Double bypass scared

[Stevegee100]

Hi I'm Steve I am about to have a double bypass operation and wanted to get your experiences on the lead up to it I'm currently in hospital awaiting transfer to kings and to be fair I'm scared 😱 What advise have you got on the lead up and after care as you will be aware my head is all over the place at the moment

[weepip]

Hi I had my triple bypass almost 5 months ago and understood totally as I was scared aswell although pretending I wasn't 🙃 all I can say is when the day actually came everyone was so organised and reassuring I felt pretty calm going into surgery. The waiting itself was the worse part.For me the recovery has been slow as I've had a few complications but I'm so glad to have been given this second chance to lead a long and relatively normal life. Hopefully you won't have to wait too long.

[Pollypuss in reply to weepip]

Hi . I quite understand your fears. I had triple over four years ago. I was terrified of the thought of being in hospital let alone having a major op. I visualised myself going to pieces when they wheeled me in to the theatre. However it wasn’t like that at all. The staff are so professional that you look to the future and there are no negative feelings involved . I had the best sleep I had in years in those 3 hours and honestly cannot remember really intense pain as I was so well monitored. Oh yes there is a feeling of weakness and discomfort as expected but you are so well looked after and it will take time to feel not your old self but a much better self . I’m now 82 and feeling good . All the best

[PadThaiNoodles]

The waiting is definitely the worst. Once things start to move it improves.

As for the after-care, expect it to take a little longer than you're told. A doctor's definition of "recovered" turns out to be different from a patient's definition. 🙄

[Maxbar]

It's totally normal to be scared anyone would be ,but you really don't have any other option so concentrate on the benefits and plan your recovery as best you can. I am still unsure weather I will need a bypass or not so I do understand your fears.and as most people seem to agree the waiting is the worst thing . try and shut it out and think about the future .good luck to you really hope all goes well ❤️👍👍

[Ralfthecav]

Had my triple bypass 6 months ago. Being scared is natural but what the medical teams can do is amazing. I’d say put your trust in them fully and do as you’re told! Recovery can be a bit up and down but if you are like me you’ll be amazed at how quickly they get you up and about. For me leaving hospital was the worst bit - you go from being monitored 24/7 (a bit annoying when they are checking your blood pressure at 2am) to being ‘on your own’ so a little disconcerting at first. Once you get into a new routine with plenty of rest things generally move in the right direction. Good luck with your op and recovery.

[cometwatcher1927]

I’m ten weeks from a quadruple heart bypass

Agree the wait between going in and the actual op causes great stress

I reached the stage where I just accepted it , , when the surgeons started to apply the drips etc , I did think omg this is it

You tend to think am I going to be ok survive , it’s natural

It’s great that you have reached out to this forum

I never did til now and to read discuss with others would have been beneficial pre n post op

the following day I felt ok albeit washed out - the second day when it home - 2 day blues as the anaesthetic and painkillers wear off

I had mixed emotions for the following week

Chest area was sore , but bearable

My legs swelled up with oedema and I got a infection too still issue today

I’d recommend the cushion over the chest , when you move or cough initially

I didn’t sleep much in hospital but crashed out once home if could get comfortable

at first it’s very hard even to do the basic things - lift a kettle , hold a paper etc . seriously wasnt prepared for how tough it was

Learn to do what you want too listen to your body

Take your time etc Nap as necessary- it’s natural to do so

Mentally nothing prepares you for the body shock I experienced , feel stunned , knumb . As you recover I regained confidence in myself and more positive

The heart nurses are fantastic , any queries ask don’t be afraid too , I’m just a ordinary patient and they seen heard it all before

Best wishes

[Stevegee100]

Just so you all know I am reading all of your messages and taking your experiences and advice on board Even if I haven't replied

Thanks I'm glad I reached out!

[cabgpatch]

I'm five + months on from a triple bypass and my experience is that it hasn't been as bad as I thought it might be. Sure it's a massive operation, but routine to the surgeons who do it and the mortality rate is incredibly low. I had some side effects from the meds during the week I was in hospital, but they ceased as soon as I got home. I have only ever needed paracetamol for pain relief.

We organised a WhatsApp group for friends and family so we didn't have to keep answering the same questions all the time and could ask for help when needed. It is nice that people are concerned, but won't understand just how tired you can be after the operation. If you can find a hearty in real life to talk to that has gone through it, that may help manage expectations, I was lucky to have two I could talk to. There's a surprising large number of us out there!

As everyone will tell you, everyone's recovery is different, so don't panic if you don't seem to be making the same progress as others, but the one thing we all have in common is that the journey is up and down. Some days will feel good, others you might not want to get out of bed. It doesn't matter, do what you feel you need to each day. Make sure you take notice of the movement guidelines and stick to what you are told you can and can't do. Not everyone is able to meet the general guidelines for exercise, do what you can and if/when you are offered cardiac rehab, take it. It will help no end. If you can find a way to not be anxious, that will help. The emotions are a big part of the recovery process.

It may seem like a colossal thing right now, but there are thousands of us who get through this every year and we're nothing special, just ordinary people. You've got this.

All the best, Paul.

[Keyb1]

I had a triple bypass exactly one week ago at Kings and I can't praise the whole process enough, especially the after care. I've never before witnessed such a blanket level of dedication and commitment, especially by the ICU staff. As for pain, I experienced surprisingly little (as others have said). The inhaler, breath device really is a "best friend". I also practiced my own version of "chair yoga", wiggling feet and legs and whatever else I could think of.I was discharged two days ago and it was a shock to realise how little I could do before running out of breath. Now, two days later, I've managed a short, level walk to the nearby park and a local bus ride (with mask).

I'd bought a used, fully reclining chair just before surgery and that's another best friend, as well as a V Pillow - useful both at home and in hospital for a more comfortable sleep.

It's a very safe procedure. You're in very good and caring hands. Best wishes.

[Snowflake01]

Hi

Try not to think too much about the op and have plenty of things to distract you (easy to say I know). Above all stay positive as this should improve greatly things in the long run 👍

There's loads and loads of sound advice through searching on this forum that helped me prepare for the recovery, again this definitely helped and made the coming home bit more manageable.

I'm 4+ months post op now and recovering well - I'm pretty active, but do still get over tired sometimes (a gentle reminder to be patient in your recovery). The improvement month by month has been amazing for me and the op seems a distant memory. Everyone recovers at their own pace, so take care and all the best 💪

[Stevegee100]

Thank you everyone you have helped beyond belief I'm due to have the op on Wednesday and feel alot better about it now 🙌