Anybody had experience with bypass surgery?
 

My dad had a series of mild heart attacks a couple days ago and will be going in for bypass surgery in about 3 hours. Yeah, it's a little scary, and I do appreciate any good thoughts, but that's not necessarily the purpose of this thread.

My wife and I were planning to take my parents on vacation to Washington DC in 18 days. My dad was a social studies teacher and has never been there, so he was really looking forward to it. Obviously, the trip's now in serious jeopardy.

I know that he'll be in the hospital for a week or so, but how long after being allowed to go home is one able to at least get around with assistance reasonably well? I have no issue with pushing him around DC in a wheelchair if I have to, but I'm just curious if he would even be able to handle that 18 days from now.

We'll talk to the doc about it, of course, so there's a chance he'll say "hell no" and this question won't matter. However, I figured I'd see if any of you have had the experience (or been around someone who has) who could give me an idea of what his situation might be like in a couple weeks.

(NOTE: This is a bumped thread for those of you who aren't very observant.)

Cant say ive had much experience with these, thank god. one of my mates dad had a mild one last year. i think he was in hospital for 2 weeks. Good thoughts on the way.

Good luck man,hope everything goes good for your dad

I've known many, many people who have had bypass surgery, Mr. DaFace. It's a very common procedure these days. Your dad will feel like he's about 20 years younger after it's over.

For several weeks after (depending, of course, on how he does), they'll probably recommend that he keep strenuous exercise to a minimum. Even stairs, probably. Much, however, depends on his age, general health, etc.

Best wishes to you and your dad and family.

FAX

Best wishes to you DaFace, hope it goes better than ok for your pops.

DaFace: The best of luck to him. As FAX stated, it's a common procedure these days. Your Dad and your family will be in our thoughts.

Best of luck. It is common these days. My grandpa had 3 of in of the course of 70s-80s he lived to 93.

Hopefully, the surgeon.... luckily the new health care system hasn't taken full effect yet.....

Prayers for your dad and your family. I have had three heart attacks and two surgeries now. I believe the the Dr. will recommend your dad get back to normal living as soon as possible minus any strenuous activity or lifting of anything over 15 or 20 lbs. I don't think he will give the ok to fly quite so soon after the surgery, but if you are driving it should be ok. Your dad will probably have one of two reactions to the heart attack, either he will be energetic, upbeat, and excited, wanting to experience everything life has to offer with a fresh set of eyes. Or he will suffer from a depression over his mortality hitting him square in the face (I still battle this feeling everyday and it has affected me more than I realize) Keep and eye on him, but son't change your plans for the D.C. trip unless doc says so. It would be a great thing to share and he will appreciate it so much more than he would have before the heart attack, will keep the pshychology out of it so as not to bore you, but I think it would be a great thing for you guys to experience together and help him get a positive experience as soon as possible. Good luck and again, prayers for you and yours.

This is very helpful insight - thanks!

This is not. Keep your political bullshit out of my thread.

DaFace,

Best wishes to your dad and your family. I hope everything goes smoothly.

My dad had a quad about 8 months ago. Honestly, I'm not sure that he would have been ready to go out of town that soon, but he had some post-op problems that really came into play. He developed pleural effusion, which is fluid build-up in his chest cavity. It was quite painful, and I think it set his recovery back at least a week, maybe more.

I'd ask his surgeon what he recommends. As someone said earlier, a lot will depend on his overall condition. Best wishes.

My oldest brother had a quad bypass in his early 40's and came through it well. Just retired from long-haul to short-haul truck driver 20 years later this spring. Chiefs1Okie hit the nail on the head, listen to what the MD says, not just about the trip but about rehab/therapy as well.

I don't know much about it, but the father of a guy at work is about to have one done. i'll ask him when he's back in the office and will let you know what I hear.
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Are you at the Kansas Heart Hospital in Wichita? No better place in the country for that to happen.
My father, grandmother and a couple of coworkers have all had bypass surgery there.
Sorry but your trip to DC is probably screwed, he won't be able to travel for probably 30 days or more.
At the Kansas Heart Hospital they've got bypass surgery down but they still have to cut the breast open to get to the heart so he will have to be careful how he moves until his sternum has a chance to heal.
Its scary, I know, but they really do have that surgery figured out.
Possitive thoughts and prayers for you and your father, DaFace.

I know nothing about heart surgery, but my thoughts and wishes for a speedy recovery.

DC will still be there in a few months. For now, there's too much walking (I think, based on my experience with my grandpa) involved for him to have a good time.

Best wishes for your dad's quick recovery from the surgery and lots of healthy years ahead.

Surgery went well. Doc agrees with those here - DC will have to wait. Maybe next year.
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My Dad has had 3 heart attacks (one at 30, one at 33, one at 44). He had quad bypass done 9 years ago in December.

The recovery is difficult at first because he has to rely on everyone for everything. He will need to sleep elevated, he will need help getting out of bed, he will need assistance walking around. He will have to do some sort of lite exercise every day.

It was a long road, but my dad really benefitted from the surgery. It was a slap in the face for him and now he is a gym rat and is eating better and quit smoking.

Good luck to your pops.

My Dad had one done in 1993 at the age of 72. He made a quick, full recovery. The heart didn't do him in, but the cancer did 9 years later.

Best of luck to your Pop's and our prayers are with you and your Dad.

Cool. Glad it went well.

Good to hear.

My Dad had quad bypass about 20 years ago, and he is now 86 fit as a fiddle.
they would have had to do a quad on me, if they hadn't progressed so far with the stints. All the best to your Dad DaFace, like others have said, he will feel better than he has for years.

We are so fortunate medicine has made the progress that it has. My Grandpa died at 71 with the same problem in 63.

1.5 years later, the wife's grandpa has to have the same next Wednesday. He's 82, which obviously makes it a little more nerve-wracking.

I suppose this is kind of what life's like as you get older. Still not a very pleasant experience, though.

Since I bumped the thread, I suppose I'll also mention that my dad's made a full recovery. In fact, we did the trip to DC this past summer, and I think he got even more out of it than he would have if we'd gone back in 2010.

Hopefully the grandpa-in-law will have the same type of experience.

Good luck man. Hope he's ok.
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Shit. Hopefully all goes well. Glad to hear Mr. DaFace Sr is well.

Best of luck to your Grandpa bud. Recovery time may be a bit longer, but he should be able to do a lot more things, once he gets better.

Good luck with the grandpa in law. A guy at work's grandpa in law is about to do the same thing. (I never get tired of that joke.)