Tell me about heart surgery please.
Discussion
I got home this evening to find out that my father (aged 71), having had an angiogram today to see if he has angina, is now lined up for a triple heart bypass and heart graft.
Apparently he has had - and been completely oblivious to - at least one heart attack which has scarred the bottom of his heart, one of his arteries is completely blocked, and one of the others has started growing extra little arteries to try and help it out or something?
Needless to say, this is all rather scary! The specialist has him booked in for surgery in early December. Triple bypass and heart graft sounds like the sort of thing I'd have expected to be required with much urgency, but I assume it can't be quite that bad if they're letting him out rather than keeping him in and operating sooner?
There is absolutely no experience of heart disease in our family, so I've not really got any points of reference. Can anyone shed some light on how serious this is, what sort of impact it's likely to have and the like?
Apparently he has had - and been completely oblivious to - at least one heart attack which has scarred the bottom of his heart, one of his arteries is completely blocked, and one of the others has started growing extra little arteries to try and help it out or something?
Needless to say, this is all rather scary! The specialist has him booked in for surgery in early December. Triple bypass and heart graft sounds like the sort of thing I'd have expected to be required with much urgency, but I assume it can't be quite that bad if they're letting him out rather than keeping him in and operating sooner?
There is absolutely no experience of heart disease in our family, so I've not really got any points of reference. Can anyone shed some light on how serious this is, what sort of impact it's likely to have and the like?
Went through double by-pass some 22 years ago, (and still here), and had two stents fitted about 9 years ago. Recovery in both cases was solid and fairly quick - out of hosptal in 5 days after by-passes and two days after stents. He's going to have to take it easy - no heavy lifting or exertion for a while, (whilst the sternum knits itself together again), and he should take gentle exercise every day; walking is good. At 71 I'm guessing he's not running marathons every week or weight-training so impact should be low. He will almost certainly feel better than he has for ages - cardio problems creep up on you, (if you're lucky), or kill you stone dead, (if you're not).
Op is now very routine and if it was urgent then they'd have him in tout-de-suite.
He'll get excellent advice and support and if he just does as he's told then he could well toddle on for a long time yet, (assuming his general health is decent). He will have a brilliant scar down his chest that is something of a badge of honour at the swimming baths...................shows he's a survivor.
It's natural for you to worry but the risk is relatively low and the outcome could be pretty darned good. Just keep it light and tell him he's a lucky old beggar - not everyone gets a second chance. If the whole family is positive then that will help him greatly.
Hope this helps a little.
Op is now very routine and if it was urgent then they'd have him in tout-de-suite.
He'll get excellent advice and support and if he just does as he's told then he could well toddle on for a long time yet, (assuming his general health is decent). He will have a brilliant scar down his chest that is something of a badge of honour at the swimming baths...................shows he's a survivor.
It's natural for you to worry but the risk is relatively low and the outcome could be pretty darned good. Just keep it light and tell him he's a lucky old beggar - not everyone gets a second chance. If the whole family is positive then that will help him greatly.
Hope this helps a little.
My dad is 84 and had a massive heart attack earlier this year. He had been diagnosed with angina [two months prior to his attack] and put on a three month waiting list to see a heart specialist. He had bi-pass surgery at Bristol Royal Infirmary. His heart was in a terrible state apparently.
It is a very common place procedure but age is a significant factor. This is something that the surgeons will discuss with you. The power of positive thought is, however, so very important. My dad is back to his normal, sprightly self now. He was back to normal in a couple of months. He is now looking better than he has done in a while.
I understand your anxiety as it was the most stressful and anxious time of my life. I am certain that with the support and love of his family he will get through the surgery and recovery period with great success.
It is a very common place procedure but age is a significant factor. This is something that the surgeons will discuss with you. The power of positive thought is, however, so very important. My dad is back to his normal, sprightly self now. He was back to normal in a couple of months. He is now looking better than he has done in a while.
I understand your anxiety as it was the most stressful and anxious time of my life. I am certain that with the support and love of his family he will get through the surgery and recovery period with great success.
My Dad had a double heart bypass at 56 following a couple of heart attacks.
The main artery was 82% blocked (they went in planning to do a tripple or quad bypass) and now aged 63 is healthier than ever before.
