Triple bypass and valve replacement

I can't give you any tipsQgran but lots of encouragement. My neighbour had this op done last year 8 months before his 80th birthday and was out of hospital in 6 days. The surgeon said it was a text book case. His recovery was slow but steady and within a short time his wife was having to read the riot act to him to stop doing jobs. Very best wishes to you both for a trouble free experience and a swift recovery.

No advice, *Quiltinggran" but thinking of you both.

Not sure quite how serious this is for your husband, 'Quiltinggran', but my husband had a triple by-pass about 16/17 years ago - and a great deal has improved since then, but his was a great success. He was up and walking within two days and out of hospital within the week. Of course it took him about three months after that to really recover, but there was a great deal of support, and when once he was able to he belonged (in fact I think he started it up with a few friends) a 'heart rehab' group, where they met every week for exercises and exchange of experience - the exchanges were REALLY GOOD. If things are still the same he will be advised on diet and exercise, and of course will continue with drugs to help with the obvious pain. As with all operations it is the internal stitches which take time. We have several people in our bowls club who have had similar operations. We laugh now, because before the operation he was constantly telling me that he could die! After the operation, of course it was all a bit blase-nothing to it, but we were all worried and glad that everything went well, thanks to the National Health of course, and the British Heart Foundation was a constant source of information.

quiltinggran my DH had triple by-pass many years ago and is fine. Lots of people in the same ward were in their 70s and up and about quite quickly. I did notice that on about the third or fourth day after the op my DH was feeling a bit down but I think that it is a common symptom post op and is a result of general anaesthetic. He soon picked up again. He did also feel very cold when he first got home and had to wrap up to get warm but a nurse said it was due to filling the chest cavity with ice during the op (they may not do things the same way now as this was quite a while ago) I hope all goes well for your DH and wish him a speedy recovery. Let us know how he gets on

Good evening quilting. My DH had this operation in April. After spending 24 hors on the high dependency (one to one nursing) he was transferred back to the ward. He had the op on Monday and was discharged on the following Saturday. He made steady progress during that time and was keen to come home, I, on the other hand was a little bit more apprehensive as I didn't know what to expect I'm no Florence NIghtingale! It was all fine and I am still surprised at how quickly he recovered. we spent a couple of nights after discharge sleeping downstairs as he was more comfy sitting up. He was soon back in bed though with lots of pillows to support him.
Hope all goes well for you tomorrow. You will be in my thoughts.

Thank you everyone for all your positive replies, good wishes and for thinking of us. Like you, Juliette I'm no Florence Nightingale and am a bit apprehensive about what after care I shall need to provide. I also have osteoporosis and am a little worried about some of the heavier jobs I shall have to do over the first few weeks/months but I'm sure we'll manage and if some things just don't get done, then it's not the end of the world!
He's not having the op till mid afternoon so I won't have any update till sometime tomorrow evening. Thank you all again

I had the valve op a few years ago, was home in two weeks(different here) and was feeling fine in a few weeks, i had Cardio-physio three times a week which helped.
One thing, they break open the breast bone and it never really heals again, and for the first few weeks i found it very painful. It is also a bit wierd as you can hear it creak when you turn over etc.
I made sure i had some painkillers available.
I have an artificial valve which clicks all the time, now that is really wierd.
I feel well as far as the heart is concerned and the op was a great sucess.

Quiltinggran Hope everything is going ok for you and you are now not so worried. Have been thinking about you.

I hope that all is going well for you and your OH.

Thinking of you

DH had op 26 yrs ago (he was decorating the stairs/landing and hallway 3 months after)!

Thank you all once again for your thoughts. My DH had his op on Wednesday, was in the CCU for a couple of nights and has been up and walking today. They think he could come home on Tuesday or Wednesday if he has managed to go up and down the stairs and to have a shower by then so he should be home by Christmas. WE will be having a quiet Christmas this year! Glad to hear that you were feeling fine within a few weeks of your op felice. I shall be trying to persuade my DH to do the cardio-physio as I'm sure it must help.

So pleased to hear that all has gone well; and good wishes for his very speedy recovery.

The miracle of modern medicine! Wonderful. Good wishes.

Echo what Mishap said. My DH was meticulous in following the rehab programme, think it was eight weeks at a nominated gym. He did everything they told him to and he is more than fine now. Have a peaceful Christmas and of course, a healthy new year for you both.

I am just confirming what Juliette said. Obey the rules, they do know what they are talking about, and if you are concerned, talk to someone. I am sure everything will be fine if you do this, although if you are anything like me, you will be constantly monitoring things - until you get fed up with it, that is! Enjoy your Christmas.