Patient Feedback on Open Heart/Triple Bypass Surgery...
Igo said
02:38 PM Dec 14, 2014
Hi All,
I am up for an op soon as per the subject line and was wondering from a patients point of view if any that have had this done can give me any hints or pointers of dealing with this pre-op and post op etc.
I am currently on a couple of meds to help with the situation in the meantime. Have one total blockage, two part blockage and some of the minor arteries blocked also....
Thanks
Hugo
Mike C said
06:16 PM Dec 14, 2014
Haven't had it personally but went thru with both my father and mother and Mate next door.
Mum was very frail before the op but took it in her stride.. did what the docs advised and no issues.
Old man was too stubborn a much stronger individual than mum but didn't follow the advice and struggled for a while.
Mate next door had 6 bypasses did the right thing and is all good.
So my advice is follow the rules, do what they say and you will be fine its almost a routine op these days and they are amazing at what they can do.
Good luck with it all and I am sure you will be a new man after recovery.. and that rolled up towel will be your best friend for a while..
cheers
Mike
Igo said
06:54 PM Dec 14, 2014
Thanks Mike, I am a bit dense, what is the rolled up towel for ?
How much time did they have to spend in hospital after the op ?
Mike C said
07:31 PM Dec 14, 2014
Can't recall exactly but not long at all..
Mum was up and about in a couple of days Dad a bit longer.
The rolled up towel is a high tech medical device that consists of a rolled up towel held tightly against the chest when you need to cough.. makes it far more comfortable.
cheers
Mike
Igo said
11:18 PM Dec 14, 2014
Thanks Mike,
Appreciated !
I just read this link, it gave me some insight into what happens before and after;
Apparently the common name for the standard bypass is nicknamed "Cabbage".......
PS: I am still interested to hear from anyone else that has had this done and their experience etc.....
-- Edited by Igo on Monday 15th of December 2014 11:03:48 PM
Sheba said
09:17 PM Dec 19, 2014
Hi Igo. I had the Cabbage [Double bypass,] 15 years ago on the 6th of January next. Same day as Slim Dusty . I remember waking up in recovery, with the Nurses talking about how the Phone lines were running hot, with people ringing to see how he was.
I had watched the Op. on one of those TV shows before hand, so wasn't worried at all when I went in to the Prince Charles in Brisbane. I think it helps if you know what to expect.
The staff were excellent in my opinion. Don't over-do the Oxygen. Leave it where they set it. There was a woman from Darwin in my ward, who was always turning it up higher. She could have killed herself.
Don't be afraid to use the rope attatched to the foot of the bed, to pull your-self up. It will not hurt.
I don't remember the towel thingy. Maybe they didn't use it back then.
Anyway, my experience was a good one.
I was out in 6 days. Wasn't allowed to fly straight away, so came home by road.
And I'm still here.
I went in thinking I was joining the "Zipper" Club, [ 1/4 inch wide Scar], but you can only just see a very thin pencil line now.
Just over 6 months later, I had my Gall-bladder removed. That operation was a hundred times worse than the Bypass.
Good luck,
Cheers,
Sheba.
-- Edited by Sheba on Friday 19th of December 2014 09:27:50 PM
Igo said
01:34 AM Dec 20, 2014
Thanks very much Sheba for the feedback, it is very much appreciated.
I am still not sure when they will be doing mine, probably in the new year, on meds in the meantime.
The Gall bladder op does not sound very nice, at least I am not up for one of them for the time being.
I must admit it is a bit scary having to have the "Cabbage" but I suppose it is better than the alternative.
Hope you have a great Xmas and New Year,
Thanks again,
Igo..
Sheba said
07:46 PM Dec 20, 2014
Don't worry about it Igo. It's a breeze.
Cheers,
Sheba.
-- Edited by Sheba on Saturday 20th of December 2014 07:48:12 PM
Igo said
11:26 PM Dec 20, 2014
Thanks Sheba.......I hope so !
Sheba said
07:51 PM Dec 21, 2014
If the staff where you're going are half as good as the ones who took care of me, you'll be fine.
I always think of going under anaesthetic as a chance to have a really good sleep.
When you wake up there will be a nurse right there. She'll give you some Ice to suck. I always thought that was a bit wierd, before the Op. but I understand now.
There will be a nurse with you around the clock, 'till you go back to the Ward.
Cheers,
Sheba.
-- Edited by Sheba on Sunday 21st of December 2014 07:53:34 PM
Igo said
10:58 PM Dec 21, 2014
Thanks Sheba,
I think of going under as bliss, and if you don't make it well you won't know anything about it, otherwise a good sleep.
