Valve Replacement & Bypass Recovery

[Kennard]

My dad had surgery yesterday for aortic valve replacement and 1 coronary artery bypass.  Surgery lasted between 5 and six hours and afterwards NO ONE came out to speak with the family.  By phone we were told the procedure was over and the surgeon was on his way but he never showed up in the waiting room.  After one hour  we tracked my dad down in the ICU, and were told the surgeon left the hospital and a resident would fill us in with details.  After waiting another half hour, during which time we watched my dad appear comatose, apparently still sedated/under anestesia -- in a coma?  We were not told what condition to expect.  I felt this was cruel, unusual conditions to inflict on vulnerable family members.  I would appreciate hearing some comment from others who've had to endure heart surgery with loved ones.  Is this treatment par for the course in big teaching hospitals?  TIA

[ed34]

I agree that they seem insensitive, they seem to be more interested in giving the details to the patient once they are awake. After my bypass surgery it seemed like i was laying in icu for years with a huge tube down my throat. Unable to speak due to the tube and being told off everytime I tried to move my arms, i was very frustrated. I only wanted to know if it all went ok. I did give them some verbal abuse afterwards because just those magic words "it all went very well", would have made me feel a whole lot more relaxed.

[Kennard]

Another thing, the resident appeared to offer very little information, except -- he did fine.
Has this operation(s) become so routine that it merits so little comment?  As unremarkable as a dental procdedure?  What gives?  Are residents and surgeons in huge teaching hospitals less interested in educating the families than in smaller private insitutions?