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[Jem64]

Just got my letter from the Royal to go for my pre op for bypass surgery....I don't want it and so stressed about telling them....🙃

[Fanfab1]

hi if you don’t want it, it’s probably best you tell them asap because then someone who does want it may be seen sooner than they expected.

Could you write or email? Save face to face / telephone call?

The sooner you let them know the sooner NHS resource is not wasted but be redirected.

But this is all assuming you have fully thought through your decision after receiving appropriate advise from medical people why they think you need it and have weighed up the pros and cons of having surgery vs those of not having surgery?

Is there a particular reason you don’t want surgery?

Good luck with your decision but the sooner you tell them the sooner someone else can get the news they have been waiting for.

Also you’ll feel less stressed once you let then know. I’m sure they won’t judge you.

👍

[Jem64 in reply to Fanfab1]

Thank you...As an ex Nurse I'm well aware of the necessity to free up a bed.I've made major changes and after lots of research and family discussions since last August I know it's the best decision for me..

[Fanfab1 in reply to Jem64]

That’s great to hear surgery is a big step.

You could use the confidence you have in the decision you’ve made to overcome the stress your feeling about telling them. I’m sure they’ll understand.

Good luck with it all.

👍

[Jem64 in reply to Fanfab1]

Thank you...

[Turnipgirl in reply to Fanfab1]

Worst thing they can do is get cross!

Once when I rung to cancel an appointment they were rude to me and wanted to know why I was cancelling which I thought was going too far but I feel I was right to ring and cancel and then the appointment could be given to someone else!

If I hadn't turned up and not said anything that would have been wrong and rightly so!

It's good manners to ring and cancel even if it is a lie!

[Greencurry]

Hi

I had my triple bypass 2 months ago, I have to admit I was apprehensive, but there was no alternative. The positive outcome from my surgery has already seen a massive improvement in the quality of my life.

The actual pre-op appointment for me was about 3 hours and covered blood tests, Chest X Ray, chatting to everyone from the Surgeon, anaesthetist, to pharmacists. It was a worthwhile and helped me understand what was going to happen.

My admission was on the following Sunday and again the professionalism of the team really put me at ease. Everybody was superb.

I went to theatre at 8am Monday morning and after some final paperwork, I was on the operating table chatting to the anesthetist, when I literally closed my eyes for a moment.

The next thing i knew was waking waking up in the ICU, with the team telling me that the operation was a success. It's a strange experience and you seem to very tired and have a lot of drips and drains going into you, but it is not so terrible. You can cope. After about 24 hours I moved to the ward and soon settled to continue my recovery.

You won't feel good for a few days, maybe a week or two but you can control the discomfort with pain killers that are readily provided. The medical team were always so positive it is infectious and always available.

I can only reiterate that the benefits of bypass surgery will change your life for the better, please don't be afraid to talk to the support nurses or your surgeon when you can. I thought long and hard about my surgery and I was worried, However, I was so pleasantly surprised at how smooth the operation went. Sometimes my recovery was difficult, but as every day goes by you get closer to getting your old life back.

I really hope that you decide not to back out.

Good luck and best wishes.

Greencurry

[Wooodsie]

As a nurse and having made your decision last August, I fail to see how you haven't communicated your decision to the hospital. They have tied up their resources to accommodate you. I'm sorry to have to say, I feel your position is untenable. It might be difficult for you to tell the hospital, are you planning on just not turning up? 🤷‍♂️. Please think about the person who could take your place, that is the kindest thing you could do.

[Turnipgirl in reply to Wooodsie]

It's better to let them know if you can't make an appointment isn't it and then they can give it to someone else rather than not turn up and not say anything.

[devonian186]

As far as I can see this post has been made in isolation as I can't see any context.

We are left in the dark as to why you need the operation, why you are rejecting it and what the alternatives are.

I went into Hospital after an assessment following a Heart attack. I asked if there was a alternative to the bypass surgery and the consultant said "Yes, but they are really stupid ones."

What you do is up to you, but it is impossible to advise on such little information. Presumably, unlike me, you do have sensible alternatives as they don't offer bypasses lightly?

[Stentsandrun in reply to devonian186]

As you say no information to make any informed comments but reading through the OP's replies to other posts I think they are relying on "natural" remedies like Cayenne pepper, which is a little worrying as they are an ex Nurse??

[devonian186 in reply to Stentsandrun]

Looking back through the posts I note he is 64 and 5 months ago was told he had a 95% blockage, had experienced two strokes and that stents weren't possible and that a triple bypass had been offered.

Its his life and neither of us can know the full circumstances, but there is obviously very much more than meets the eye here, as medically he has been offered a lifeline and it is difficult to see how medication or a change of diet can rectify the situation.

I am sure that any of us would be happy to answer any questions he may have if he is concerned about the operation, which would be entirely understandable.

Good luck to him, whatever his final decision.

[MountainGoat52]

Well the choice is yours and only you can make that decision. It sounds like you have already made up your mind.

I was offered bypass surgery or further stents and went with the surgery as it offered the best outcome in the long term. Six years post op I'm now aged 72 and have just returned from a short visit to Scotland climbing the hills, one of which was a Munro. The views at 3,350 feet above sea level were breathtaking. I thank my surgeon for such opportunities.

