My Dad has to have a double bypass. He is 84, and as his cardiologist says "in really good shape" I was wondering what to expect in terms of recuperation and such. Anyone personally effected by this procedure?? I'd just like to get an idea of what to look forward to. He's a pretty hard headed guy and will want to get going soon afterward. Any input would be appreciated.
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"I'd love to stay and chat, but you're a total bitch!" Stewie Griffin
I personally haven't experienced it. But I know people who have (family members and patients). Basically he will be very weak and they will restrict him from lifting anything heavy for awhile. He'll probably be in post-op for a couple days considering his age (maybe, maybe not). But the prognosis is good. Bypass surgeries are performed with very good results these days.
The good thing about getting going soon afterward is they will want him to do the same (as far as ambulation goes). Walking is encouraged as soon as possible after surgery to prevent blood clots from forming (thrombolism) and breaking off (embolism).
The other thing they'll be focusing attention on is the site of surgery. They'll need to make sure it's a well approximated suture (closed together real well), and they will be concerned with infection so he may be on antibiotics prophylactically (for preventitive purposes).
Also, they'll probably put a catheter in him, but this is usually the case with anyone going into bypass surgery. This will be discontinued when he is able to ambulate to the restroom.
Other than that they'll want him to follow a strict diet low in saturated fats and cholesterol.
Hope some of this helps! I wish him a speedy recovery!
Thanks, A. Up until 6 months ago, he was walking 2x 45 minutes a day. We also want to relieve some stress that is in his life now. His wife is about to be diagnosed with Alzheimers' That's what wethough was bringing on the chest pains. She is being taken care of by her daughter now.
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"I'd love to stay and chat, but you're a total bitch!" Stewie Griffin
Wow, I'm sorry for him. I've seen a lot of families having to deal with the stresses of a loved one having Alzheimers (I work in a nursing home). It's a good thing that her daughter is looking after her, I know how hard it can be.
Let me know how everything turns out with your father!
My Dad had his surgery. Turns out it had to be a Quad. Bypass! His prognosis is good, but at his age, the first 24hrs are crucial. Probably won't get to speak with him 'til tomorrow. He had his surgery at about 10 this A.M. He's a tough guy, and other than this, is in really good shape.
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"I'd love to stay and chat, but you're a total bitch!" Stewie Griffin
OOG - Best to you and your Dad.
My Dad had it 3 times - quad, quint, and another quad. The last one was bypasses of some bypasses. Back when he got them, after the initial healing, he went back to being pretty active. Each time lasted about 4 years before the Angina symptoms returned. My Dad had a blood problem where his body manufactured 3-4 times the normal cholesterol and triglicerides.
Again, hope everything progresses good.
Originally posted by OtherOldguy: My Dad had his surgery. Turns out it had to be a Quad. Bypass! His prognosis is good, but at his age, the first 24hrs are crucial. Probably won't get to speak with him 'til tomorrow. He had his surgery at about 10 this A.M. He's a tough guy, and other than this, is in really good shape.
Does your dad live in Montreal and, if so, which hospital is he at?
I saw my Dad today. He didn't want vistors yesterday. He was too "Out of it". He looks really well. He was sitting up, and quite alert. He's still groggy, of course, but he still manages to crack a few jokes. He seems in really good spirits. He should be out of the hospital early next week and into a convalescent hospital for a minimum of 15 days. I hope his wifes' daughter can get her into a home. Just being away from her has really helped my Dad. He was putting a lot of stress on him in the last year or so, and I don't think it helped. He worrys too much about her and doesn't realize there is not much he can do to help her. Now he has to worry about himself, which he is.
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"I'd love to stay and chat, but you're a total bitch!" Stewie Griffin
I saw Dad today with my sis. She got a call from him saying that the nurse was worried about him not walking would cause fluid in his lungs. It was probably a scare tactic. Yesterday he didn't want to do anything. We got him up a couple of times with the walker, and now he has the confidence to try it himself. Yesterday was rough in the morning for him. I think it was the meds. The seem to be wearing off a bit. Yesterday when I was there, he was talking about where his will was and all that stuff. It was quite upsetting for me. However my sis went in the afternoon and said he was much better. Today was a marked improvement. Tuesday he is supposed to be moved to the chronic care hospital for minimum 15 days. If he has even a slight temp they won't let him out.
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"I'd love to stay and chat, but you're a total bitch!" Stewie Griffin
I'm glad he is doing better now. What the nurse said about fluid in the lungs probably was a scare tactic but a real one. He needs to get moving. Fluid can very well build up. For what he is going through, it is normal for him to be discussing his will and stuff like that. I know it's upsetting, but he will get better.
TG is right. The fluid accumulation they're referring to is pneumonia and it occurs often enough in the elderly post-op when they stay in bed and limit their movements/activities.
It's good that he's taking the initiative to try and get up with the walker himself.
You must be anxious to have him out of the hospital. Even if it is to another wing (chronic care) it's better than the surgical staging area (or wherever they have him now).
Dad has been in the convalescence home since last Tuesday.(Aug 2). Already he has been taken twice to the local hospital. First he had water on one lung. Apparently a complication of the surgery. Today, he went again. We still don't know why he was sent this morning though one Doc, explained that maybe he had another Heart attack! They were/ are going to do 2 blood tests. The first one was negative, but borderline.(WTF??) A lot has to do with his wife who, at least, now has been diagnosed with Altzheimers. The problem with my Dad, and like a lot of us I am sure, he worries too much. I know he has to, but he doesn't listen when he is like that. We try toi tell him to take one day at time, but you can see his mind just turning and thinking about way too far into the future. He wants to go home when he is all better and that is fine! But I keep telling him if he wants to, he will have to be 100%, and that he probably won't be able to live with his wife anymore, 'cause they can't take care of each other. At least my Dad will be able to take care of himself. It's getting frustrating! My Sis is sick (Cold), and my Dads' Stepdaughter is getting there from the F$%^ing stress! I'd like to ask his present Doc. at the convalescence home if they can give him something to relax. I'm starting to babble. I'll keep you up to date!
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"I'd love to stay and chat, but you're a total bitch!" Stewie Griffin
Sorry things don't seem to be going too well. Sounds like he has a lot going on. I can see why it is upsetting to him. Being in a hospital doesn't help with the thinking part either. Not much else to do but sit there and think. I've seen a lot of elderly patients get depressed in recovery. Just try to be there for him as much as possible. My thoughts are with you and your family.
Thanks, T.G. I know things will fall into place. It's the trying to convince Dad that now matter what, they will both be taken care of. Whether they are together or not, If they live together they will probably end up killing each other. It didn't cause this, but the tension between the 2 brought it to the forefront, so to speak.
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"I'd love to stay and chat, but you're a total bitch!" Stewie Griffin
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