General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsOpen Heart Surgery
I am currently in the hospital for a heart attack and although we have that settled down, they are going to keep me here for observation until Wednesday. Then I have open heart surgery for 5-6 bypasses.
I will leave a message when I get through but won't be in shape to continue conversations for several days afterwards.
Wish me luck and see you all on the back side.
Botany
(77,842 posts)Get better soon and get home asap.

We will be listening for you.
GentryDixon
(3,157 posts)💐💐💐
OGBuzz
(580 posts)livetohike
(24,413 posts)Then wishing you a speedy recovery. Please check in when you can
.
irisblue
(37,905 posts)malaise
(297,894 posts)Return when youre hale and hearty.
Dave says
(5,467 posts)Spazito
(56,064 posts)a quick recovery.
JMCKUSICK
(6,602 posts)It's so remarkable what they do now, when I had mine done a year plus ago, I placed a DU friend in touch with my sister so everyone could stay updated.
I wish you will, if you have long hair, cut it now lol. (Makes moving easier afterwards lol).
We're here with you and for you PadFun.
Interestingly, I had my haircut just two days before the heart attack
mvd
(65,952 posts)healing vibes and luck to you.
PCIntern
(28,580 posts)Grim Chieftain
(2,015 posts)Sending thoughts, good wishes and hugs your way. Be strong, and keep us posted.
IbogaProject
(6,066 posts)Just carefully up your vitamin c intake to help the blood vessels heal. And be cautious about increasing your activity outside of PT & OT. People heal at different rates and take it easy before your start building back your heart's strength.
femmedem
(8,566 posts)My dad had a heart attack in his 50s, had a quintuple bypass shortly thereafter, and died twenty years later from something else. That early heart attack clued everyone in to what he needed.
padfun
(1,916 posts)A month ago. I guess I didn't go as long as we hoped. The surgeon did say that without this surgery I was due for an attack within the next two years. I guess it came sooner rather than later.
femmedem
(8,566 posts)I'm glad--we're all glad--you survived it.
OLDMDDEM
(3,276 posts)It means a lot to have those who have had it let me know they did good.
spanone
(142,049 posts)Triple bypass last July...
markie
(24,052 posts)I just had an unexpected heart "procedure" and I do know that heart surgery has come a long way and I trust you are in good hands!!
MiHale
(13,161 posts)About 13 years since I had my quadruple bypass
greatauntoftriplets
(179,331 posts)SheltieLover
(81,670 posts)niyad
(133,993 posts)recovery and healing.
S/V Loner
(9,561 posts)I had a triple seven years ago and no issues.
mercuryblues
(16,515 posts)Good luck and best wishes.
My biggest advice for you recovery... WALK.
Don't be surprised. They will have you walking less than 24 hrs after surgery. Don't fight them.
Friends always ask how they can help. Tell them you need walking buddies. Get yourself a headset, music on your phone for when you need it.
padfun
(1,916 posts)Walking on the first or second day
BaronChocula
(4,736 posts)Be good to yourself and listen to the docs!
mwmisses4289
(4,704 posts)mountain grammy
(29,200 posts)and will be watching for the all clear!
Ilsa
(64,563 posts)as is the recovery. I've taken care of those ICU patients before. Sending prayers and good wishes to you and the teams taking care of you.
hamsterjill
(17,742 posts)May you have a safe and easy passage through this and a speedy, full and complete recovery.
I will be holding you in my prayers on Wednesday.
Nevilledog
(55,131 posts)I so clearly remember my dad saying how much better he felt after his quad bypass. He said he hadn't realized what a drain his underperforming heart had been on his day to day life. Your physical therapy will suck, but it's so important. Best of luck.
Marie Marie
(11,507 posts)feeling better than you probably have in months.
CaliforniaPeggy
(156,946 posts)May your health return and your energy and joy too! Take care and please let us know how you're doing, when you can!
padfun
(1,916 posts)Hang in there, buddy.
yardwork
(69,639 posts)LetMyPeopleVote
(181,941 posts)KPN
(17,504 posts)Hang in there! And as you say, well look forward to see you on the back side.
bluestarone
(22,461 posts)Positive after your surgery!!
