I just thought I would post a few words about my situation just in case it might help someone else. I know that reading messages here was a great comfort to me in the first weeks after surgery.
Last week I had my 4 month anniversary of my emergency 6x bypass surgery. I feel better now than I have felt in several years. I have been fairly successful at changing my horrid, bad-eating, sedentary lifestyle. I exercise regularly now, walking mostly, and I have learned how easy it really is to have a healthy diet. Giving up all those greasy cheeseburgers and pizza and french fries, etc. is not all that hard. Just like the guy on those commercials, I have found Subway to be a great place for lunch, but I may sprout wings if I eat any more turkey, hehehe.
I have lost about 25 pounds so far, but I still have another 50 to go before I reach my goal. As long as I pursue the slow and steady course I am on now, I know I can get there.
It has certainly not been a bed of roses. Like most, I had my bouts with depression in the early weeks, as my own mortality and the consequences of my lifestyle slapped me in the face, but it does get better. It truly does just take time. I found that learning as much as you I could about everything related to my situation has been a great help and the internet is a fantastic place to find nearly about anything. I did not have the luxury of knowing all the
details of what I was going to experience beforehand, since my surgery was performed the same day after they discovered 90% blockage in my left main during a cath test. But this site and all the other great sites that many here suggested have been of great benefit.
I just wanted to say thanks to all that helped me here, and to tell all those facing bypass surgery that life can truly start again, and though there will be some tough going, life can be fun again.
Smiling Jim
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Jim,
My name is Lynn and my husband had 4x bypasses 3 years ago. He is once again going back to his bad eating habits and not caring if he gets any exercise either. I guess he has forgotten what these bad habits did to him in the passed. So I now really worry that we will be experiencing the surgery again someday. His saying is, " It took 40 years to put my arteries in that shape, it will take another 40 to clog them again. So, I guess what I'm trying to say is, you have a great attitude and sounds like that hard hit really made some sense to you and you don't want to go there again. Keep up the good work and you will stay healthy and feel better for a long time to come.
Lynn
The driving was not too bad, though turning corners did give me a little twinge, so I took it a lot slower than normal at first. As others have said, the problem is the other idiots on the road running into you! ;-) But yes, the real point is to not get into an accident and have that air bag explode into your chest or the seat belt pull too tight and cause trauma to the still-healing sternum.
Lynn,
That phrase sure reminded me of my saying "It took me 44 years t clog my arteries now I ma good for 44 more." Wrong!! I really did modify my lifestyle but would always cheat "a little." Started to get angina 7 years later and in 10 months went for 2nd CABGX5. When I finally got over some depression "can't be going thru this every 8 years" decided to do everything possible to modify lifestyle and prevent recurrence. Gave up red meat and most dairy products and started to eat healthy. Took up long distance cycling and liked so much did over 5,000 miles most years. Today I am nearing 14 good years post 2nd CABG and although recently I had angioplasty on 1 graft I still feel much better than before surgery. I feel it is foolish to undergo this surgery and not do things to prevent recurrence. You only get so many chances.
Harry K
Hi everyone,
My name is Laura and I'm 47. I had my quad in Nov. and have been back to work for about 2 months. I happen to work where I had my surgery which is nice. I'm doing well except for some sternal pain and being depressed. I get emotional for no apparent reason and it's sometimes frustrating. I'm not sure if the realization of what was done to me has really sunk in even when I look at my 10 1/2 inch scar. Anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks,
Laura
I was fortunate in that my hospital group has recognized depression in CABG patients for a long time. As a result, they had set up a study on post CABG depression and I was asked to participate. I went to a psychologist for 12 weeks that was only working on depression in patients who had gone through the CABG. She really helped me think things through in a different manner and it was such a relief to know that I was going to have someone to talk with about it twice a week. It is pretty normal to have the depression. Some can work through it on their own and others have to get medical help. I also take an anti-depressant but I had been on it prior to the surgery for some time.
It is perfectly normal to be pretty emotional after surgery. Our body and our mind has just gone through a lot. I had my triple back in 2004 and I am finally to the point where I manage my emotions most of the time. I do have some memory issues from being on the bypass machine but it is more of an inconveience than anything. I have some pain/numbness in the left chest area where the mammary artery was used. It is from nerve damage. Nothing severe now though like right after the surgery.
All in all I have done pretty well and am able to lead a fairly comfortable life. If you have any questions let us know. We will be happy to give you our side of things but we also advise you to check with your doctors. Have a great day and again welcome!
BARB12