My partner had a double bypass on 25 June and is recovering at home. It seems to be going well, apart from his feet being hugely swollen. They were swollen when he left hospital (I had to buy some huge slippers just to bring him home) and they haven’t reduced in size at all. They’re very painful.
He is taking co-amilofruse and is trying to elevate his legs when he can, although he’s hampered by him also having a hiatus hernia with the resultant acid reflux.
Can anyone advise if they’ve had the same and give us any advice please?
Many thanks
JSCAPM
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JSCAPM
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this may be concerning so I think your husband should report his symptoms to a doctor. Or phone 111. It could be weather, it could be anything. Yes, his legs should be elevated . But I’m not a medic!
Swollen ankles can be something we get however from what you are saying your Husbands are slightly more swollen than what would possibly be expected
I would certainly as soon as you can get the Doctor at least to take a look or maybe even phone 111 for advice and even though it could be the last thing I know you want to hear A&E if they are so bad
I just wondered and you don't have to answer but what did the Hospital say as they discharged him obviously knowing how bad the swelling was ?
Also there are the BHF Nurses you can give a call to I will put there number on for you
Let us know how you get on x
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To be honest, I was disappointed that the hospital sent him home in this condition. They knew his feet were swollen but the only thing that seemed to concern them was me buying something to fit his feet so they could discharge him. Earlier in his stay they’d said he couldn’t go home until the swelling was reduced, but I know they were under huge pressure to free up beds.
I know they need the beds but still they should make sure everything is fine before they discharge you and this weather if you are having the heat we are having mine are swollen not like your husbands are but swollen due to the heat
I would get someone to take a look to make sure he does not need any treatment different meds etc
My husband was sent home with support stockings but took them off after a week and paid the price. The hospital put them back on and told him to leave them on for a few weeks. That seemed to reduce the swelling
Thanks Suebedoo. I forgot to add that he can’t wear compression stockings because he has peripheral arterial disease in his lower legs. That obviously isn’t helping the situation.
When I came out they gave me compression socks to wear for six weeks to reduce the swelling in my legs. Worked well but quite a big effort for my wife to get them on me!
Maybe that would help? Your already elevating so that's good. Potentially some ice packs as well
Same here, six weeks of compression stockings (1 more week to go for me) and elevating feet when not moving around. Swelling does go down and they do get easier to put on.
As others have said, seek advice and re-assurance if really bad. On discharge, I was given a hospital ward number to call for things like this (I imagine)...
Thanks CyclingTime. I forgot to add that he can’t wear compression stockings as he has peripheral arterial disease in his lower legs. I’ll try him with an ice pack tomorrow.
I would def refer back to your Husband’s Consulrant / G.P / Cardiac Rehab Nurse. Hopefully one of them will be able to address the situation swiftly.
I was hugely swollen with fluid following O.H.S last year. (I suffer with a chronic low B.P - so was pumped full of fluid both when on bypass and for the few days I was in I.C.U post op). Not so much my legs - as I religiously wore the compression stockings for 6 wks following surgery, but from my knees to my stomach. None of the nightwear I took in hospital fitted. I resembled the Michelin Man!
However, whilst there I was put on Furosemide and Spironolactone and by the time I left hospital - 2 wks later, the fluid was largely gone (albeit I remained on Furosemide for another 2 months).
I would certainly see if you can get some medical advice today. The heat at the moment won’t help either. Hope you get some answers.
Thanks DodgyTockerMum. Fluid retention is a problem, isn’t it? He was on Furosemide prior to the bypass but is now on co-amilofruse. As I said below, elevating more extremely seems to have helped but I’ll keep an eye on it.
We had a concerted effort last night to elevate his legs even more. We added cushions to the bed so that his legs were raised higher than before and that seems to have worked. We’ve also raised his footrest so that during the day, when he’s not moving about, he can elevate more effectively. Today he’s managed to get a pair of slippers on, which he hadn’t been able to do since he returned home on 1 July.
I will refer back to the GP if the problem reoccurs.
I really appreciate the support of this community and for all of you taking the time to reply. It’s incredibly comforting when you’re under pressure to know that people are there for you.
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Another update 
3 weeks post CABG surgery
My husband is AMAZING!
