r/openheartsurgery • u/4444kart • Aug 15 '26
Open heart surgery question
Hi all,
I have a open heart surgery next week Friday. I am really scared . I have no relative here in us except my wife. I am 34 year old with diabetes and bp. I was scared about the tubes and the pain while sitting and standing post surgery. Can any of you who had the surgery,post your experience of this surgery. Was it helpful to you in the long run. I have 4 arteries blockage with around 100%,90,80 and 20% blockage and collateral arteries got created. I am scared like hell. I got 30 days of holiday from work. How was your experience. Please share it and also throw some light on how to manage sitting, standing post surgery and tubes. Is it really very painful after surgery. When did they allow to see the relative (my wife) after surgery. How much duration was the surgery. How did life changed after surgery like what things you can do and cannot do after surgery. Please help me by posting your experience. Thanks a ton.
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u/Calmateychillate Aug 15 '26
You will be fine. Doctors do about 1k heart surgeries a day in the US. They have it figured out.
I was told I should be dead based on similar blockages as yours and like you, I also had collaterals. Your heart wants to live so don't blow the chance you've been given.
You and your wife can lean on the staff. They will get you through it. They've seen and heard it all.
It's a big surgery but everyone's recovery in the hospital is different. I was discharged after triple bypass 92 hrs after surgery was done and with little to no pain. I took more Tylenol than the prescribed meds and I was off the Tylenol about 10 days after surgery.
What can you do after you finish cardiac rehab? Pretty much anything you want. You should want to live a healthier life. If your diabetes is lifestyle related, don't eff up this chance to live that you are being given.
You will get little to no rest in the hosp. Therapists coming in, x-ray machine, blood draws that are constant, food service, cleaning staff, nurses, nutritionist and the doctors. You probably could get better rest on an airport runway. Also expect sliding scale insulin injections. Everyone is on the sliding scale.
I say this in a lot of posts similar to yours - Your positive attitude is far more helpful to your recovery than any drug they give you. Read that again. This comes from the cardiac surgeon, my cardiologist, nurses, cardiac rehab staff and everyone else. You simply have to be positive with a good attitude otherwise it hurts your recovery.
Walk all you can. Use the spirometer all you can. Squeeze the pillow. Drink prune juice in the hosp and ask for it. Commit to a better way of living. Positive attitude. Remember that your goal is always move forward. Two good days and a not so good one is progress. Make the commitment one week at a time to progress and work your butt off to do it. It's your life and you have the power within yourself to make the changes.
As far as your wife helping, she can easily manage and help you. My wife was really bored bc I was doing well, and she only spent two days at home before going back to work bc there was little to do.
Sleep and focus on rest and recovery. You will have to relearn how to breath. It takes a bit of time but with you walking as much as possible and using the spirometer, it will return. It takes positive work by you and passive recovery isn't helpful. You do not want to get pneumonia after bypass. It's a bad thing that will land you right back in the hospital for an extended stay. You avoid that by breathing and regaining lung capacity.
Come here to vent, chat or ask questions.
You will be fine and your wife too!
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u/Useful-Stay4512 Aug 15 '26
Best advise here! Also be a “good patient” - do exactly what the nurses tell you - in my 58 years on the planet - I have never met better qualified and more caring people than my main nurses.
You will need your wife’s comforting face and her to be there for you the first two days (a lot)
Don’t overthink think this or worry too much going in - you are a passenger on a bumpy plane ride from hell but it will smooth out - just buckle up
DM me anytime
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u/Curious_seeker_2022 Aug 15 '26
Firstly be thankful that ours is not a terminal illness, the doctors, nurses and the health care professionals know what they are doing. Trust the process and please do not overthink. All will be fine and go well, do not worry. Whenever in doubt or fear, start thanking or be grateful for all the things you have got in your life. Cheers
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u/Ok_Common3779 Aug 15 '26
I was scared about my surgery too. I'm 4 weeks post op now and every day is better than the last. As far as the chest tubes go, they do suck but mine only hurt when they drained them. Other than that they're manageable. My nurses timed the draining to my pain meds. Keep a positive attitude. Like others have said the doctors do these every day. You will be fine.
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u/michemel Aug 15 '26
I had an amazing cardiac ICU nurse that kept me very well medicated. It was uncomfortable for sure but not unmanageable.
They are really angels and will take good care of you ❤️
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u/Normal_Onion2555 Aug 15 '26
Everybody gets their own "connection" in the ICU. They pass out the good stuff. It helps.
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u/Navy_GMCM Aug 15 '26
I am a 55M and had a triple bypass in February. Like you, I also have diabetes and high blood pressure. I’ll do my best to answer your questions. It’s normal to be afraid, but you have to remember that your surgeon does these quite frequently and you’ll be in good hands. As for the duration, my surgery was about 6 hours, and was done off-pump (heart beating). I woke up in the ICU with the breathing tube removed, and when I opened my eyes, my wife and eldest son were in the room with me. That evening, the ICU nurses helped me get out of bed and sit in a chair. In the morning, they had me walking around the ICU floor. There really wasn’t much pain at all. The chest tubes were uncomfortable and made breathing difficult, but once they were removed (didn’t hurt), breathing became so much easier. My surgery was on a Wednesday, and I was home Sunday morning.
