Recovery after a double bypass surgery. - British Heart Fou...

British Heart Foundation

51,784 members32,649 posts

Recovery after a double bypass surgery.

Oldsilver profile image
19 Replies

Hi,

I am currently in recovery (day 12), after having the above procedure, and can feel a modest improvement every day.

I should be very interested to have discussions, stories, and experiences with others that have been through the procedure, and come out the other side!

I'm a 72 year old male, who lives with his wife and a wee pug in the East Midlands.

Look forward to hearing from you!

Mick.

Written by
Oldsilver profile image
Oldsilver
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
19 Replies
Bluey73 profile image
Bluey73

Hi Mick, I am not too far from you, in West Mids. I can't offer and advice or stories regarding recovery as my boyfriend is awaiting surgery for a quadruple bypass (booked 26th July) but just wanted to say hello and I'm pleased you are improving, all the best with your recovery.

Oldsilver profile image
Oldsilver in reply to Bluey73

Hiya,

I know exactly how he must be feeling, but believe me, the waiting is the worst bit.

I keep everything crossed for a successful procedure.

Trying to remain positive about the future is really important, as is talking about his apprehensions, fears etc with you.

You sound like a good person who cares a lot about your partner, he is lucky to have someone who will help him in going forward.

My best wishes to you both.

Mick x

Bluey73 profile image
Bluey73 in reply to Oldsilver

Bless you. Thankyou Mick, your kind words of support mean a lot.

BeKind28- profile image
BeKind28-

Hello :-)

Hello I am North Midlands and I had a triple Bypass nearly 3 years ago

You sound like you are doing really well at just 12 days feeling little improvements I was not feeling that way at that stage so your recovery is going really well :-)

Don't try and run before you can walk but at the same time keep going , rest when you need to and listen to your body it is always a good thing to do so as our recoveries can all be different

Eventually hopefully you will be invited to Rehab classes and they will really benefit you

If there is anything particular you need to know just ask and we will do our best to share our experiences with you :-)

Keep us updated how you get on :-) x

Jako999 profile image
Jako999

Hi you sound like your doing well but take it steady. I live in the West Midlands and I’m 2 years post quad CABG. It’s a long road but if you tread carefully it will be a good one, I ran to soon and paid for it DONT DO IT.

You’ll get rehab it’s great take it and stick with it, a lot of people including me get some anxiety problems don’t hold them in talk about them especially on here, we’ve all been through it and totally understand.

Keep us all updated and enjoy being alive and your new life👍🙏

CyclingTime profile image
CyclingTime

Had a quad bypass 2.5 years ago.

12 days is early but sounds like you are doing great. Mt advice would be.

1. Follow the booklet recommended exercises for the first six weeks

2. Do not lift anything remotely heavy in the first six weeks (even heavy kettles)

3. Ramp the walking up as much as you feel comfortable, I did two a day which started very short like 150yds each time but it built up very quickly. Use an app on your phone like Strava as you can see how far you have improved each week

4. Once you have had the appointment with the cardiac nurse at the end of six weeks, do the exercises religiously, any questions or concerns just call and ask them. But they normally have a weekly call with you.

5. Rest, if you feel tired get some sleep and rest 😊

Good luck, you will be flying soon!

DWizza profile image
DWizza

Hi Oldsilver, glad to hear that your rehab is going well. I had nstemi and quadruple bypass July 2023. I’ve posted some questions about medication and rehab over the last 11 months I’m sure you could search for them and have a read and I hope they are helpful to you. It’s definitely a journey and there maybe a few bumps in the road ,I’m thrilled with my rebirth and loving life , keeping very active with farming , motorbikes and family . Wishing you a comfortable and speedy recovery . 👊🏻👊🏻👊🏻

Billett profile image
Billett

Hi there i had double by pass and valve repair in January now 6 months down the line and im good now i used to say 1% a day feeling better and some days it worked and other days was rough but youll get there but slow and steady wins the race .Your body is a fantastic thing and just listen to it

It will tell you how fast to go or if it needs rest you will have your niggles i have a bit of nerve damage in my chest like pins and needles and my leg is taking some healing and when i bend or go up hills i used to get out of breath then i had AF and had to have a Cardio version but im back in sinus rhythm now so all good . Good Luck on your recovery

wjb2 profile image
wjb2

Like someone else i’m 21/2 years triple bypass and ruptured gallbladder to boot all in the same year. I’m now 70 and was totally unfit, my one enjoyment outside of Family was my Motorcycle.

take each day as it comes follow the Advice of your cardiac rehab nurses most importantly remember every single person on here will have had similar worries and concerns at some point. My rehab nurse best advice was go life your life and enjoy this new beginning .

