Bypass operation

[Dag71]

Hi All just a quick question to anyone who has had bypass operation..I have had an nstemi and two stents inserted into the one artery..I am awaiting a bypass operation within the next months can anyone answer me if the feeling of breathlessness will subside or just your thoughts on the operation before and after..Thanks in advance ☺

[BeKind28-]

Hello

Your breathing should improve after the operation even though it will take time as you have to go through the recovery stage

They will give you some breathing exercises to do which I suggest you do them as they do help

Before the operation I have never been so frightened but all the people on here were so helpful and helped me so much

Once I walked in the Hospital somehow I felt safe in the hands of Nurses and Doctors you could really tell they knew what they were doing

After the operation I felt a little bit rough of course but nothing like my imagination had imagined it would be like I was quite surprised really how well I felt

If this is what is needed to be done then I would see it as the start of a better you and how you feel now

Anything particular you want to know just ask

Let us know how you get on x

[Dag71 in reply to BeKind28-]

Will do cheers 🍻

[BeKind28- in reply to Dag71]

x

[080311]

morning Dag71,

Welcome to the forum, sorry you have found yourself with heart issues but here to tell you there’s nothing to fear about your upcoming surgery.

I had bypass and Aortic valve replacement nearly 9 years ago. After surgery your breathing will improve, just remember to follow the instructions you will be given. There’s things to do, no lifting anything heavier than half a kettle of water, no arms above your head, you have to let your sternum heal like any broken bone, as BeKind said you will be given breathing exercises in hospital by the physios, I called them huffing and puffing! Carry on doing them when you get home, remember when we are put on bypass our lungs collapse so all those little pockets need filling up again. Once you get home walk! Just a little bit every day, and then once you can get out try and do a bit more every day. I used to count lampposts! I know silly but trying to get to the next one every time worked😂

Be prepared for feeling emotional! Your brain will be all over the place, plus you are given some exotic drugs and it takes a while for them to work their way out of our bodies. Your medical team do this as their day job! Don’t worry about pain they will make sure you are very comfortable. You will soon be walking on the heart mended road, if you have any questions just post someone will be along to help.

As I said 9 years on and I am grateful every single day for this second chance.

Best wishes Pauline

[T666 in reply to 080311]

Spot on

[Dag71 in reply to 080311]

Cheers Pauline 🍻

[Redfloyd]

Difficult to say if my breathing improved because for the first few weeks you probably won't be doing much anyway. I had an AVR and a CABG last September. Yes it hurts, not the operation site but general chest area, Critical Care ward is noisy, difficult to find a good position to sleep in, I didn't want to eat, I even asked the Dr if I was going to walk out of here. Fortunately I did, everybody is different and my recovery was very much 1 step forward 2 steps back for quite a while. Now 5 months on I'm finally feeling stronger and fitter and yesterday I spent four hours spaced over the day doing some logging. I'm still not as strong as I was with regards to lifting but I was able to keep going. The main thing to remember it will get better, but you need to be patient. It's very easy to overdo things in the early days.

[Dag71 in reply to Redfloyd]

Cheers for the response I like the sound of the logging always good to hear from people who have been through it

[Redfloyd in reply to Dag71]

Good luck and look forward to seeing your updates as you go forward

[cabgpatch]

The common description of a bypass (or CABG) is that it's a major operation but routine in that many are done throughout the course of a year. So what that equates to is that it takes time to recover from, but that the recovery will happen.

Having had a triple bypass just over eight months ago, I can confirm that recovery is not linear. For most, it is up and down, and if you can get support from others, the downs will not seem quite so bad.

As has been mentioned, your emotions may be all over the place at times as your body tries to understand what has happened to it, but if you keep your focus on the fact that you will recover, that will help.

Keep posting and asking questions on this forum, it's very unlikely that something will happen to you that hasn't already happened to someone else.

Take all the wins you can get. If that's being able to walk up and down your hallway/bedroom/lounge more than once, that's an achievement, celebrate it. The bigger wins will come later.

12 weeks post-op is important. That's when your sternum has fused and you can feel more confident with movements.

You should be told about the 'Tube'. Movements you can and can't do. Do not ignore them.

These are all just stream of consciousness thoughts in no particular order. If any of it prompts a question, please ask it. Someone will have an answer!

All the best, a bypass is not the end of the world, it's the entrance to a new one.

Paul

[Dag71 in reply to cabgpatch]

Thanks Paul

[pete1010]

hi 4 years since 3x bypass everything people say is true pain not as bad as you imagine if you do as your told ,, best advice from now to the opp is walk and get as fit as you can ,,, practice getting up and out of bed holding a rolled up towel in the middle of your chest with both arms crossed sitting up and turning then standing (I found one leg out and using it to help )

[Dag71 in reply to pete1010]

I will start practicing preparation is key..

[DWizza]

Hi Dag, I had an nstemi and quadruple bypass July 2023. Made a great recovery , not always linear , couple of hiccups re infected sternum wound and tweaking meds but I made fab progress really. I did a monthly round up of progress posts for a year , they might be helpful to you if you do a search for my posts. The posts above have covered lots of the immediate issues when returning home. Time does pass , the physical scars heal . The mental aspects linger , I’m sure I had (have) a touch of PTSD post event & surgery. These events certainly change you. I am so grateful for my rebirth though 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻. I’ve achieved so much since . Living life to the full. Made a couple of tweaks to my nutrition, make my own bread ( way less salt and no sugar etc) , focus on med type diet and keeping my new pipes clear as instructed by one of my surgeons 👍🏻. Running , swimming , cycling on top of my physical work round our small holding. I’d highly recommend getting in the pool after a few months to help break down the scar tissue in the chest area , swimming really helped to sort that out for me. Keep us posted 👍🏻

Post quadruple bypass surgery rehab

[Dag71 in reply to DWizza]

Cheers for your advice 👍 picture gallery a great idea

[Womble3]

I had a triple bypass in Jan 2024 I think that you should still take it steady with smart watch do not exceed 120 if you do sit down and rest

I think that if you overdo it then you will get breathless I am 80 not sure if it’s my age generally ok but avoid heavy lifting and take care of yourself

You may think that having some plumbing replaced you will start bouncing about like a teenager but not the case you may have some heart damage caused when you’re arteries were partially blocked

Basically take it easy and you will be okay you will have an artery removed from your leg which does not get replaced so put your feet up if you have any swelling

It is a major operation and you need to be careful

[Dag71 in reply to Womble3]

I like your honest response especially the plumbing replacements..I'm 53 my cigarettes have come home to roost..I don't miss them one bit I'm getting great advice and support here..I had my attack 2 weeks before Christmas and I have been exercising and feeling good For some reason this week due to a mild personal change I feel totally lost..so the plan is to get back into the routine I created on getting out of the hospital..I've seen people talking about PTSD here

I was treated by a nurse from the Philippines at one point they have the right attitude she told me my results weren't as bad as I was lead to believe..people worry to much about the heart to much here..what she said is true I felt relaxed