Wicked Blue
(9,011 posts)cachukis
(4,077 posts)KT2000
(22,214 posts)they caught it! Wishing you even more good luck!
LoisB
(13,447 posts)you.
Laurelin
(955 posts)Sending positive healing thoughts your way!
70sEraVet
(5,614 posts)and your surgeon!
Looking forward to hearing from you during your recovery (may it be speedy and complete).
Richluu
(159 posts)And blessings!
multigraincracker
(38,032 posts)Follow doctors orders, get a second opinion and then do your own research.
padfun
(1,916 posts)They said I was stupid too.
Alice Kramden
(2,963 posts)My 75-year-old brother had quadruple bypass last week and he is doing great. I'm sure it will go excellently for you as well!
Catlady123
(74 posts)Vinca
(54,325 posts)lived for many, many years after, despite taking terrible care of himself. Can't wait to hear how it went. Modern medicine is amazing.
gilligan
(219 posts)Had a Triple bypass 4 years ago Am doing fine and live one day at a time. They wanted to do 4 but to much blockage to close to the heart.
Hang in there.
StevieM
(10,581 posts)May you have a successful surgery and a speedy recovery.
Kid Berwyn
(25,055 posts)Speedy recovery to you, padfun!
10 Turtle Day
(1,309 posts)GoodRaisin
(11,054 posts)Trueblue Texan
(4,606 posts)Looking forward to hearing from you in a few weeks. You have lots of support here! Take care and see you soon.
Maraya1969
(23,562 posts)canetoad
(21,004 posts)Hope to see you back here as soon as you are able.
highplainsdem
(63,064 posts)amazing cardiac care now, especially compared to decades ago.
Maru Kitteh
(31,996 posts)patient handouts and work on it now so that after surgery it will be 2nd nature already and you wont have to think about it as much when you body and brain are fresh off the blow of an extended and challenging surgery.
Best of luck to you! Follow your surgeons instructions like you suddenly found yourself in the squid game.
blue_jay
(285 posts)and a rapid recovery.
Clouds Passing
(8,184 posts)I went through open heart surgery last July. Cant say its a breeze. Can say Im alive and moving about.
Liberal In Texas
(16,416 posts)Had one 8 years ago (almost to the day) and had 5. Quintuple, I guess.
I didn't have a heart attack or something similar, but in trying to figure out the Afib they discovered blockages and said that an angioplasty wasn't going to work.
Recovery is no fun, but once your stitching heals up you'll be back normal.
They'll get you signed up for cardio rehab. It'll seem like a PIA to go 3 times a week, but you really need to keep at it for the required number of weeks.
This might be scary, but it is going to make you better!
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padfun
(1,916 posts)I know it's a long road but I will do what I have to.
MLAA
(19,799 posts)Scrivener7
(60,064 posts)are on the mend.
You will be in my thoughts.
TNNurse
(7,549 posts)My husband is possibly facing a similar surgery. He did not have a heart attack, but the tests show blockages that might not be able to be fixed any other way.
Please keep us posted when you can.
Figarosmom
(13,305 posts)I'm sure you'll be okay. Doctors have perfected this type of surgery to make recovery much faster and easier on the patient.
Sending good vibes.
debm55
(61,642 posts)democrank
(12,676 posts)Get better, then come on back.
MustLoveBeagles
(17,206 posts)I hope everything goes well for you.
Bayard
(30,253 posts)Healing vibes to you.
blogslug
(39,216 posts)Be well.
Eko
(10,100 posts)ms.pamela
(93 posts)AncientOfDays
(271 posts)though mine was just a double bypass. Recovery didn't take long - but they don't let you lift anything heavier than a spoon for awhile - while your chest heals. getting out of chairs will be a challenge (you can't use your arms) Sign up for Cardiac Rehab if available (they have you exercise while wearing monitors)
padfun
(1,916 posts)I remember that name from 40 years ago when I read the Book of Urantia.
