Hi all, this is my first post and I’m super , super, anxious about my triple bypass surgery, ive been read the community posts for a while and some of my questions have been answered, I’ve had my pre-admission tests, X-ray, echo, ecg, bloods and mrsa swabs 2 nd April, given my pack of info and pre-op soap and told I will have my op within 3 months. They said I would get between 4-7 days notice as they were trying to fit me in. I have a complete rca blockage with a few small capillaries feeding that side and severe stenosis to the lad and cx arteries. I’m 57 yrs old and female, three grown up children, I can’t put any of this on them , I don’t want them to know how utterly helpless and scared I feel.
It’s getting closer and my anxiety is growing. I still have loads of questions which maybe someone could help me with before I try and contact the hospital. I didn’t see my surgeon and spoke to a hard to understand gentleman who was uninterested in the questions I had asked. I literally spoke to him for under 10 minutes with a further 30 minutes with a cardiac nurse who only took more physical health questions. I felt very rushed and at no point was my mental state discussed am I just a number! My surgery is planned to happen in Southampton general.
my first question is did anyone get a choice of where they take the grafts from? I’ve read the radial artery is a possible location and can they use both arms? Has anyone had both arms used? Does anyone know why they don’t use both mammary arteries? I have circulation issues already in my legs and didn’t want to exasperate those problems.
is the pain relief sufficient? Whilst in hospital and when you leave?
I have very low pain threshold and have bouts of low mood over the years and I’m worried I just won’t cope with the weeks of recovery or even getting to the hospital for the op in the first place.
I know I should be grateful the fact I’m not waiting longer and I’ve not had a heart attack already, But I only went to the drs in November with a bit of chest pain if I walked for miles… thought it was ingestion… it’s been a bit of a shock to be honest
Hoping for some answers and maybe some reassurance
Diane
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Di1967
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Hi Dianne,You must be in shock having found out so much in such a short time span!
You might find some reassurance by talking to the amazing nurses at the BHF. I found them so easy to talk to and they are so knowledgeable and quick to respond.
Thank you for taking the time to send me a message, all the support I’ve received today with messages has been like a big hug from you all! A few words make a world of difference. I will definitely ring the support nurses on this sight with a slimmed down list of questions
Pain relief is good, I really can't remember much pain at all overall and I have a low pain threshold. Came off the major pain killers very quickly just on to paracetamol when needed.
Mine was a quad bypass and they took one from the leg and one from my arm. No issues circulation wise since.
Try and relax, these operations are now very common and they will have done hundreds.
Afternoon, thank you for sharing your experience, I’m humbled that you and others have taken the time to share, today has been easier , a journey I hope to share after as a success story. My father-in law had issues with his leg for many years after his bypass and we knew about it! Now I understand his complication and annoyance, he lived for another 22 yrs and passed with a different illness. Thanks for the reassurance on pain management, it’s probably now part of the procedure I’m not so focused on.
From my own experience and reading, surgeons have their own preference for where they take grafts from. These will be dictated by the individual circumstances and published graft performance data. The only certainty is that the left internal mammary artery is grafted to the LAD. The left side of the heart pumps blood to the body and so does all the hard work and the internal mammary artery graft is the gold standard. I was told by my surgeon that using both internal mammary arteries can impair healing of the chest wound which is why the RCA and Cx grafts were venous grafts in my case.
Personal experience was that pain relief was not an issue. I had a button to push for morphine if needed (I didn’t) for 24hrs post surgery and iv paracetamol then oral paracetamol. There was discomfort for sure and coughing isn’t without challenges and the first sneeze is unpleasant. I’m something of a wimp so was pleasantly surprised at how well I coped with the surgery and the followup. I appreciate that everyone is different but the experience was nowhere near as bad as I’d imagined and the benefits have been entirely worthwhile. Good luck!
Afternoon Steve , thank you for taking the time to share your experience with me. I didn’t realise surgeons had preferences but it makes sense, your reasurrance on the pain aspect has also helped. I’ve had a day to read replies and feel a little more optimistic, I don’t feel so scared… still scared but not alone and after months of reading other people’s stories and queries reassured my initial hospital appointment was just a blip. I will definitely share my experience to hopefully reassure others , your reply has eased my concerns so many thanks
Hi, your situation sounds so similar to my own - I was 57 when diagnosed. In September 22 I went to GP with minor chest discomfort after walking long distances. I was fast tracked through chest pain clinic to find I had total block on LAD and 90% on two others. The wait for triple bypass was horrible. I have 4 adult children and they were an amazing support to me- as they said - they are adults and wanted to help me ( for a change)... So I let them! I had bypass in Feb 23.... I was terrified, but someone on this forum really coached me through it and I am forever grateful.
They used my radial artery from my non dominant arm, for two graphs, the area is still numb now but not painful. Also one internal mamery artery to bypass the LAD. I was amazed at how little pain there was after surgery, only needed regular paracetamol for about a week afterwards.
I'm now 15 months post op. And feel better and fitter than probably the last 8 years... And my adult children are loving the fact they helped and supported me to get here.
I found the cardio nurse specialist in my area very helpful as I could ring and ask ' numpty ' questions too. A good friend of mine recently had a heart op in Southampton and was impressed with the medical team - he is a doctor himself, so not easily pleased. I'm sure you are in good hands.
