly say I was not afraid . The staff only mentioned what it was going to be like after the op . Every member of staff I saw was always upbeat and encouraging and this helped enormously. I had visions of myself being a wreck just before theatre but the staff was so calm and professional that I too felt calm . I can’t say a triple bypass is without pain and mental anguish for some time after the op . The only thing I can say is that thanks to the staff who were there for me it wasn’t nearly as bad as what my mind - which had gone into overdrive - had envisaged . Four years on and ok

[Blackcatsooty]

thank you for posting good news.

Heart surgery is amazing. I had open heart valve replacement and it was just like you. Amazing, safe and successful.

The staff were fabulous. The op gave me my life back.

I guess many of us just get back to enjoying life.

But if a few of us say the experience is excellent maybe we can correct the balance.

Sooty

[Bigscar]

Obviously not as old as you when I had my op in 1977 but now nearly 78 and nearly 47 years since my op, am now GWR holder as the longest surviving triple heart bypass patient in the World.

Doing things like playing a tough session of Walking Football I never thought would be possible when I had my op and still riding my bikes in tough conditions.My story on here somewhere first time I went in for the op it was cancelled after having my pre med my late great brother picked me up.I thought I had the op and was a bit ga ga.My blood a very rare B Rhesus Negative (never realised I had it ), was sent to Scotland in a road accident.Had my op a month or so later and was a great success so have been able to see my 2 daughters and my grandchildren reach their teens.Thanks to St.George’s formerly at Hyde Park Corner now at Tooting and great surgeon the Late Mr Parker.

[stevetheadi]

Thanks for posting.

I'm waiting to have an elective triple bypass and, like everyone else, I'm apprehensive. Especially about how I'll manage the inevitable pain and discomfort post op. Any tips?

[Nelson71 in reply to stevetheadi]

I had 3xCABG just before Xmas and was discharged on Xmas day. Ask for a sedative the night before, I slept like a baby. The day of the operation I was wheeled down to the theatre. I was in there literally two mins and they put me out. Next thing I remember was waking in ICU and the nurse telling me to cough hard twice. I did and the breathing tube was out in two seconds. In ICU you’re drugged up so you feel nothing. You’re literally watched every second for 24 hours hours. I was in there 48 as my potassium level dropped. They soon got that right. You’re out of bed asap on your feet then you’re back on the recovery ward. All the time you’re closely monitored. The worst thing to deal with is sleeping nicely and they wake you about 4.00am to check your BP and oxygen levels. The nurses kept asking if I needed pain management but apart from the odd paracetamol there was no need. It was uncomfortable sleeping on your back but propped up it’s not too bad. You sleep anyway as the surgery is pretty tiring. They get you up out of bed as much as possible and in one or two days you’re walking down the corridor. Once you’re ok with that you’re taking walks by yourself about 200m. Do this 4-5 times a da. You’ll have breathing/coughing exercise to do. Try this at least every hour/90 mins. It helps to clear your lungs. Recovery is not a linear process so remember some days you’ll feel fine and horrible the next but generally it’s an upward trajectory. Personally I kept visitors away apart from my wife as I found visiting exhausting. Take a tablet in to watch stuff.

On returning home get 3/4 pillows to prop you up in bed. You do get stiff in bed lying in one position on your back but I found getting up and walking about for two minutes sorted me out. After about 5-6 weeks I could sleep on my side. I found a shower chair was extremely useful as I was worried about slipping in the shower and you can direct the nozzle away from your wounds. Just use water on a clean flannel to pat your wound to keep it clean. I was worried about them taking out your catheter and chest drains. Apart from having to take a deep breath the chest drains were fine and with the catheter nothing at all. The IV in your neck feels weird when it comes out but doesn’t hurt. I’m now +4 months and feel marvelous, walking 4.5 km every day, following the cardiac rehab program 3 times a week. I’m officially signed off the surgery team and start back at the gym next week. The NHS are even paying for a PT for six months. It may take some time to get your meds correct as everyone is different so they change them to suit your individual case. Your heart has never been touched before by a human hand or stitched up so it may get angry in the first month. I had AFib where my HR went up to 150 and another time my BP was up to 170/120. These were soon bought under control and although worrying blips like this are normal. Hope this helps but really the anticipation is the worst and once you have the op you cope. It’s the best thing they’re doing for you, trust the professionals and you’ll soon be fighting fit

[Pollypuss in reply to Nelson71]

Yes I play tennis twice a week and make sure I walk every day

Thanks for your reply and well done

[stevetheadi]

Hi Nelson71.

Thank you so much for taking the time to tell me about your experience.

There are some excellent tips and it's also very reassuring! It gives me considerable comfort to know that what I'm about to go through is challenging but manageable.

I'm really pleased to hear how well you are feeling just 4 or so months after the op.

I hope my bypass goes as well as yours has.

Thanks again.