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

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

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

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

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 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

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

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.

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.

The worst is over Vic. Best wishes, and do what they tell you... yeah that's the hardest part.

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

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

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.