Recovery after Quadruple Heart Bypass Surgery - Fluid around lungs

[Sherry Berry]

My father had quadruple heart by-pass surgery a month and 1/2 ago. He still hasn't fully recovered. He has been a diabetic since he turned 52.  He is now 67 years old. He has repeatedly had fluid around his lung that has been drained off by his heart doctor, but it keeps coming back. He has trouble breathing and every time this procedure is done, he has more and more liquid drained from his lung. The first time it was 1200 ccs. The second time 2800 ccs. He had it drained again today, and my mother told me that there was even more fluid. My father says that he has trouble breathing and feels like he is drowning in all this fluid. My father has had alot happen in a year's time. He had total right knee replacement surgery in April 06, eye surgery on his one and only eye in April 07 - the other eye is a glass eye due to an old coal mine accident 39 years ago - and a month or so ago this quadruple heart bypass surgery. My thinking is that he is too weak to get rid of this fluid on his own. The doctor said that the next time this happens, my dad will be admitted into the hospital for a couple of days for a procedure where the doctor will drain off the fluid again then put some sort of sealent around the lung so it won't fill up again? (I'm not sure if I'm wording this properly.) I guess, my question is why didn't the doctor do this before now? Is it a risky procedure? Why is the fluid amount getting larger and larger every time?  Thanks for your time, Sherry Berry!

[revolverone]

My wife is only 36 years old and was diagnosed with a vitral valve regurgitation after our 3rd Child was born 9 months ago.  Her heart specialist said she needed surgery to correct the valve.  It really threw us all into a tailspin, but we decided it was better to go ahead and have it done rather than wait.  The operation was performed 5 months ago and was considered a success; however, after that she has been in the hospital twice and had fluid drained from her lungs at least 3 times.  Her lung specialist put her on Pretizone and it helped for awhile, but last month she developed a very very bad cough.  Bad enough to where she could barely speak without coughing.  The doctor put her on antibiotics for 10 days.  Yet, the cough will not stop and now she has alot of swelling in her ankles and legs; which leads us to believe the fluid is back; although her X-ray 2 weeks ago revealed that the fluid had almost dissipated.  I'm very very worried about her -- the lung specialist has mentioned the talc-lung infusion procedure; yet to me this seems like it's treating the symptom, but not the underlying cause.  Is it normal for fluid to be accumulating 5 months after surgery?  Everything I read says it should have gone away by now.  I'm starting to encourage her to see another Cardiologist and Lung Speciality for a second opinion.  Has anyone else had their loved one still having fluid problems so long after surgery?  We're about at our wits end on what to do.

[Britlee]

My dad had quad bypass done about a month ago. he had fluid also and had to be put back in the hospital for a procedure where they take the adhesive seal stuff and it was suppose to stop the fluid from building up. Well here it is two weeks after the second surgery and he still has fluid. I'm not sure what they are going to do next. how many surgeries can a person have to get this figured out. It's a roller coaster ride and I HATE it!

[2romeo]

My sister is 60 years old and had triple bypass 6 weeks ago.  As soon as she got home from the hospital she developed a cough.  The coughing became worse, especially when she tried to talk.   At first her heart surgeron drained a liter of fluid from around her lungs and  we thought she was going to be ok.  Then, the cough returned.  She is now back in the hospital where they had to insert a chest tube.   This procedure was extremley painful.  She has been on the tube for six hours and already has had 3300 cc drained thus far.   The dr said she would have the tube in for at least 4 more days.   If anyone has to have the chest tube it should not stay in for longer than 7 days because an infection will set in.  I pray to God that this procedure helps her.   If the fluid comes back again i dont know what they will do.

[9295]

my father in law had open heart surgery in January and he has had 6 liters of fluid taken off it has been 2 liters every 2 weeks.  his heart dr told him he needs the same surgery they will go in his side and drain and scrap any scare tissue.  they will then take talcom powder and it is suppose to make the lung stick to the walls so the fluid won't continue to fill up in that error.  the dr told him he will be in the hosptial for 5 days or more.  so many unanswered questions.  best wishes for your dad and may God bless you.

[MARITA61]

MY DAD HAD CORONARY BYPASS 8/20/07 [FOR 2ND TIME]; HE HAS BEEN IN THE HOSPITAL FOUR TIMES SINCE THEN TO DRAIN FLUID FROM AROUND HIS LUNGS [PLEURAL EFFUSION]. HE HAD THE PROCEDURE DONE WHERE THEY PUT TALC IN THE AREA TO 'SEAL' THE LUNG TO THE CAVITY SO NO SPACE IS LEFT FOR WATER TO ACCUMULATE AND GUESS WHAT - IT STILL CAME BACK!!! WE ARE SEEING 'THE BEST' DOCTORS AT USC BUT I AM VERY WORRIED THEREFORE I MADE AN APT TO SEE A PULMONOLOGIST ON 1/2. I WILL KEEP YOU POSTED - HOW'S YOUR DAD?
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[Been there, still there]

I had heart bypass about 3 months ago.  I also had to have fluid removed from inside my left lung.  Lasix alone did nothing to alleviate the excess fluid.  I was coughing so hard, I would get sick to my stomach.  I also had immediate difficulty breathing when I laid down.  After draining, I was still having difficulty breathing, so I am in the care of a pulmonary specialist (lung docotor).  I am taking predisone which does help, but I am not breathing as well as pre-surgery.  Cat scan showed no blood clots or any other abnormality.  Asthma drugs (which I never had to take before) offer no relief whatsoever.  All the information I gathered from doctors, the web and persons such as you, leave me to believe that there is no reason why certain people develop fluid or breathing difficulties.  I was on a lung machine for 4 1/2 hours, that is my claim to lung distress.  In the meanwhile, some patients having been drained 2 or 3 times, never get it again and are fine.  Others may get it a few more times, but I was told it eventually goes away after proper care.  Wish me luck!