So i still out on my motorcycle once a week ( nice weather only) 😂 .

I eat as healthily as i can without been OTT. I will never be a really fit person, but i can be happily very active and heck that’s the biggest win after how unfit i was.

What is past is past move forward with joy and hope.

Snowflake01 profile image
Snowflake01

I found 2-3 week point post bypass was a real turning point for me (I'm at 4 weeks post op now). Each day has been a step towards recovery, though some days might feel like a day backwards, but use these days to take more rest and listen to your body.

At 4 weeks, my leg is steadily getting better so I can get out for more short walks around the block (freedom!), and then rest 😴. My chest doesn't hurt as bad if I cough or sneeze. I'm able to concentrate on a book or puzzle much better. My aches and pains are subsiding; my sleep has vastly improved and I'm much more independent now.

As everyone is saying, we all have our own rate of recovery, it's not a race . Good luck to yourself and everyone else undergoing similar ops and recoveries 🙂

momander profile image
momander

Hi MickI live in Scotland so a wee bit far from you!!

I had my double cabg 18months ago.

The emotional recovery was the hardest for me .

I was surprised at how well and quickly I reovered physically.

The advice I got was to take it slow baby steps each day and little by little I gained my strength back. I hope you continue to come on leaps and bounds every day. Take care. Xx

stevetheadi profile image
stevetheadi

Hi

I had a triple bypass a little over two weeks ago.

The first few days at home were difficult. I felt weaker than I did in the hospital and I couldn't sleep for more than one or two hours a night. I got very anxious.

I still don't sleep for more than three hours a night.

But I feel a bit stronger every day, I can walk a bit further and the pains are easing to the point where I don't need painkillers very often. I can walk up stairs easily.

I still struggle to concentrate on a book for more than a few minutes (I used to love reading) but overall I can see light at the end of the tunnel.

It might be a long tunnel, but I'll get there.

maggie80 profile image
maggie80

Hi Mick, I had a quadruple and a replacement heart valve Nov'21. It It did take time to recover. Take each week at a time. Listen to your body. Take care.

Bluey73 profile image
Bluey73

I love reading about everyone's recovery journeys - it's very comforting & hopefully will be for Oldsilver too :)

Dee717 profile image
Dee717

Hi Mick,

I’m some 9mths post triple heart bypass and for me it’s been a slow going process. For ref I’m 47 so 25yrs younger than you and what I can say is the recovery is different for everyone who I’ve talked with.

12 days is still so very very early days into your recovery and if you’re already feeling small improvements then I’d take a lot of positive encouragement on that. Although post 12 days for me seems like ages ago I do recall I didn’t feel any real improvement until week 8-10!!

I’d say whilst rest is very important try to keep as mobile as possible especially with your shoulders they’ve taken a thrashing in the surgery so you want to avoid them from going stiff, gentle rolling when you’re up to it.

I’d also highly recommend you attend the Cardiac Rehab sessions when you’re offered them and until then just let your body heal and relax as much as you can.

All the best for your recovery journey

Dee

Oldsilver profile image
Oldsilver in reply to Dee717

Good morning, I have to say that finding this "online community" has helped me enormously, I'm no longer sitting in my chair questioning whether every little ache & twinge is normal! I have over 80 "clips" coming out today, really looking forward to that.....not! Thank you very much for the kind words of encouragement, they mean a lot.😀

Bingofox007 profile image
Bingofox007

never had cardiac surgery but do have a pug and what a little nurse she is if I’m unwell. Never leaves my side. Hope yours is keeping your spirits up. Wishing you a full and speedy recovery. Take care 🦊x

Oldsilver profile image
Oldsilver in reply to Bingofox007

Hiya, our little "Lulu" is a nurse and a half, she took an instant dislike to the district nurse who came to change my dressings! They have since made up however....Incredibly protective of me & mum.

Lulu the Pug/Frenchie in her favourite park!
Bingofox007 profile image
Bingofox007

beautiful girl, looks like my two put together! Take care 🦊x

Trio of trouble!

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Walking after Double bypass

Hi guys Some advice needed, 12 days after double bypass walked briskly for 5km today felt tired but

Recovery after quad bypass

a real shock. He ended up having a quadruple bypass a week later. We have 2 young boys and as a...

One Year After Double Bypass

positive recovery and said to myself that one year on I would be not just be better but a new...

Advice please after double bypass

Wednesday 22nd Sept, so only 4 days ago. I'm in alot of pain so Dr's have given me something else...

Blockages After Bypass Surgery

Hi I’m new to this forum ,57 year old male and looking for any advice ,I had a quadruple bypass in...