Bypass Surgery Complications

My wife, 40 and diabetic, recently had quadruple bypass surgery.  About 1 week after she left the hospital she began to experience pain.  She had what they described as a bleeder from near the graft site of her left breast that was draining into her lung.  Emergency surgery corrected this problem.  While still in the hospital, she began to have more difficulty breathing.  She ended up having more surgery, this time they did the incision on the right side through the ribs.  Significant inflammatory tissue (described as very angry tissue) was removed.  They said it was like her lung was wrapped in Saran Wrap.  Cultures were positive for infection (enterobacter?).  Now we are home and recovering once again, but concerned that we were given no reasons for these complications and worried what might happen next.  Yesterday at an appointment with a Nuerologist, he said he was concerned about Cerebral Artery Disease??  They are keeping a close eye on her, but wht else should I be asking?  Thank you.

[CCF-M.D.-MJM]

Hello,

I am sorry to hear that the surgery had some complications.  

It is tough to put an exact reason on why a complications happened.  Anytime we perform a procedure there are risks for infection and unfortunately, reoperations increase that risk.

It is important to continue your course of antibiotics and until your doctos say you can stop.  Watch for symptoms of fever, redness, feeling more tired than normal (either a failure to improve from surgery or a regression in improvement).  If you have concerns, call your doctor and be persistant if you have to.

It is not surprising that a diabetic with coronary artery disease had cerebral artery disease.  The key now is reducing her risk of progression with tight blood sugar control, no smoking, watching diet and exercise, controlling blood pressure.  Unless there is a contraindication, she should be on an aspirin, statin and possibly an ACE inhibitor.

I hope this answers your questions. Good luckand thanks for posting.

[Fran71]

I wish you and your wife the best of luck.
Hang in there.

Fran

[Tony985]

A related discussion, breathing problems was started.

[Tony985]

A related discussion, breathing problems was started.