What is the story with the ice to suck ???? Because you can't swallow or it hurts ?????
-- Edited by Igo on Sunday 21st of December 2014 11:00:08 PM
Sheba said
10:18 PM Dec 22, 2014
Igo wrote:
" If you don't make it well you won't know anything about it. "
I just didn't want to say that in case you'd be put off by it, but that's what I think too.
As for the ice, I'm not sure now if it's because of the coolness, or that it's easier than drinking, or so you don't get too much liquid too quickly. Anyway, it feels good, and you will be thirsty.l
Cheers,
Sheba.
-- Edited by Sheba on Monday 22nd of December 2014 10:19:34 PM
Igo said
02:24 AM Dec 23, 2014
I'm a fan of that old Doris Day song line Sheba "Whatever will be, will be, the future's not ours to see" etc etc....
Joe50 said
12:19 AM Dec 28, 2014
Hi Igo, the nickname 'cabbage' comes from the initials CABG - Coronary Artery Bypass Graft. I had a triple bypass 12 years (and 23 days) ago. Only problem for me was that the end of one of the wire ties used to hold the sternum together was angled outwards slightly and kept irritating the inner layer of the skin directly below the scar, resulting in a near constant infection which has left a deeper and wider 'scar within a scar'. Was fixed by the same surgeon removing the ties a year or so later (three incisions to take out 7 wires). All good since then. I remember waking up in ICU with a breathing tube down my throat and thinking 'well it must have worked, I'm still here', and trying not to exhale while the machine was puffing oxygen into me. Was in hospital for 7 days and was given a pillow, not a rolled-up towel, to hold against my chest when coughing, which they'll encourage you to do for the first couple of days. Chest was sore for a few weeks and wasn't able to drive for 6 weeks.
Cheers
Joe
Igo said
02:15 AM Dec 28, 2014
Thanks for the feedback Joe, not sure when mine is being done, can't say I'm looking forward to it but sure beats the alternative....
Igo said
10:17 PM Dec 31, 2014
Got a call at 6PM tonight from a thoracic surgeon at a major hospital (New Years Eve) saying he wanted to make an appointment for me to see him, but he was going on leave that night and wouldn't be back until 10th Feb 2015.
I asked him whether I would be ok until then and he decided he try to get one of the other surgeons to see me before then.
So at least the wheels are turning, if not slowly, but if the pains get too bad I have the option of calling for an Ambulance, but hopefully not tonight as they will only have a skeleton emergency staff at the hospital.
Weevil said
10:56 PM Jan 9, 2015
Sorry to hear about your condition Igo, if it is any consolation I have just found out I have to have a bypass op as well according to my heart specialist......so you are not alone
Good luck with your op, let's know how you get on...
Weevil said
05:25 PM Feb 8, 2015
Well Igo, if you are still reading the forum, I hope your By-pass went well.
I have just had mine, quad bypass, maze re-direction on the heart also (for AF) and removal of an "appendage" some little skin tag (similar to an appendix, but on your heart) apparently it can cause blood clots and is not needed.
So other than feeling like having been hit by a truck and unable to do a lot of things, coupled with a long recovery I am still on this planet for the time being. It will all take time.
Sheba said
06:35 PM Feb 8, 2015
Glad you're still here Vic. Are you home yet ?
Cheers,
Sheba.
Gerty Dancer said
08:47 PM Feb 8, 2015
The worst is over Vic. Best wishes, and do what they tell you... yeah that's the hardest part.
Weevil said
10:42 PM Feb 8, 2015
Thanks Sheba & Gerty,
Yes, back home now, still some ongoing stuff and a long road to travel yet.
Joe50 said
12:45 AM Feb 9, 2015
Glad you came through OK Vic, think I got off lightly with 'just' a triple! Hardest part now is to be a good boy and do what you're told (well at least for a few weeks, anyway).
And Igo, if you're still around, let us know if you've had your op yet.
Cheers Joe
-- Edited by Joe50 on Monday 9th of February 2015 12:49:10 AM
frangipani said
10:09 AM Feb 9, 2015
Good to hear your at home and all went well, do what docs tell you, you'll be on the road again soon., love Fran and Sam Bear xxx
Weevil said
11:39 AM Feb 9, 2015
Thanks Joe and Fran,
Yes, I will try to be a good boy. The no driving for six weeks is going to be tough.