AncientOfDays
(271 posts)I don't think read the Book of Urantia - but I did read a lot and there might have been some oblique references somewher
AncientOfDays
(271 posts)can' say how you'll be affected - everyone's a bit different.
for me, the roughest was in Recovery immediately after surgery.
As I recall, i was using my iPad while still in the hospital. they only kept me for a few days - got me up for a walk, a shower, make sure other bodily functions. Gave me a heart-shaped pillow to hug while getting out of chairs. You have to roll out of bed and not use your arms. They wire the sternum together, no longer use the ladder - they glue the incisions together.
They took veins out of leg and arm for the bypass.
For awhile, you'll need help with showers (esp for the back) no tub baths
if you're using a desktop computer you might check with your doctor - my guess is that it would probably be ok.
HeartsCanHope
(1,758 posts)Will being thinking of you and your family.
DFW
(60,426 posts)Though nothing (yet) open heart, I have had a few cardiac near-misses, one of which elicited just in time in English from the surgeon, and this was not in an English-speaking country. Im probably due for another operation in the near future. I have a family history of both cancer and heart issues. Im 74, and men on both sides of my family almost never make it to 80 (in four generations, only two that I know of).
BUT
. cardiology has made spectacular advances in recent years, and statistically, your chances are good. Once its done, do what they tell you, do NOT eat what they tell you not to (thats the hard part), and dont try to take recovery faster than the docs say you can. Do all that and you should be fine. As a side note, I saw Clinton a few years after his quintuple bypass, and he looked great. Skinny as a rail and body movement more agile than when he was in the White House. He had become vegan, which must have required an iron will. I know what the White House kitchen staff is capable of, and Im sure he must have missed eating like that whenever he wanted.
As for statistics, even those are only indications, not absolutes. The second time my wife had cancer, it was a rare form known as the murderer, since it was always fatal. But hers was caught earlier than her oncologist had ever seen. He managed to fast-track an operation for her (very difficult here, as she only has coach class insurance), and she became that one in ten thousand that survived it. That was ten years ago, and 4 to 18 months is usually the best anyone with that kind of cancer can hope for.
So, hope for the best, then DO your best, and you should be here to tell the tale for a long while.
eppur_se_muova
(42,481 posts)My dad had two bypass operations -- the first was supposed to be a triple, but the second time they said actually it had turned into a quadruple, and they needed to make it a quintuple. They were running out of blood vessels to work with. Still, he made it to 84 with a pacemaker. And he probably would have lived longer if he had listened to his doctor more and taken his Rx as prescribed.
He spent most of his life considering medium-rare steaks to be the best food in the world. It must not be genetic, because I always found beef to be kind of boring -- certainly not something I'd want to see at every meal. I probably have much clearer arteries because of it. After his surgery, the steak dinners kind of disappeared.
OldBaldy1701E
(11,530 posts)My quad bypass was a whirlwind. I went in for a simple stress test, and was under the knife 32 hours later!
Just keep yourself mentally grounded. You are fine and it will be fine.
Beartracks
(14,653 posts)But good luck with the food.
=======================
eggplant
(4,232 posts)I had my MI at 37, and then a 5xCABG at 48, about 10 years ago.
Some things to consider, in no particular order:
- The fact that you are here to tell us is in itself a positive sign!
- Scheduled surgery is MUCH better than emergency surgery.
- How much of your ejection fraction was lost in the MI affects a lot of things in your future.
- Cardiac rehab (after recovery) statistically has a huge positive benefit.
- RESPECT the chest/lifting restrictions. You don't want to affect the alignment of your sternum. Things you don't consider: a dry towel before your shower of bath is light. A wet towel weighs a ton.
Expect recovery to take quite a while. The procedure itself only takes a few weeks to recover. It's the "getting in there" part that is brutal.
Best of luck through your procedure! Please don't hesitate to DM me about anything.
padfun
(1,916 posts)My ejection fraction was 25% a few months ago, but the latest echo cardiogram done yesterday showed it at 30%. Cardiologist said it's just a margin of error thing.
Thanks for the pointers.
mgardener
(2,401 posts)And best wishes for a speedy recovery.
CaptainTruth
(8,257 posts)Wishing you all the best!