artery bypass surgery

[RotBaron]

Anyone here had open heart surgery w/ bypass(s)?

My mom has the genes of her mother unfortunately and has been Dx w/ CAD, some stenosis in coronary & circumflex.

Doc tried to place a stent yesterday for 80% occulsion(s), but due to artery anatomy, no "landing zones" were appropriate and stent would be contraindicated.

Dx: multiple stenoses; potential for lateral surgical opening because stenoses are behind heart. The good news: no ischemic or disease areas in the heart; just arteries.

Consult for potential bypasses tomorrow morn; we'll know more then.

Just wondering if anyone personally been through this w/ loved one or themself?

If you pray; we'd appreciate some sent our way.

 

[eddiek]

My wife had a heart attack in January of 2014.  Predisposed to high cholesterol and other medical maladies via genetics.  Had 6 blockages, all of them 90% or more.  Ended up having 5 bypass grafts.  Doctors were surprised that she had so much blockage and a heart attack at her age (38 at the time) and that she survived the heart attack.
Severe post op pain where they cracked open her sternum (still has occasional pain even today, mainly when weather fronts are coming and arrive), and pain in her left leg where they harvested the veins for the grafts.  Still has occasional pain in that leg, with edema, sometimes severe.  The emotional stuff still gets to her even now.  The "I should or could have died" part..........she realizes that the statistics are against her now.  Much better than NOT having the surgery done, but having the cardiologist tell you that even after the surgery was a success, the longest any of his patients had lived afterwards was 18 years, and most former bypass patients average 10 or so years..........yeah, she has a lot on her plate.
Prayers heading your way. 

[RotBaron]

Thanks Eddie. Sorry to hear about your wife's complications at such a young age. I hope she is doing as well as possible.

Thanks for the prayers; sending some back your way too. 

The surgeon we met with today is the Chief at the hospital where this will be done. He was totally confident in her ability to tolerate the open heart bypasses; he's much more concerned about recovery compliance over the 6 months afterward.

Unfortunately he can't do the minimally invasive lateral opening because of the necessity to bypass/join two arteries and along with the grafting done simultaneously.

I guess this is just a different world to me. Even though I'm almost halfway thru nursing school; surgery is another matter, of which we discuss mainly in a text book/perfect world scenario rather than see any of it.

Most interesting thing to me is she is completely asymptomatic; surgeon said, yes for now; feels she will become symptomatic soon and would estimate 6months-1yr before a massive MI if the bypass isn't performed. Says she is not at much risk in the interim of the next couple months, but wants surgery with 6 weeks.

[noman]

To all the people who think it can't happen to you think again. I had my heart attack a year and half ago at age 36. Years of smoking dipping and working the night shift along with bad eating habits contributed to it. But my mom passed away at 42 of a heart attack. #1 factor is family history.
Just follow the doctors orders and do all the therapy they tell you to do.
Will be parying for your wife and you also.

[JimmyD3]

My Father has had 5 bypasses and 8 stints since 1995, now at 85  he is suffering renal failure which occurred in the last 3 months. Up till now he has been doing great.

Your Mom is on the prayer list. 

[RotBaron]

Thanks buddy, much appreciated.

Yes, noman, genetics play a huge role; unfortunately there's little you can do about that other than be very conscious about what your body is telling you.

It's kind of a shame to me that my grandmother, her mother, died of complications from this same procedure done 25 yrs ago and that all the advances in technology, we're still talking the docs doing the procedure in a very similar manner.

25 years. 

[RotBaron]

Wow got the notice that the last post is 30 days old. Can't believe it's time and that its been that long.

If you pray or are spiritual please put some positive energy out there for her.

Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (open heart surgery, double bypass) tomorrow.

Thanks in advance.