How long did others wear their pressure stockings for after they left hospital? Dam hard things to get on, I could get them on ok but as you know while the chest bones are knitting, no pushing/pulling etc. Missus has arthritis of the hands and finds it too hard, also suffers from AF/heart problems so can't strain too much, jury still out on those....
Edit: Just checked Igo's profile, it shows as deleted, hope he is ok
-- Edited by Weevil on Monday 9th of February 2015 11:43:02 AM
Joe50 said
01:54 AM Feb 10, 2015
Don't remember having to wear pressure stockings after leaving hospital. Have to wear them these days because of some lymphoedema in the legs and they're hard enough to get on now - no way I could have done it just after open heart surgery (admittedly the hospital ones wouldn't have had as much compression as the ones I wear now). The six-week no-driving ban was hard, getting on and off buses was literally a pain! I drove from Sydney to Brisbane about 9 weeks after the op for my belated annual Christmas visit and had no problems at all. I was 'only' 52 at the time so maybe my age helped me through with no major complications.
Joe
Weevil said
10:23 PM Feb 10, 2015
Thanks Joe, I am 73 so don't have age on my side.
A scan today revealed I have fluid in the lungs and around the heart, so hoping with meds to get on top of that.
I return to hospital tomorrow for another xray and review etc, few more to go yet (standard stuff). My leg (where they took a long vein) has been bleeding but only slightly so they will look at that also and change the dressing etc.
My GP reckons I looked better today than a few days ago, feeling stronger so hope it continues. He reviewed all my meds and there are a few changes there for the current time, may change again later.
Gerty Dancer said
10:18 AM Feb 11, 2015
A little bit better every day Vic. Keep it up!
Weevil said
08:22 PM Feb 12, 2015
Thanks Gerty,
Still having a few echo's and xrays to keep an eye on the fluids, if meds don't correct it back in for a spell.
Hi All,
I am up for an op soon as per the subject line and was wondering from a patients point of view if any that have had this done can give me any hints or pointers of dealing with this pre-op and post op etc.
I am currently on a couple of meds to help with the situation in the meantime. Have one total blockage, two part blockage and some of the minor arteries blocked also....
Thanks
Hugo
Mum was very frail before the op but took it in her stride.. did what the docs advised and no issues.
Old man was too stubborn a much stronger individual than mum but didn't follow the advice and struggled for a while.
Mate next door had 6 bypasses did the right thing and is all good.
So my advice is follow the rules, do what they say and you will be fine its almost a routine op these days and they are amazing at what they can do.
Good luck with it all and I am sure you will be a new man after recovery.. and that rolled up towel will be your best friend for a while..
cheers
Mike
Thanks Mike, I am a bit dense, what is the rolled up towel for ?
How much time did they have to spend in hospital after the op ?
Mum was up and about in a couple of days Dad a bit longer.
The rolled up towel is a high tech medical device that consists of a rolled up towel held tightly against the chest when you need to cough.. makes it far more comfortable.
cheers
Mike
Thanks Mike,
Appreciated !
I just read this link, it gave me some insight into what happens before and after;
http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/heart_bypass_surgery
Apparently the common name for the standard bypass is nicknamed "Cabbage".......
PS: I am still interested to hear from anyone else that has had this done and their experience etc.....
-- Edited by Igo on Monday 15th of December 2014 11:03:48 PM
Hi Igo. I had the Cabbage [Double bypass,] 15 years ago on the 6th of January next. Same day as Slim Dusty . I remember waking up in recovery, with the Nurses talking about how the Phone lines were running hot, with people ringing to see how he was.
I had watched the Op. on one of those TV shows before hand, so wasn't worried at all when I went in to the Prince Charles in Brisbane. I think it helps if you know what to expect.
The staff were excellent in my opinion. Don't over-do the Oxygen. Leave it where they set it. There was a woman from Darwin in my ward, who was always turning it up higher. She could have killed herself.
Don't be afraid to use the rope attatched to the foot of the bed, to pull your-self up. It will not hurt.
I don't remember the towel thingy. Maybe they didn't use it back then.
Anyway, my experience was a good one.
I was out in 6 days. Wasn't allowed to fly straight away, so came home by road.
And I'm still here.
I went in thinking I was joining the "Zipper" Club, [ 1/4 inch wide Scar], but you can only just see a very thin pencil line now.
Just over 6 months later, I had my Gall-bladder removed. That operation was a hundred times worse than the Bypass.
Good luck,
Cheers,
Sheba.
-- Edited by Sheba on Friday 19th of December 2014 09:27:50 PM
Thanks very much Sheba for the feedback, it is very much appreciated.
I am still not sure when they will be doing mine, probably in the new year, on meds in the meantime.
