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upcoming bypass surgery

What can I expect when I wake up from the surgery?  Will I have a  breating tube?  


This discussion is related to Post cardiac by-pass surgery side effects.
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Avatar universal
On pump basically means your heart is stopped while surgery is performed. Tubes are hooked up to your major arteries so a machine can take over the function for the duration of the surgery. Off pump means the surgeon operates on your heart whilst your heart is still beating. Now this sounds strange, you can imagine a surgeon with a needle and thread trying to attach a new vessel on the heart leaping around in your chest. They use special clamps which hold the area being worked on steady. Your heart rate is also lowered considerably. So the pros and cons. Well, research seems to show that patients do better and recover with less problems overal with off pump methods.
They may also be able to do minimal invasive surgery at your hospital, some even have a robot called da vinci which is fantastic. It all depends on the experience, resources and equipment at your hospital.
I would emphasise in your questions to the cardiologists if they can use both your internal mammary arteries, both the left (Lima) and the right (Rima). It is well known these vessels if in good shape will last the rest of your natural life, whereas veins have a shorter life span.
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907968 tn?1292622204
I seen some video's after coming home, fascinating what is done and what can be done.  I don't know if I could have gone through it had I seen them before hand, I would have been terrified!  But having have gone through it I'd have no problem doing it again.  I'd also like to say that not everybody has pain afterwords, I didn't have any!
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Avatar universal
Thank you so much for the information.  I am still waiting for my appt. with the surgeon and with each passing day I become more frightened. What is the difference re on pump and off pump  Should I be asking the surgeon these questions?  I have begun a list of questions that I want to ask him/her. It does not help that, yesterday, I decided to watch bypass surgery on line. I almost decided against having it done but soon came to my senses. Sometimes there is just too tmi available out there.  Common sense tells me that I just have to put my trust in these skilled people.  I know that many people have this done and feel better for it.  I think I am more concerned about immediately after waking re the pain when I wake up and not being able to breath.  Altho' waking up sure beats the alternative.    (:.
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Avatar universal
yes you will, but believe me they are not uncomfortable. It actually feels more uncomfortable when its removed because you have to start breathing all on your own. The tube isn't there for long once you come round, they soon remove it. You will also have a thin wire coming from your chest for a temporary pacemaker if required during recovery. You will have 2 or 3 drainage tubes coming from your lower chest into plastic containers. These are for collecting fluids from the surgery which would otherwise collect in the chest. Once the fluid stops, they remove the tubes which is a relief. The pacemaker wire will be removed at that time also. You probably wont have an apetite for a few days and will be in discomfort, like any surgery there is always discomfort. However, don't just hope the nurses/doctors know, tell them if you need more pain relief.
After four or five days, you will be taken out of the ward by physiotherapists to walk up a flight of stairs. At the top, you will be given something to read out loud, to prove you are not out of breath. If you pass the test, you will be discharged the following day.
On day 2 they will get you to sit in a chair. Many patients climb back into bed when the nurse has gone because they feel too tired to sit up. Breathing exercises are important as is coughing. You will be told to pull a pillow into your chest for coughing. This will ensure your lungs inflate properly and get the relevant exercise. The most important thing for you after the surgery is to have the right frame of mind. Just keep thinking "it's all over now, all I have to do is recover and with each passing minute my cells will be generating repairs". Too many people just think "what did i have this done for". You will notice a small benefit on day 2, and with each passing day you will notice more benefits. Expect to feel slight discomfort in your chest for a year, not three months as stated by surgeons. The sooner you start exercising, such as walking, the better but this should not start until about three weeks after surgery.
Are you having on or off pump bypass surgery? and have they said they will be using the chest artery (lima or rima or both)? arteries last better than veins, in fact they Usually last the rest of your life.
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