I do wonder how I would have been with just stents. Is that an option for you? I would say that having the surgery has given me the confidence to get out there and do the physical activities. I intend to carry on as long as I am able... it looks like other bits of my body may be the determining factor as to when that is.

With my very best wishes for the future.

Gerald

[Carercmb]

I was a nurse but always considered seriously the opinions of the experts.

You don’t want this operation but the experts have decided you need it.

You have a say in your health programme and decided it’s not for you.

Talk to your GP and explain this if you haven’t already done so.

If you change your mind at a later date you might have to wait a long time before getting another chance.

Good luck and best wishes going forward

[Eric_]

If this procedure will save your life, its a simple decision. I went ahead and closed my eyes 14 yrs ago knowing I wanted to chance to live longer. It was scary but had to be done, as I had waited 6 months to get the appointment and I had been in icu most of the time quite frankly I had liitle life left. The CABG gave me 14 yrs of life so far which has been beautiful. Go for it and dont overthink it. Good luck, 🙂

[Harveyone]

Hi Jem,yes quite a big decision but the pros far outweigh the cons.Feal the fear and do it anyway.Lots of Love.

[CalvinHb]

I'm 10 months on from triple bypass and it has totally transformed my quality of life in addition to increasing life expectancy significantly.

The who procedure was so much easier than I could have ever imagined.

You haven't given any context, but I'm assuming you wouldn't have been offered it if you didn't need it.

It's a big decision to make, have you thought about asking for more time to think about it?

[maggie80]

Hi, don't get all uptight it won't do you any good. You'll be fine. Try and switch off. I had a quadruple and a heart valve replacement at the same time. Nov'21. I'm still here to tell the tale. I still go out on my e bike weather permitting. I just switched off even the morning I was going for my op. Keep smiling😊

[Davtt]

Hi Jem.

I had a bypass last December, and I felt the same trepidation that I am sure you are feeling. I really feel that it was a life saver - literally - in my case, as I am an active soul and could barely walk upstairs before the op. 3 months after the op I started to get back to my normal self (whatever that is) and now, I am now pretty much back to being able to do most of the things I love.

I would have another think about having the op, but all of us are different. As mentioned before by others though, if you are not going to go ahead, please give someone else the opportunity and lifeline.

I wish you all the best, whatever you decide to do.

[Pottsgene]

Hi Gem

Sorry to hear about requiring bypass surgery but please may I give you some reassurance and support. Although I have Cardiac Issues myself I am also a Cardiac Nurse and Bypass surgery is extremely successful and prolongs life significantly. You’re in and out of hospital in 1 week. It all sounds very brutal the thought but Bypass surgery is more common than you can ever imagine and people go on to live great lives with all new pipe work and clean pipes at that. once completed 6 weeks recovery of Do,s & Donts that are just common sense things your new positive life begins again 😉Good luck with your decision Gem but you need to do what you feel is best for you. Xx

[Jem64 in reply to Pottsgene]

Thank you for your reply..

[El-Tel1990]

I had mine CABG x 4, three years ago. Best thing ever ! Go for it !

[momander]

Hi Jem,I had my first heart attack in 2021 and had a stent ..then in 2022 another heart attack and another stent. In 2023 I suffered another heart attack due to the stents and arteries collapsing. The options were discussed and I actually asked if I could have a bypass!! I knew it was the best option for me as I was very poorly and was having continuous angina and breathing difficulties. I had the operation and was discharged 5 days later. This was in Jan 2023. I have never felt better and I know without a doubt the operation saved my life. You dont mention why it is felt you need a bypass or why you don't want one? I think if you are absolutely certain you don't want one then the best thing to do would be to let the hospital know as soon as possible. As a nurse you will know only too well how long waiting lists are and who is a priority. I met a beautiful soul who had been a nurse manager at the hospital I was in. She was very very ill indeed and had been told she had been put on the waiting list as an emergency!! Some weeks later after my operation I met her in a garden centre and she asked what had happened to me. I told her I had had a double cabg and she said " that's wonderful, I'm so pleased for you" !! She was STILL waiting to be seen!! I felt terrible!! No one here has the right to tell you what to do. All I can say to you is I was petrified at the thought of having the operation, but it has saved my life and was most definitely the best decision I ever made. My situation is genetic on my mother's side so nothing to do with lifestyle. No one wants an operation on their heart!! It's the organ in your body that keeps you alive!! I really hope that you find peace whatever decision you make. All I can say is I was so surprised at how quickly you heal and get better after such a major operation. If you still feel you just cannot go ahead with this then let the hospital know as soon as you can. I had my operation early due to a cancellation and I am so grateful for that. If it would help, I would be more than happy to talk with you!? I am a private counsellor. Sometimes talking to a stranger helps. Take care and I wish you everything you wish for yourself.

[Jem64 in reply to momander]

Many thanks for your kind response.

[Wenlock]

I know how you feel, been there, got the tee shirt. Stay calm. Pre med is Brilliant, very kind, experienced specialists. You will have a Full M.O.T. They evaluate your health to see if Your body is Strong enough for the specific medical procedure. If not you may be reffered..elsewhere, or may not be deemed well enough for surgery. I was unable to go to Thatre for a Bladder procedure and was deferred to Cardio...Got Bladder sorted some months later after Cardio treatment. Don't worry, they always have a plan B.....Good Luck, Wenlock.