open heart surgery

[Guest guest]

has been through it 2 times. He also had heart surgery for a clot and a stint was put in (through the groin). He was home after the first surgery (14 yrs ago) in about 7 days. The second time he came home in 4 days. It took him about 2 weeks before he was walking around - standing up straight. Now that is very important after the surgery - standing up straight. It was 6 weeks before he could drive. But he was advised not to drive alone for a while. It is also VERY important that you have a movement BEFORE you leave the hospital! You get backed up very easy, and you DO NOT want to strain. This is very common after surgery (any).

Some hospitals go between the ribs now. It is supposed to be easier. I do not know if they do this in your area or not.

If your insurance allows, have your doctor get you a visiting nurse for the first week or so. An aid to help for the first couple weeks if you can to. By the way - do not rush to use a vaccuum after surgery.:-)

Gail

Open Heart Surgery

Has anyone had any surgery where they split the breastbone? How long did it take to heal from it?Bridget - scheduled for the black and decker surgery in 8 days.Please visit the Zapper homepage athttp://www.ZapLife.org

[Guest guest]

Bridget, I had open heart in 1991. They went in to repair a sizable ASD, I also had some funky dangling artery that they removed. The whole purpose was to try and prevent the arrythmia's that were occuring (sustained v-tach and bradycardia). The surgery went fine, but it wasn't successful in supressing the arrythmias.

I won't lie to you Bridget, the surgery was brutal...although I have said that I would rather go through open-heart again than receive a series of shocks. Thinking back, the first few days post-op were the most difficult. The pain wasn't manageable and I don't do well with morphine. It made me nauseous and I got sick several times before we realized that it was the morphine that was causing it. Having your chest split open and being violently ill--not a good combination!!

Now that I have discouraged and frightened you, let me say this...You can handle this Bridget. I have read your posts and observed that you are a bright, strong, resilient woman. You will look back on this surgery and remember it as painful, but necessary. You will endure and become stronger (I know I sound like a Hallmark card, but it is true).

I was up and about the day after surgery but it took a good six months before I was close to normal. My circumstances were different though. I had just had a baby and my body was going through major changes...I am sure will you recover much more quickly.

I hope this has helped...my apologies if it didn't. Just remember, you have the thoughts and prayers of many "Zappers" and that has to count for something!!

Take care and best wishes,

[Guest guest]

My hubby has been thru it twice also. The 2nd time was rougher because of all the scar tissue. He had his 18 years apart. He was healing better the 2nd time around, although, his heart was sicker. (also, 3 weeks after the 2nd open heart, his heart went into VT, and that is when he ended up with the ICD. ) But that was a year ago, and he is doing pretty good now. His heart is in bad shape, so considering...and with him taking care...he is doing better. try to go in with a good attitude! My hubby is always so upbeat, even with his heart dealings. audi

Open Heart Surgery

Has anyone had any surgery where they split the breastbone? How long did it take to heal from it?Bridget - scheduled for the black and decker surgery in 8 days.Please visit the Zapper homepage athttp://www.ZapLife.org

[Guest guest]

Thanks Audi, I am trying to keep some happy thoughts. And thanks

Gail. I am trying to get a feel for how long the healing time is for

this. I have enough family and friends who are planning to cook for

us to avoid needing hired help. I've been through major surgery

before too (hysterectomy), so we sort of know what to expect. I know

this will be a little rougher than that was, more serious anesthesia

and more imporant parts that have to heal.

I'm going to Cleveland Clinic. I'm sure they doo the through the

ribs thing when they can and I'm equally sure after seeing my echo

yesterday that they need to go straight in on this one. I have an

aneurysm on my left ventrical (the muscle itself, not a vessel) that

is the size of a tangerine. They still don't seem sure why my valve

is acting up, personally, I think it is because the aneurysm has

messed with the shape of the ventricle.

I rarely vacuum. My middle child and my youngest do most of that.

I'm very lucky there. My kids are great about picking up the slack

when I'm down for the count.

Bridget

> has been through it 2 times. He also had heart surgery for a

clot and a stint was put in (through the groin). He was home after

the first surgery (14 yrs ago) in about 7 days. The second time he

came home in 4 days. It took him about 2 weeks before he was walking

around - standing up straight. Now that is very important after the

surgery - standing up straight. It was 6 weeks before he could

drive. But he was advised not to drive alone for a while. It is

also VERY important that you have a movement BEFORE you leave the

hospital! You get backed up very easy, and you DO NOT want to

strain. This is very common after surgery (any).

