Mended Hearts Open Forum

Sheila,

Define recent.  I had quintuple bypass surgery 5 years ago and it was considered pretty routine back then, if you can call any surgery under general anesthesia routine.  The recovery just takes a little longer, especially if you're an athlete, because it takes your sternum 6-13 to fully heal.  Still, I was lifting weights 3 months post surgery.  As far as heart health is concerned, I was walking 2 miles a day within 2 weeks of leaving the hospital.  I was approaching my 68th birthday at the time, so I'm nearly 73 now and about to go to the gym to lift weights, which I still do 4x a week.

If 5 years isn't recent enough, there are people on this site who have had OHS as recently as a month ago, maybe less.  Perhaps you'll hear from them.  At any rate, however routine bypass surgery might have been 5 years ago, it is highly improbable that it is less routine now and most likely as or more routine now.

Good luck,

Ira

Thanks, Ira.  

I appreciate your response and am happy to hear you're doing well.  I do hope to hear from someone who's had OHS in the very recent past.

Sheila

Sheila,

Define recent.  I had quintuple bypass surgery 5 years ago and it was considered pretty routine back then, if you can call any surgery under general anesthesia routine.  The recovery just takes a little longer, especially if you're an athlete, because it takes your sternum 6-13 to fully heal.  Still, I was lifting weights 3 months post surgery.  As far as heart health is concerned, I was walking 2 miles a day within 2 weeks of leaving the hospital.  I was approaching my 68th birthday at the time, so I'm nearly 73 now and about to go to the gym to lift weights, which I still do 4x a week.

If 5 years isn't recent enough, there are people on this site who have had OHS as recently as a month ago, maybe less.  Perhaps you'll hear from them.  At any rate, however routine bypass surgery might have been 5 years ago, it is highly improbable that it is less routine now and most likely as or more routine now.

Good luck,

Ira

Hi Sheila,
I'm 70 yo and exactly 8 months post-op for single bypass.  It was all pretty routine, and I was up and walking the next day.  The biggest gift I gave to myself was to take naps during the afternoons whenever I wanted.  I've always been active, but not an athlete by any stretch of the imagination.  I rarely feel the need for a nap now.  Completed cardiac rehab 1, 2, and 3 and am now (for the first time in my life) a member of a gym where I work out 3x/week.  Had pretty bad anxiety during the months pre-surgery, but talking with a therapist helped greatly (both before surgery and after).  I now meditate daily.  Please let me know if you have some specific questions or issues you are concerned about.  I've kept a small list of "Things I Learned."  I'm happy to share this with you.   (I have no experience with valve replacement however.)
-- Deborah

Thanks, Ira.  

I appreciate your response and am happy to hear you're doing well.  I do hope to hear from someone who's had OHS in the very recent past.

Sheila

Sheila,

Define recent.  I had quintuple bypass surgery 5 years ago and it was considered pretty routine back then, if you can call any surgery under general anesthesia routine.  The recovery just takes a little longer, especially if you're an athlete, because it takes your sternum 6-13 to fully heal.  Still, I was lifting weights 3 months post surgery.  As far as heart health is concerned, I was walking 2 miles a day within 2 weeks of leaving the hospital.  I was approaching my 68th birthday at the time, so I'm nearly 73 now and about to go to the gym to lift weights, which I still do 4x a week.

If 5 years isn't recent enough, there are people on this site who have had OHS as recently as a month ago, maybe less.  Perhaps you'll hear from them.  At any rate, however routine bypass surgery might have been 5 years ago, it is highly improbable that it is less routine now and most likely as or more routine now.

Good luck,

Ira