My Dad's main pain points were his ribs (9" scar down the middle of his chest) where they broke them to gain access and the 9.5" scar down his leg where they removed the veins
Recovery time was quite a while and he found being in the car uncomfortable due to the seatbelt going across his chest. Plenty of gentle exercise. Excluding time spent in hospital due to the heart attacks he had the operation on the Friday morning and was home by the Tuesday afternoon.
Seeing my Dad sat in a chair in ICU on the Saturday morning was an image that will live with me forever (he'd just had the chest drain taken out which apparently wasn't particulary comfortable!)
Routine operation these days, lots of gentle exercise afterwards (no heavy lifting or putting your arms above your head for a bit) and he'll be as right as rain before you know it.
The main artery was 82% blocked (they went in planning to do a tripple or quad bypass) and now aged 63 is healthier than ever before.
My Dad's main pain points were his ribs (9" scar down the middle of his chest) where they broke them to gain access and the 9.5" scar down his leg where they removed the veins
Recovery time was quite a while and he found being in the car uncomfortable due to the seatbelt going across his chest. Plenty of gentle exercise. Excluding time spent in hospital due to the heart attacks he had the operation on the Friday morning and was home by the Tuesday afternoon.
Seeing my Dad sat in a chair in ICU on the Saturday morning was an image that will live with me forever (he'd just had the chest drain taken out which apparently wasn't particulary comfortable!)
Routine operation these days, lots of gentle exercise afterwards (no heavy lifting or putting your arms above your head for a bit) and he'll be as right as rain before you know it.
My Dad had a triple heart bypass about 10 yrs ago. He's now in his late 70s, still working, going on holiday 3 or 4 times a year and his personality has changed for the better. I think that following the heart attack, he realised what the important things in life were and he's a much happier man. Physically it didn't take him too long to recover and considering how invasive the surgery, they had him up and about very quickly. Aftercare was fantastic and the changes that he made to his lifestyle have been for the better.
Soovy said:
Will make a new man of him. Worry not.
My Grandad had one done a couple of years ago, aged about 65.
He got right into it, made friends with the surgeon, researched the company who were making the valves, and got them to take pictures during the operation and all sorts - he was getting into it with the same interest he took when choosing his next new car!
Its a big op, and he'll have some cracking scars afterwards and a fair recovery period during which he'll hjave to take it easy. But - they know what there doing and its pretty common.
I'd say, if hes anything like the kind of personality my Grandad is (I.E. hes the kind who'd fit right in at a Pistonheads meet) then it really helped him by asking all the questions, and doing the research, not being a wimp about it but ermbracing it. Learn the medical science and technology behind it - its fascinating.
As above though - it made a new man of him, and a few years down the line he might be all present up top but he's fit as a fiddle, goes stomping off like a 21yr old Squaddie when we go out walking.
Dont worry.
ETA - Having just re-read the topic - notice the common theme between all of us who've experienced it. Your old boy will be fine
Edited by snotrag on Monday 11th October 14:22
Just to add to the comments above, my father had a double bypass around 12 years ago, when he was 62. He is fine now, and other than having to take a couple of tablets everyday, is at fit and healthy as can be expected for someone in their mid 70s.
Picking up on a comment from Pmanson, the chances are high that you will probably feel worse than he does at times. Seeing my father as soon as practical after he was released back to the wards after his operation was possibly one of the most horrible sights I have seen. It is a routine operation and dozens are done every day, but also it is quite a brutal operation and the body does take a pounding (as you would expect after your chest had been cut open with a circular saw). Therefore if I can give any advice, it would be to think very carefully about whether you want to see your father immediately after the operation. I was warned that he wouldnt be in a great shape and it would be better to wait until the following day, but given i had been away in Canada when he was taken in, i wanted to see him as soon as possible on my return. As suggested, when I saw him the following day, he was well on the way to recovery, but that initial sight of him will live with me forever.
Once he has recovered, he will find new friends being part of "the club". My father, when on holiday, has had random people come up and point to his scar, and then show him their matching one. It is a kind of secret handshake for bypass people. Although my dad says, he strangely never gets the same offer from females who have had the operation
As per the other comments, I am sure your father will be fine. My dad had his first heart attack about 10 years prior to his bypass, and the level of technology increase and level of care between his two stints in hospital were immense. I would imagine procedures (and hence success rates) have increased again in the 12 years since my father had his op.
I wish you and your father all the best.
