Generally, when one says Triple Bypass, you think of some really cool shock with all kinds of tubes and things dangling off it. However, I picked up a slightly different kind of bypass.
Today marks my 2 week anniversary from being discharged from the hospital. I went in Friday, May 17th, for a scheduled triple bypass surgery.
I have been having some chest pains during/after significant exertion, and have been managing it with rest, and a couple of meds to help open blood vessels (essentially a long lasting nitroglycerin). Because of the potential for additional kidney damage, I was holding off getting a heart catheterization to see the extent of any blockages that might have been present.
In the process of getting established with new doctors in HI, I took a stress test and ultrasound. It did show some blockages. In talking with the cardiologist, it turns out that our island doesn’t do bypass surgery if needed; I’d have to go to Oahu. That made no sense whatsoever to go through all that on another island. One of the (few) disadvantages of island living.
So, I had the catheterization done back here in NY. They paid strict attention to using a reduced dye load to protect the kidneys, and they came through without issue. The catheterization showed about 70% blockage of the LAD (“widow maker”) artery, and 90% blockage of two other arteries.
We discussed stenting (additional dye load during procedure, plus not as long lasting) vs. bypass surgery. Given that bypass is the process when stenting fails, we decided to do the bypass now, rather than having to do it potentially 10 years from now anyway.
Doing the bypass as a scheduled procedure is quite a bit less risk than emergency, so it was scheduled for about a month after the catheterization. I went into the hospital at 6:00am, went in to surgery around 8:00am. Was in ICU by around 2:30pm. Had some minor complications during surgery, but nothing severe.
I became aware of my surroundings around 8:00pm Friday night. My wife was there, and had been there all this time since 6:00am. I still had a breathing tube in, as well as various other tubes, hoses and drains. But relatively soon, the breathing tube came out and I was able to talk.
They had me up and walking the next day. Surprisingly, I didn’t feel horrible, though the chest certainly hurt. My leg, where they took the vein from for the graft was badly bruised.
I was transferred to a standard hospital room at 2:30am Sunday morning. One thing is for sure; you don’t go to the hospital to get any rest. Every 2 hours, someone is poking you for meds, blood work, vitals, etc.
Tuesday, the 21st, I was released home. Recovery has been gone well. I am restricted to lifting over 8-10 pounds, but I am encouraged to walk. I certainly get tired far more easily, but hopefully that will continue to lessen. I started cardiac rehab yesterday, and will do that 3 times a week for the next 8-12 weeks. I’m hoping to weight restriction on lifting will be removed in another 6 weeks or so. It’s to make sure the sternum has time to fuse back together.
So, this surgery has delayed our moving plans for probably a year. In the grand scheme of things, a year delay is no big deal, but I am anxious to get moved and not have to deal with maintaining two households 6,000 miles apart.
Thanks, David
Today marks my 2 week anniversary from being discharged from the hospital. I went in Friday, May 17th, for a scheduled triple bypass surgery.
I have been having some chest pains during/after significant exertion, and have been managing it with rest, and a couple of meds to help open blood vessels (essentially a long lasting nitroglycerin). Because of the potential for additional kidney damage, I was holding off getting a heart catheterization to see the extent of any blockages that might have been present.
In the process of getting established with new doctors in HI, I took a stress test and ultrasound. It did show some blockages. In talking with the cardiologist, it turns out that our island doesn’t do bypass surgery if needed; I’d have to go to Oahu. That made no sense whatsoever to go through all that on another island. One of the (few) disadvantages of island living.
So, I had the catheterization done back here in NY. They paid strict attention to using a reduced dye load to protect the kidneys, and they came through without issue. The catheterization showed about 70% blockage of the LAD (“widow maker”) artery, and 90% blockage of two other arteries.
We discussed stenting (additional dye load during procedure, plus not as long lasting) vs. bypass surgery. Given that bypass is the process when stenting fails, we decided to do the bypass now, rather than having to do it potentially 10 years from now anyway.
Doing the bypass as a scheduled procedure is quite a bit less risk than emergency, so it was scheduled for about a month after the catheterization. I went into the hospital at 6:00am, went in to surgery around 8:00am. Was in ICU by around 2:30pm. Had some minor complications during surgery, but nothing severe.
I became aware of my surroundings around 8:00pm Friday night. My wife was there, and had been there all this time since 6:00am. I still had a breathing tube in, as well as various other tubes, hoses and drains. But relatively soon, the breathing tube came out and I was able to talk.
They had me up and walking the next day. Surprisingly, I didn’t feel horrible, though the chest certainly hurt. My leg, where they took the vein from for the graft was badly bruised.
I was transferred to a standard hospital room at 2:30am Sunday morning. One thing is for sure; you don’t go to the hospital to get any rest. Every 2 hours, someone is poking you for meds, blood work, vitals, etc.
Tuesday, the 21st, I was released home. Recovery has been gone well. I am restricted to lifting over 8-10 pounds, but I am encouraged to walk. I certainly get tired far more easily, but hopefully that will continue to lessen. I started cardiac rehab yesterday, and will do that 3 times a week for the next 8-12 weeks. I’m hoping to weight restriction on lifting will be removed in another 6 weeks or so. It’s to make sure the sternum has time to fuse back together.
So, this surgery has delayed our moving plans for probably a year. In the grand scheme of things, a year delay is no big deal, but I am anxious to get moved and not have to deal with maintaining two households 6,000 miles apart.
Thanks, David
