Triple by passs and heart valve replacement on the radar. Any advice?

[Budweiser John]

OK now, at 74, I've never considered my self old. However, the good GP doc recently suggested I see a cardiac specialist. Well fast forward several months and several diagnostics culminating in a heart Cath, the cardiac guy casually says, yup, minimum triple by pass and while we're in there we'll replace the left Heart valve too....
Holy crap! So, may be 10# on the portly side, retired, active, and no previous cardiac issues. Bottom line, no amount of 'Drano' can dissolve the blockages so the "big zipper" is on the schedule in the next several weeks.
Not exactly a tractor carberator question but anyone out there care to weigh in on having the procedure? I'm not terribly obsessed about the process as our local hospital has done several thousand since 2002 with a 98% success rate, but it's the forced inactivity afterwards that will drive me crazy. I don't do daytime TV.

B John

 

[CajunRider]

Don't know what to say other than offering the fact that my Father In Law had his quadruple bypass at 75 and is now 92. He is still able to walk around and do things.

Take care.

 

[mddorange]

John, sorry to hear about your upcoming surgery.

My much younger, 59, brother-in-law just had that operation and spent 3 weeks in the ICU trying to breath afterward. Of course he is a chain smoker and probably had asthma but was never diagnosed with it.

I pray that yours goes much better.

 

[turnkey4099]

My wife had 2 valve replacements, no bypasses and had no problems at all except for the blood thinner. I didn't realize she was having problems managing prescriptions and she wound up in ICU with a coumadin overdose problem. That blood pressure prescription is CRITICAL. Make sure you follow it religiously. You'll be in for many doc visits to check the level.

As for the acitivity. Follow orders and I am sure that they will include activity, worst thing we old folks (I'm 84) can do is just sit on our rear doing nothing.

 

[TXCYCLE]

Hello John, sorry to hear about your "summer interruption" as I called it. I had six by passes and a pace maker put in June 15. Like you it was a total & I do mean total surprise. I'm in good shape, active, non-smoker, no family history. The doc said I was just the 'lucky one".

Here's what I went thru and still dealing with almost a month later:

1) it's a tough, tough surgery. Hard on the body, hard on you mentally.
2) I had complications to deal with-you may or may not have some of the same ones, all surgeries and procedures and doctors are a little different and of course you know that.
My two biggest issues were/are temporary paralysis, numbness, & tingling in my left arm and hand. They say it's temporary and will eventually go away but there was some nerve damage done and nerves are slow to heal evidently. It's getting a little better every day.
3) They took grafts for the jumps out of my right leg-that's been my biggest issue and complaint. it was very swollen, bruised and painful as heck the first two weeks, I could barely get to the bathroom and that was with a cane. (it's now in the closet and can't come out)

And that was my issues. No chest pain from the split breastbone & incision, no other problems at all. I feel great and walking half a mile twice a day. No shortness of breath or tiredness like before.
I've lost 25 pounds, went from 190 to 165, no appetite & just about all food taste horrible. it's getting better though & ice cream is still great.

Would I do it again? I honestly can't say a month in-it's still fresh on my mind of course. The doc said he wouldn't guarantee me living to a 100 but mid-eighties are very doable. Since he gave me less than 30 days when I went in last month that ain't bad. By the way, I'm 60. My next steps are to get released to drive next week, than off to a near by cardio rehab gym for a month or so. You will get a longer list of don'ts than do's I promise. Don't plan on doing much or lifting much or reaching up for at least 90 days. Go eat a steak. Drink a malted beverage or two or three.Total recovery around a year according to my guy.

Good luck, God Bless & ping me back or PM me for a phone# if you want to talk more.

Larry

 

[dmccarty]

A family member in their late 70's just had triple by pass 6-8 weeks ago. They are doing well but tired and BORED. They can do some yard work now but not has much as they used to do, and since they never watched much TV, they are bored. I forget the length of recovery but it is a long time and so far, so good, except for being tired and having nothing to do. Seems to me it is a pretty serious surgery and the trauma will take some time to heal but the fact that this is "routine" is amazing to me.

They are hoping that they will be cleared to travel soon so they can go off and visit family which should help with the boredom.

Another family member had the surgery in their mid 60s and lived another 15ish years with pretty decent health until the last 6-12 months. It was hard to believe they had had the surgery once they had healed.

Good Luck,
Dan

 

[RNeumann]

I'd get a second opinion. If the cath didn't work I understand. Typically the valve would manifest itself in some way (tired, out of breath, doc hears it etc). I'm not saying your doc is off- not my point at all. But open hearth is open heart and worthy of someone else telling you their opinion. Remember doctors PRACTICE medicine. It not all black and white.
As far as after- you will definitely be laying low. Trying to open a sliding door will hurt. Mowing the lawn won't be happening. You wont be able to drive till the sternum and ribs heal up a bit.

Btw I love the stat 98% success rate. They never define success though. I'd be curious to hear the doc's explication of success.

 

[rekees4300]

I'm not terribly obsessed about the process as our local hospital has done several thousand since 2002 with a 98% success rate, but it's the forced inactivity afterwards that will drive me crazy.

Something else that might drive you crazy is the cost. Best guess is in the $300,000-$400,000 range. If you just have Medicare, you will be responsible for 20%.

 

[Bird]

I had the triple bypass on 2/4/16 (just after I turned 76). I went to physical therapy 3 days a week for a couple of months, but it wasn't nearly as bad as my recent shoulder replacement. But no valve replacement, and no complications.

 

[wawajake]

Something else that might drive you crazy is the cost. Best guess is in the $300,000-$400,000 range. If you just have Medicare, you will be responsible for 20%.

Holy Crap ! $$$$ ..........and that is why I live in Canada , I had a heart ablation procedure ten years ago, minor compared to what you folks are talking about, had to wait a few months to get in but free . I don't know how you folks deal with the stress of having health concern costs hang over your head..........sorry for post digression!