Picking up on a comment from Pmanson, the chances are high that you will probably feel worse than he does at times. Seeing my father as soon as practical after he was released back to the wards after his operation was possibly one of the most horrible sights I have seen. It is a routine operation and dozens are done every day, but also it is quite a brutal operation and the body does take a pounding (as you would expect after your chest had been cut open with a circular saw). Therefore if I can give any advice, it would be to think very carefully about whether you want to see your father immediately after the operation. I was warned that he wouldnt be in a great shape and it would be better to wait until the following day, but given i had been away in Canada when he was taken in, i wanted to see him as soon as possible on my return. As suggested, when I saw him the following day, he was well on the way to recovery, but that initial sight of him will live with me forever.
Once he has recovered, he will find new friends being part of "the club". My father, when on holiday, has had random people come up and point to his scar, and then show him their matching one. It is a kind of secret handshake for bypass people. Although my dad says, he strangely never gets the same offer from females who have had the operation
As per the other comments, I am sure your father will be fine. My dad had his first heart attack about 10 years prior to his bypass, and the level of technology increase and level of care between his two stints in hospital were immense. I would imagine procedures (and hence success rates) have increased again in the 12 years since my father had his op.
I wish you and your father all the best.
Just resurrecting this thread to say thanks for the helpful and reassuring comments above. My dad, 65, is due to have a triple heart bypass tomorrow following his angiogram results last week.
He has not had a heart attack or angina as far as he's aware, simply had some chest pains so went for a test. Doctors say his heart is very healthy so should recover well. Hoping for the best.
He has not had a heart attack or angina as far as he's aware, simply had some chest pains so went for a test. Doctors say his heart is very healthy so should recover well. Hoping for the best.
ChrisMCoupe said:
Just resurrecting this thread to say thanks for the helpful and reassuring comments above. My dad, 65, is due to have a triple heart bypass tomorrow following his angiogram results last week.
He has not had a heart attack or angina as far as he's aware, simply had some chest pains so went for a test. Doctors say his heart is very healthy so should recover well. Hoping for the best.
As I said before, it will make a new man of him. Try not to worry, it's pipework!He has not had a heart attack or angina as far as he's aware, simply had some chest pains so went for a test. Doctors say his heart is very healthy so should recover well. Hoping for the best.
Soovy said:
ChrisMCoupe said:
Just resurrecting this thread to say thanks for the helpful and reassuring comments above. My dad, 65, is due to have a triple heart bypass tomorrow following his angiogram results last week.
He has not had a heart attack or angina as far as he's aware, simply had some chest pains so went for a test. Doctors say his heart is very healthy so should recover well. Hoping for the best.
As I said before, it will make a new man of him. Try not to worry, it's pipework!He has not had a heart attack or angina as far as he's aware, simply had some chest pains so went for a test. Doctors say his heart is very healthy so should recover well. Hoping for the best.
Best of luck for a speedy recovery
Oops! I never actually came back onto the thread to say how my dad's procedure went!
They opened him up for a triple bypass, but decided they might as well do all four whilst they were in there. He was looking better than he had before the surgery within 2-3 weeks of it, and is now looking better and fitter than he'd probably been for 10-15 years.
They opened him up for a triple bypass, but decided they might as well do all four whilst they were in there. He was looking better than he had before the surgery within 2-3 weeks of it, and is now looking better and fitter than he'd probably been for 10-15 years.
ChrisMCoupe said:
Just resurrecting this thread to say thanks for the helpful and reassuring comments above. My dad, 65, is due to have a triple heart bypass tomorrow following his angiogram results last week.
He has not had a heart attack or angina as far as he's aware, simply had some chest pains so went for a test. Doctors say his heart is very healthy so should recover well. Hoping for the best.
Fingers crossed all goes well, I had my quadruple bypass twenty years ago on the 9th of this month, it will change him mentally if nothing else he'll be more laid back I know I have been for the last 20 years. He has not had a heart attack or angina as far as he's aware, simply had some chest pains so went for a test. Doctors say his heart is very healthy so should recover well. Hoping for the best.
Give him our regards
I must say after reading this and doing a bit of research I'm much more calm about this than I was last week, as is the old man.
Fingers crossed he will be fitter than ever in a couple of weeks time. I suspect he will be more relaxed and attempt to live a healther lifestyle from now on...
I give it a week before he is back on the Vino
Fingers crossed he will be fitter than ever in a couple of weeks time. I suspect he will be more relaxed and attempt to live a healther lifestyle from now on...
I give it a week before he is back on the Vino
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