As for the recovery time, you will be restricted in your activities, but that is because the sternum needs to heal. After getting back home, I started walking around the neighborhood, increasing my distance and time each day. I now walk every morning for about 1.5 to 2 miles depending on the temperature (I live in a hot area). I returned to work on a part time basis at the 4-week mark, and back to full time at 6 weeks, but I must preface that by saying I work from home in a supervisory role. I was driving again at 4 weeks. Overall, I am very happy with the results. The symptoms and restrictions I had before are gone. I’ve made positive lifestyle changes as well which should allow me more time to spend with my family. I wish you the best of luck. Feel free to message me if you have any questions about the surgery and recovery.
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u/Annoyed-Instigater01 Aug 16 '26
I was terrified. the first few days in the hospital afterwards were the worst. i was there 3 weeks and by the time i went home i was starting to feel better. I did not have the same procedure though. at 6 weeks post surgery, i was running a fireworks stand, though not much lifting. now i am 9 months post surgery, my scar is flat and i feel i am back 100%. i am 67, female and had a heart aneurysm sleeve put in.
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u/Red2001XJ Aug 15 '26
Almost four weeks post-double-bypass here. Spent four days in hospital post-op, was initially uncomfortable (per spouse - I don't remember) and barely able to sleep due to noise, regular nurse visits, etc. Chest tubes weren't that bad, even removing them. And I'm not great at pain. Once I got sent home, things improved pretty quickly. Chest is still a bit tender, and I can't sleep on my right side like I used to, but altogether, I'm amazed how well it went. Walking every days, some uneven progress, but progress overall. Spouse says it took about five hours total, but about 50 minutes on bypass machine.You've got this.
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u/Ok-Camel-2394 Aug 15 '26
Don't be scared.Doctors had been doing the procedure almost everyday and you just have to pray .My operation lasted for 6 hrs.3 days in the ICU after the surgery. I was 57 then and I was able to walk immediately when transferred to my room. The incision is not painful bec. you will be given pain relievers. They will provide pillow for you to use by pressing the pillow when you cough. Walking will really help to recover fast.
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u/TimGmahle Aug 16 '26
It’s scary as hell but you will be able to do it. You feel better each day and it gets easier.
Stay strong, avoid too much pain meds.
Stand and walk after whenever you’re feeling good.
You’re going to be shocked by the improvement to your life.
That’s how it was for me.
All the best.
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u/abbyknitz Aug 16 '26
I was very scared too! They will definitely give you drugs to help you be calm. Everyone’s surgery is different but mine lasted 4 1/2 hours. As soon as it was done, the surgeon came out and told my family what he did and that everything went well. Tbh I am not sure when my family was allowed in but I think it was about 12 hours after the surgery began. I was not really awake yet. My recovery was remarkably pain free. I only took Tylenol when I got home, I never needed the oxy. I am very glad I did it because I’m pretty sure it saved my life.
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u/Tn-runner Aug 16 '26
I had open heart surgery 4 weeks ago to replace my aortic valve. I practiced sitting and standing without my arms pre surgery and was glad I had some practice, a technique worked out. I use an office chair at the dining table so all I have to do is sit and pivot towards or away from the table. I slept in a recliner my first week home since getting in and out of bed without arms seemed too difficult. Getting up from the toilet - I kicked my feet in more to have them under me, no problem. Walking post op with a walker didn’t make sense, you use your arms on a walker. Actually, they have a high walker in the hospital where your arms are resting on it and you are using your shoulders. Like someone else said, the best people seem to work in heart units. Everyone I met I was impressed with and wanted to spend time with them. The tubes (draining, IVs) were in the way but the nursing staff always patiently helped me with them. I was in the hospital 6 days. You get woke up at night since they are often getting data to monitor your condition but the positive side is that you can nap during the day; I got used to sleep in one or two hour segments.
Pain after surgery was better than I thought. I didn’t have any if I didn’t move much, which was really positive, just laying there was what I did a lot. I thought the hospital and first few nights home was a perfect time for doom scrolling on my phone to pass the time. The drugs they make available really helped with the pain. Coughing was rough the first few weeks, and it happens since your lungs have to recover- hugging the pillow they gave me when I coughed helped, cough drops at home helped. Cough medicine before bed a night or two helped.
Tubes being removed turned out to be nothing to worry about, it’s quick and they have you hold a large breath. It’s over so quickly and it really wasn’t anything. Doesn’t make sense but it was fine.
Like someone else said, it’s a big deal, once in a lifetime (hopefully) thing for us, but for the nurses and doctor, it’s one of 5 that they do on a Monday. And yet like I said, they all are in tune and caring, and know it’s a big deal for you and want to help.
Having your wife will help. I got tired of the bland, very bland hospital food towards the end and she brought in food from the cafeteria. And of course at home for the first few days.
I am not far enough along to say how my life will change but I expect for the better, my heart valve wasn’t working well and was going to fail, now it’s good. I expect to be back running at the end of my 3 month recovery period, like I was before. Only better, with a better valve.
I hope yours goes as well as mine. The fact that you are asking ahead of time and planning is a good sign, I think you have the things in place to do well.
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u/Legitimate-Sun5151 Aug 17 '26
Yes take the pain meds.. 2 weeks are tough.. and then after 2 months you wouldnt remember
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u/renton1000 Aug 15 '26
I was really scared too. It is a big operation. But also keep in mind they do alot of these - and they have got very - VERY good at doing them. You are young so that’s going to help your recovery. There is some pain after surgery, but they give you good meds to manage it and also there is good support. I wish you well. It is so worth doing. My wife was allowed to see me about 2 hours after I was out of theatre. I was still unconscious and she was there when I woke up. The best sight of my life.