>

> Some hospitals go between the ribs now. It is supposed to be

easier. I do not know if they do this in your area or not.

>

> If your insurance allows, have your doctor get you a visiting nurse

for the first week or so. An aid to help for the first couple weeks

if you can to. By the way - do not rush to use a vaccuum after

surgery.:-)

>

> Gail

> Open Heart Surgery

>

>

>

> Has anyone had any surgery where they split the breastbone? How

long

> did it take to heal from it?

>

> Bridget - scheduled for the black and decker surgery in 8 days.

>

>

>

>

> Please visit the Zapper homepage at

> http://www.ZapLife.org

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Bridget.

I've had it 2 times. The first time in 84. I turned 36 while I was

under. I was so let down because there were people up to 85 years

old getting around great two days after sugery and I was just barely

walking.

Well, things have changed a lot. My other one was in 91 and the day

after the surgery, I could walk and raise my hands over my head. I

have talked to people who recently went through it and it isn't

nowhere near as bad as back then. So, you will do very well. As

far as healing, it depends on the individual. All of us are

different.

>

> Has anyone had any surgery where they split the breastbone? How

long

> did it take to heal from it?

>

> Bridget - scheduled for the black and decker surgery in 8 days.

[Guest guest]

, you almost sound like my hubby. His first was at age 32, back in 84 also. He did well with that one, but the incisions took longer to heal I think. Things have changed in recovery since, I was amazed at how much faster they had him up and moving this time around..even with more heart problems. audi

Re: Open Heart Surgery

Hi Bridget.I've had it 2 times. The first time in 84. I turned 36 while I was under. I was so let down because there were people up to 85 years old getting around great two days after sugery and I was just barely walking.Well, things have changed a lot. My other one was in 91 and the day after the surgery, I could walk and raise my hands over my head. I have talked to people who recently went through it and it isn't nowhere near as bad as back then. So, you will do very well. As far as healing, it depends on the individual. All of us are different.> > Has anyone had any surgery where they split the breastbone? How long > did it take to heal from it?> > Bridget - scheduled for the black and decker surgery in 8 days.Please visit the Zapper homepage athttp://www.ZapLife.org

[Guest guest]

Back in 1980 I had my first triple bypass. I think they took a poultry

shears to split the breast

bone. When they wired it back they did a sloppy job. The first week

was agony. For the next 6 months

with every breath it went CLICK-CLICK. In 1992 I had another bypass

and that one was a piece of cake.

They sent me home the 2nd day.

Hank

Bridget wrote:

Has anyone had any surgery where they split the breastbone?

How long

did it take to heal from it?

Bridget - scheduled for the black and decker surgery in 8 days.

Please visit the Zapper homepage at

http://www.ZapLife.org

[Guest guest]

>

> I hope this has helped...my apologies if it didn't. Just remember,

you have

> the thoughts and prayers of many " Zappers " and that has to count

for

> something!!

>

> Take care and best wishes,

>

Actually, it did help. I hate going in not knowing what to expect or

being told generalities. I handle pain pretty well actually, so if

that's the hardest part, I should be okay.

Bridget

[Guest guest]

In 1985 after several weeks of investigating strange chest sounds, the good

docs at UCLA discovered a fistula connecting my left coronary artery with my

right atrium. Somewhat rare, but not unique. Dr. Hillel Laks, then the new

chief of cardiac and thoracic surgery there, gave me the option of

corrective open heart surgery (open up the heart and seal off the fistula at

that end and also at the LCA end. the risk was that the procedure would

slow down the blood and perhaps induce clotting and a heart attack. the

other option was a complicated double bypass that would be my last surgical

resort. I took the open heart.

They pried the breastbone apart for the surgery and every time I coughed or

sneezed, I learned to really appreciate the inventor of the pillow. I was

home about four-five days later.

A few days after that I suffered a mild heart attack. (Felt like a belt

tightening around my chest. Not painful and only somewhat uncomfortable.)

the bypass was scheduled immeately (as soon as the anti-coags were purged

from my bloodstream.) that was a scary window of about three days.

Bypass surgery took ten and a half hours due to small vessel connections.

That was not quite nineteen years ago, and I have not needed any other

vessel work since. But once again they had to separate the breastbone, and

my love affair with the pillow was renewed.