Hi Anna, thank you for your message and your own experience, just reading these messages has lifted my mindset to feeling this is more achievable than I had realised. It’s just very easy to feel overwhelmed, I’ve always been the carer of friends and family so find it unnatural to be needing help and support myself. But I’m glad I posted yesterday, your message has made my day! So thank you 🤗
My heart went out to you when I read your post as I know they would be my thoughts and feelings were I in your position. I do so hope that you find the reassurance and comfort you need from the wonderfully caring and helpful people on here. My husband is awaiting a triple bypass operation and I have received such caring and comforting advice on here. I am still anxious but less so. My very best wishes go with you on your journey.
Thank you for your message, it really does help. I’ve read lots of previous posts and am in ore of how selfless , strong and caring members can be. The supporting messages have definitely grounded and reassured me that I can do this…. I hope your husband has a safe and successful recovery when he finally gets his op regards Diane
Hello Diane. I can't help with the surgery side of things but I know what it feels like to have a mildish heart attack. Very anxious about the whole thing. You wait until the outcome of your op and avoid going in under an emergency. You will feel much happier . Good luck.I would say from à strangers point of view to include your children. They are adults right?
Thanks Tom for your message, this has definitely been a grounding experience so far, I’ve stopped smoking 87 days smoke free , lost a stone and a half in 3 months, cut out 90% of sugars, carbs and no processed food. I now know how to keep healthier and eventually fitter when I can exercise than I’ve been in many years , so there has been a positive aspect to all of this. Hoping to look back soon and think the waiting was the worst part! Stay healthy Tom , thank you for taking the time to message 😁
Hello, Diane, I am in exactly the same position as you with the same hospital, expecting the call in a couple of weeks. Yes, I'm a little anxious but not desperately. Luckily for me I have some very local inspiration. A local dog walking friend of mine underwent similar surgery in the Brompton 7 weeks ago, he was discharged after 5 days, he took himself for a walk on day 5 to check he could master the stairs - unbeknownst to the medical staff! - took a couple of paracetamol the week after discharge on a couple of days but has largely been pain free. After a week at home moving around and making his own cups of tea he got out and about for a walk, short to start with but much longer distances and starts rehab next week. His only moan, having to sleep on his back. If he can do it, I'm sure we can. Take care.
Thanks for your message , be interesting to see who gets the op first? The community members at bhf have been awesome in support and knowledge. I’m a side sleeper so that’s going to change for a while. I do tend to catastrophes, then process information, before I can move on to the next issue. It really is humbling that you and others have taken the time to reassure me.
Do you mind me asking, How long were you told the wait would be? I was told within 3 months, also I assumed that after all the tests on the 2 nd April were completed it would be fairly soon
Hi Diane, I was actually told 2 weeks because I have another issue that needs urgent surgery (which has already been cancelled twice because anaesthetics in another hospital won't proceed until I've had the bypass) but that passed at the end of April. However, I was told the end of May earlier this week.Keep positive.
Hi Diane, I had an Nstemi heart attack and quadruple bypass aged 61 last July, totally out of the blue. It was a total shock to me , my family and all of my friends as I was considered the fit one 🤦🏼🤣. You will meet your surgeon and anaesthetist before your procedure again. In the meantime you could speak to the BHF nurses online on by phone , you could even contact your consultants secretary to get more information, they are usually very helpful.
I would also engage your adult children for support. My 3 were /are incredible , I know they would be have felt very disappointed if I hadn’t been upfront with them . They were a huge support to each other and my wife. They remain to be biggest cheerleaders through my recovery. Regarding pain , yes there is some pain as we rehab, but it is to be expected and it does settle down. I didn’t appreciate how the mental aspects would affect me , I struggled with loud noises , any sort of physical violence on tv , I think I had PTSD. The rehab is not linear , good and bad days , the meds can also have an impact . I’m in on my 3rd statin and feel much better , had my Bisoprolol reduced to lowest dose too. 9 months post surgery and I’m doing incredibly well. Have achieved 5&10k running goals working round my farm , back lifting machinery, feed bags , riding my motorcycle fully enjoying my rebirth ! Was 62 on 1st of May and enjoyed a full day out with old school rugby mates in London .
You sss as t you don’t know if you will cope with the weeks of recovery , of course you will, you have to ! You’ll get through it , quieten that chimp voice in your mind. You’ll not be the first to go through this procedure and not the last. The surgeons will regard you as “so young and fit “ at your age. That’s what they said to me. They are used to doing thousands of these operations and consider it “plumbing and sewing “ my surgeon said “ the hardest working person in the team is the anaesthetist “ .
I hope you are able to explain to your children how you feel and allow them to help you .
Wishing you a most successful procedure and comfortable rehab , here’s to the future. 🥂👊🏻❤️
Hello Diane, My husband is also waiting for the operation. We are concerned about how he will cope mentally and discussed our fears with the surgeon who replied that that the staff are experienced in supporting and helping people with the mental side of things too. I think we will certainly be using this forum for support after the operation as it seems you will always find someone who literally shares your experience.
Hi Diane. I had to have a bypass last December. It was not something I looked forward to, but the alternative was a life without the things I want.Let me reassure you that you will get plenty of pain relief after the operation. The staff in the cardiology department will look after you as they do for all their patients.
Personally, I was well looked after, and now am able to enjoy life again.
I hope you have a good journey and Southampton is a great hospital.
Hi Dianne, I had a double bypass. They took the left mamary artery and my right saphenous vein from my leg. My surgeon told me that my arm vein wasn't long enough to reach the blockage on my right coronary artery.
My leg blew up after I cam home and around the two week point my leg started weeping from the haematoma. This went on all night and took myself back to the hospital in the morning.
I still have nerve pain in my leg and my chest but it's easing a lot. I am out cycling now and that's 9 months since my op.
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