The Gall bladder op does not sound very nice, at least I am not up for one of them for the time being.
I must admit it is a bit scary having to have the "Cabbage" but I suppose it is better than the alternative.
Hope you have a great Xmas and New Year,
Thanks again,
Igo..
Don't worry about it Igo. It's a breeze.
Cheers,
Sheba.
-- Edited by Sheba on Saturday 20th of December 2014 07:48:12 PM
Thanks Sheba.......I hope so !
If the staff where you're going are half as good as the ones who took care of me, you'll be fine.
I always think of going under anaesthetic as a chance to have a really good sleep.
When you wake up there will be a nurse right there. She'll give you some Ice to suck. I always thought that was a bit wierd, before the Op. but I understand now.
There will be a nurse with you around the clock, 'till you go back to the Ward.
Cheers,
Sheba.
-- Edited by Sheba on Sunday 21st of December 2014 07:53:34 PM
Thanks Sheba,
I think of going under as bliss, and if you don't make it well you won't know anything about it, otherwise a good sleep.
What is the story with the ice to suck ???? Because you can't swallow or it hurts ?????
-- Edited by Igo on Sunday 21st of December 2014 11:00:08 PM
-- Edited by Sheba on Monday 22nd of December 2014 10:19:34 PM
I'm a fan of that old Doris Day song line Sheba "Whatever will be, will be, the future's not ours to see" etc etc....
Cheers
Joe
Thanks for the feedback Joe, not sure when mine is being done, can't say I'm looking forward to it but sure beats the alternative....
Got a call at 6PM tonight from a thoracic surgeon at a major hospital (New Years Eve) saying he wanted to make an appointment for me to see him, but he was going on leave that night and wouldn't be back until 10th Feb 2015.
I asked him whether I would be ok until then and he decided he try to get one of the other surgeons to see me before then.
So at least the wheels are turning, if not slowly, but if the pains get too bad I have the option of calling for an Ambulance, but hopefully not tonight as they will only have a skeleton emergency staff at the hospital.
Sorry to hear about your condition Igo, if it is any consolation I have just found out I have to have a bypass op as well according to my heart specialist......so you are not alone
Good luck with your op, let's know how you get on...
Well Igo, if you are still reading the forum, I hope your By-pass went well.
I have just had mine, quad bypass, maze re-direction on the heart also (for AF) and removal of an "appendage" some little skin tag (similar to an appendix, but on your heart) apparently it can cause blood clots and is not needed.
So other than feeling like having been hit by a truck and unable to do a lot of things, coupled with a long recovery I am still on this planet for the time being. It will all take time.
Glad you're still here Vic. Are you home yet ?
Cheers,
Sheba.
Thanks Sheba & Gerty,
Yes, back home now, still some ongoing stuff and a long road to travel yet.
Glad you came through OK Vic, think I got off lightly with 'just' a triple! Hardest part now is to be a good boy and do what you're told (well at least for a few weeks, anyway).
And Igo, if you're still around, let us know if you've had your op yet.
Cheers
Joe
-- Edited by Joe50 on Monday 9th of February 2015 12:49:10 AM
Good to hear your at home and all went well, do what docs tell you, you'll be on the road again soon., love Fran and Sam Bear xxx
Thanks Joe and Fran,
Yes, I will try to be a good boy. The no driving for six weeks is going to be tough.
How long did others wear their pressure stockings for after they left hospital? Dam hard things to get on, I could get them on ok but as you know while the chest bones are knitting, no pushing/pulling etc. Missus has arthritis of the hands and finds it too hard, also suffers from AF/heart problems so can't strain too much, jury still out on those....
Edit: Just checked Igo's profile, it shows as deleted, hope he is ok
-- Edited by Weevil on Monday 9th of February 2015 11:43:02 AM
Joe
Thanks Joe, I am 73 so don't have age on my side.
A scan today revealed I have fluid in the lungs and around the heart, so hoping with meds to get on top of that.
I return to hospital tomorrow for another xray and review etc, few more to go yet (standard stuff). My leg (where they took a long vein) has been bleeding but only slightly so they will look at that also and change the dressing etc.
My GP reckons I looked better today than a few days ago, feeling stronger so hope it continues. He reviewed all my meds and there are a few changes there for the current time, may change again later.
Thanks Gerty,
Still having a few echo's and xrays to keep an eye on the fluids, if meds don't correct it back in for a spell.
Just taking it day by day.
Thinking of you Vic. Take care.
Cheers,
Sheba.
Thanks Sheba