In 1998 I SCD'd on the street, was " dead " for about four minutes and woke up

three days later. Lost about one month of memory and a lot of miscellaneous

stuff. Some synapses were just separated and once reminded they

reconncected (things like names and numbers) others connected then

disconnected again. Mostly just embarrassing and frustrating.

last year I had a valve repaired (right side) and my defib replaced. No

breastbone separation. My pillow felt jilted.

As a side note, I accompanied the wife to the hosptal a year or two ago for

her MRI. I was sitting in the room about twenty feet from her and looked at

the door and saw the sign warning pacemaker users (nothing about defibs).

The MRI series only lasted abvout two minutes, and I left the room

immediately. Tech didn't think it was a problem, and my cardio confirmed

that a day later. I still wonder why they would put the warning on the

inside of the room and not outside.

From California where they think a fistula is what makes

when he's mad.

Bill

[Guest guest]

hey shawn,,

only you could come up with " funky dangling artery " . you

always come up with something humerous no matter how serious the

post. dont change a thing..

god bless you lady,

bobby in missippi

[Guest guest]

Hey Bill:

Nice to hear from you Bud. Man I knew you had problems but i didn't know you went to hell and nack. I feel for you bud. I hope all is well now. TURK

Re: Open Heart Surgery

In 1985 after several weeks of investigating strange chest sounds, the gooddocs at UCLA discovered a fistula connecting my left coronary artery with myright atrium. Somewhat rare, but not unique. Dr. Hillel Laks, then the newchief of cardiac and thoracic surgery there, gave me the option ofcorrective open heart surgery (open up the heart and seal off the fistula atthat end and also at the LCA end. the risk was that the procedure wouldslow down the blood and perhaps induce clotting and a heart attack. theother option was a complicated double bypass that would be my last surgicalresort. I took the open heart.They pried the breastbone apart for the surgery and every time I coughed orsneezed, I learned to really appreciate the inventor of the pillow. I washome about four-five days later.A few days after that I suffered a mild heart attack. (Felt like a belttightening around my chest. Not painful and only somewhat uncomfortable.)the bypass was scheduled immeately (as soon as the anti-coags were purgedfrom my bloodstream.) that was a scary window of about three days.Bypass surgery took ten and a half hours due to small vessel connections.That was not quite nineteen years ago, and I have not needed any othervessel work since. But once again they had to separate the breastbone, andmy love affair with the pillow was renewed.In 1998 I SCD'd on the street, was "dead" for about four minutes and woke upthree days later. Lost about one month of memory and a lot of miscellaneousstuff. Some synapses were just separated and once reminded theyreconncected (things like names and numbers) others connected thendisconnected again. Mostly just embarrassing and frustrating.last year I had a valve repaired (right side) and my defib replaced. Nobreastbone separation. My pillow felt jilted.As a side note, I accompanied the wife to the hosptal a year or two ago forher MRI. I was sitting in the room about twenty feet from her and looked atthe door and saw the sign warning pacemaker users (nothing about defibs).The MRI series only lasted abvout two minutes, and I left the roomimmediately. Tech didn't think it was a problem, and my cardio confirmedthat a day later. I still wonder why they would put the warning on theinside of the room and not outside.From California where they think a fistula is what makeswhen he's mad.BillPlease visit the Zapper homepage athttp://www.ZapLife.org

[Guest guest]

> As a side note, I accompanied the wife to the hosptal a year or two

ago for

> her MRI. I was sitting in the room about twenty feet from her and

looked at

> the door and saw the sign warning pacemaker users (nothing about

defibs).

> The MRI series only lasted abvout two minutes, and I left the room

> immediately. Tech didn't think it was a problem, and my cardio

confirmed

> that a day later. I still wonder why they would put the warning on

the

> inside of the room and not outside.

I had a real heart ot heart with a guy who build MRI machines for a

living. It's not that it damages the unit, it's that the magnetic

fields in the MRI are strong enough to make it move.

Bridget

[Guest guest]

I had open heart surgery in 2008 to repair a leaky mitral valve and again in

2010. In 2010 the valve failed and they had to replace it with a pig valve. I

have scoliosis and am probably older than many of you. My last revision was in

2001. I had absolutely no back problems from either heart surgery. The biggest

pain came from my rib cage which was split apart. Just thought someone might

want to know. The open heart surgery was a piece of cake compared to the spinal

fusion.