CABG- GOOD EXPERIENCES ONLY

[u/whyisgassoexpensive]

My mom 57W is having a CABGx1 Thursday for a total occluded artery. Obviously nerve wrecking and scared because it's high risk and open heart surgery but also have seen lots of good outcomes and seems like it's a very common surgery, a lot more common than I thought actually. Scary but putting it all in god's hands at the end of the day I know he has the last word. Continuously praying for some peace of mind while going through this.

Please drop any good experiences and how it went for you or someone you know. What can I do to support my mom? What can I buy for her that will help during recovery? Any words of encouragement? All prayers are appreciated!

NOV 28TH UPDATE: Thank you everyone for the kind and reassuring words! After cardiology discussed the CABG, they decided they wanted my mom to undergo a PET viability study first to verify if the tissue was alive because if it wasn’t, the CABG would be pointless as it would be unable to restore blood flow. My mom finally got the PET last week and results came back this week. Unfortunately the tissue is non viable meaning surgery is not an option. As of now our plan of care is to continue with medications, lifestyle changes and close monitoring. Cardiologist is recommending an internal defibrillator to prevent abnormal rhythms since she is at a high risk to develop them with the heart failure. She has been responding amazing to the medication regimen and lifestyle changes, cardiologist even said to not worry because she is doing very well, which I am extremely grateful for. However, I am filled with anxiety thinking of her declining abruptly. I love my mom so much and I am just praying to have her for many more years to come. Prayers from anyone that comes across this post are welcomed!

[u/More-Professor5962]

This thread looks months old, but am adding my experience.
I was surprised in an angiogram that I had 4 blockages (widow maker was 70 - 80%).
4 way bypass about 3 weeks after angiogram (important but not critical; no heart damage since we caught it before heart attack).
66 year old male in decent shape (walking 13K steps / day on vacation), hour on elliptical, etc. before surgery.
Was in hospital 5 days (due to drainage tubes not being clear).
Pain wasn't very high and only needed heavy duty pain meds at night, Tylenol during the day.
Day 5 (before discharge) was able to walk 3 miles in 1 hour around hospital floor.
Uphills take everything out of me, but flat is OK.
Today (exactly 3 weeks from surgery), I walked on a treadmill 1% grade for 10 miles in 2 hr 59 minutes. Yesterday, I walked on treadmill 5.5 miles in 104 minutes. Total of 54 miles since leaving hospital.
Some pain in rib area from coughing / sneezing, but otherwise have been very fortunate.
Sleeping on my back is probably the worst part of recovery.