0
- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Coaching Changes
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
re: Undergoing heart bypasses and replacing aortic valve.
Posted on 11/1/26 at 9:51 am to sc2anni
Posted on 11/1/26 at 9:51 am to sc2anni
I just had Lima to LAD bypass through a mini thoracotomy by Dr. Papoy at Brookwood on 10/5. I’m 46 and had some hereditary stuff that showed up after a I had a heart attack earlier in the year. No it’s not because of Popeyes, just hereditary issues and what my body does with cholesterol ( total cholesterol was above 200 ever and triglycerides were not elevated). Please feel free to reach out to me if I can help in anyway.
The CICU was very attentive, I had a 5 day stay. They are strict on visitation times so let your family know. Papoy is the man, my case was not the easiest and he was still open to fix what needed to be done. I vetted the surgeon I used and he won out. Now that I’m on the other side I’m so glad I did……..he managed a complexity that most would have had to do a sternotomy to fix. I agree about having the pillow close and coughing while on the meds. Take the miralax they give because the fentanyl will dry you out. Bring some AirPods and phone charger so you can noise cancel and get some rest.
Get ready to look like Mr. Biglesworth off Austin powers, they shave you from the ankles up lol. You got this, great surgeon, great cardiac team, great support. I’ll shoot a prayer up for you.
The CICU was very attentive, I had a 5 day stay. They are strict on visitation times so let your family know. Papoy is the man, my case was not the easiest and he was still open to fix what needed to be done. I vetted the surgeon I used and he won out. Now that I’m on the other side I’m so glad I did……..he managed a complexity that most would have had to do a sternotomy to fix. I agree about having the pillow close and coughing while on the meds. Take the miralax they give because the fentanyl will dry you out. Bring some AirPods and phone charger so you can noise cancel and get some rest.
Get ready to look like Mr. Biglesworth off Austin powers, they shave you from the ankles up lol. You got this, great surgeon, great cardiac team, great support. I’ll shoot a prayer up for you.
Posted on 11/1/26 at 9:55 am to Pepe Lepew
quote:
Purchase a good recliner, slept in mine for months
Seed i9f your doc will scrip it before you go in, that way you will have it in the house when you get back. For some heart, ankles above heart is key at certain times. Ask your doc if this applies to you.
If you can swing it, get the LIFT option. Like seat warmers and rear camera in a car, this is a MUST HAVE once you have it for certain issues.
Posted on 11/1/26 at 9:57 am to ml
quote:
take your BP in your right arm. Valve replacement patients who take their readings in the left arm have incorrect readings
Is that just for valve, or all heart?
Was told to cuff the left, PO the right, at the same time.
Posted on 11/1/26 at 10:05 am to Cheese Grits
My cardio doc has always told me to take it in the right arm. The readings in my left arm are always considerably lower than my right and he said that's because of the valve.
Posted on 11/1/26 at 10:06 am to makersmark1
Thank you for your thorough points on the narcotics, I agree 1000%. Watched too many deflect the pain and have to deal with it for the rest of their life. Just because a doctor is scripping, and not getting from an illegal dealer, does not offer a magic solution. Several suicides I had to deal with later started when folks I cared for got hooked at the hospital.
Been through rehab after, lots of 80 and 90 year old grannies did fine after getting opened up. If they could do it, I feel nothing but good for you, so try not to overthink this and stay positive. Not sure if anybody mentioned this, but heading in and coming out, surround yourself with the positive folks in your life and shut out the negatives. It is one of my BIG 3 to changing the odds in your favor for the big stuff like this.
Been through rehab after, lots of 80 and 90 year old grannies did fine after getting opened up. If they could do it, I feel nothing but good for you, so try not to overthink this and stay positive. Not sure if anybody mentioned this, but heading in and coming out, surround yourself with the positive folks in your life and shut out the negatives. It is one of my BIG 3 to changing the odds in your favor for the big stuff like this.
Posted on 11/1/26 at 11:44 am to sc2anni
quote:
Anyone experienced this who can give me the good and bad of recovery? Very apprehensive
Get a heart pillow that you can hug. That will hurt with chest pain.
They are going to crack ribs and your sternum.
Posted on 11/1/26 at 11:58 am to sc2anni
Mom had that in the late 80s, but she was in bad health already.
A friend had it a few years ago. They didn't have to cut his chest open, more like downhole drilling but through a vein and hanging a valve, per him. The bypass surgery was a decade earlier
A friend had it a few years ago. They didn't have to cut his chest open, more like downhole drilling but through a vein and hanging a valve, per him. The bypass surgery was a decade earlier
Posted on 11/3/26 at 1:36 pm to sc2anni
My second surgery was a port procedure, through about a 4" incision in my right side through the rib cage. Faster recovery but also very sore right under the right scapula as those ribs are still pulled to make enough room for the robotic arm. Also my right lung had to be partially collapsed so I had a little extra respiratory therapy while recovering in the hospital. Just forcing myself to move and push my stamina everyday helped me get back in shape in a few months.
Posted on 11/3/26 at 1:52 pm to sc2anni
Best of luck…
Posted on 11/3/26 at 2:24 pm to dukke v
My thoughts and a prayers for a successful surgery.
Posted on 11/3/26 at 2:40 pm to OlGrandad
Get a second opinion from a reputable interventional cardiologist. Look into percutaneous revascularization and find out why someone else thinks bypass is better.
Also aortic valves can be replaced percutaneously. Ask about a TAVR procedure. My good friend's dad had an open valve replacement, and died at home in his recliner from a PE.
Best wishes to you.
Also aortic valves can be replaced percutaneously. Ask about a TAVR procedure. My good friend's dad had an open valve replacement, and died at home in his recliner from a PE.
Best wishes to you.
Posted on 11/3/26 at 2:42 pm to ml
quote:
My cardio doc has always told me to take it in the right arm. The readings in my left arm are always considerably lower than my right and he said that's because of the valve.
This is not correct. Valves would not cause blood pressure to be lower in one arm. A blockage in the left subclavian artery is typically the culprit when this happens. I'd get a second opinion.
Page 4 of 4
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News