My Husband has got to have a Heart bypass has anyone been through this who could give me any advice?

My Husband is 50 and has quite a heavy job My Husband has got to have a Heart bypass has anyone been through this who could give me any advice?
Hi, I am an RN in open heart ICU and recovery. This is a basic of what you might expect:





First, ask the nurses if they have a video of what to expect...


He will not be able to eat the night before surgery.


Labs will need to be sent to check blood type, and other tests.


He may be given medicine before the surgery to relax him.


Depending on how many vessels, and the condition of his vasculature, it could take a couple of hours to several hours to do the surgery.


When he comes back, he will have a breathing tube, chest drainage tubes, and several IV lines that look a bit intimidating. He may look swollen, and recieve blood and fluids in recovery. That happens a LOT, and is expected.


Generally the breathing tube is in for about 4-6 hours after surgery, then it can come out. (providing everything goes well)


He will be allowed ice chips a bit later, then water.


He will be sleepy all this night, and you will need to rest too.


The next day he should get up in a chair, and hopefully be able to leave the ICU in a couple of days.


He will be sent to a step down unit and spend a few more days there regaining his strength.





For you, the biggest thing is to let him rest when he can, and for you to rest when you can too. Get as much info about this before so you won't be surprised. (like a video from the docor or the nurse in the ICU before surgery.





Good luck, and wishing him a speedy recovery!!


My Husband has got to have a Heart bypass has anyone been through this who could give me any advice?
The first thing to do is to just chill and relax. CABG is one the most common surgeries performed. And as a general rule, if your patient is otherwise healthy then the risk of death or major complication should be 3% or less. On the average the surgery takes between one and half to three hours. He'll usually stay in the ICU for the night after surgery, he may or may not have to be on the ventilator for awhile. Most patients go home in four to four and half days. The main thing is why does he have such bad coronary disease at such a young age? If he doesn/t take care of himself now, the odds are he won/t after surgery either. No smoking, eat right, exercise, follow doctors orders with respect to salt, sugar etc.. if he has other problems. The long term success is highly dependent on your husband changing his lifestyle.
Hi there


I had t riple bypass in June this year.. it takes a while but i was back at work within 12wks.. this is not the case for everyone...but my job has changed ..my company have given me a lighter job and less hrs..but hrs will increase thru time..but i still get tired and very depressed sometimes..but this is normal. After a while things become more mental that physical or painful..I understand why u asking this question ..because i felt or still feel very lonely ..not having anyone to talk to about it..the hospitals are great but its not the same.


It will be hard for u as his carer..i know sometimes my hubby get frustrated or down with me..but u will be able to get thru it..now a few mths on.am feeling much stronger in body and mind (well almost).


The operation itself is for one reason and one reason only to prolong his life..and it is well worth it.i got my op on the monday and was home on the saturday..its amazing what can be done these days..i wish you and hubby all the best for the future..xx
about 7 yrs ago, my grandpa had a 6 or 4 bypass surgery, it was kind of an emergency. i was like only 7 but i remember him having to rest for a while and then after he was better he had to exercise alot, he walks on the tredmill still. they took like veins out of his leg and put them in his chest or something. but its a pretty major thing. hope everything goes well and he has a great recovery!
Hi, my dad had this done about 8 years ago. He stayed in hospital for around a week after the op.


After gentle rehab provided by the hospital. He has regained all he had before plus he is 100% fitter... He walks miles every day and has masses of energy. He is 79 now and he says he has the energy of a 45 year old.



I know of several people who have had this done successfully. They did not appear to stay in hospital for very long either. After a few months they were as good as new and continued with their normal lives. Good luck to your husband (and to you) and try not to worry. He will be in good hands.
hiya,my husband had one 3 yrs ago,he has come back a different man.he is a lot stronger,and 10 times better.