I need heart surgery.

[WallyM7]

A triple by-pass.
I just got the results after going through a stress test, an echo scan, nuclear imaging and an angiogram. One artery is completely blocked, a second is 80% blocked, the third is 30% blocked.

I have an appointment with a heart surgeon next week to set a date for the operation.

I'm okay with it, but my wife and kids are in a bit of a tizzy.

Has anyone here had this procedure? What am I in for? Length of recovery? Lifestyle changes?

I suppose I'll get more info from the surgeon, but I'd like to hear from my fellow dopers. My friends are my age (50) and none have had it done, so any information you can share would be appreciated.

[CanadianSue]

Wally, I know absolutely nothing about it, but I'm sending you my good thoughts and wishes!!

------------------
We are, each of us angels with only one wing,and we can only fly by embracing one another

[fuzzy-wuzzy]

Wally, I'm sorry that you have to have this. But it's wonderful what doctors can do now. It is about a six weeks to three months recovery time...depending on you. After the surgery you will be encouraged to start walking to build up your heart. Do it. It makes a world of difference. Having to have this surgery doesn't mean that you stop living, if anything you increase your life. You will have to change your diet probably. But I know several several people that have had it very successfully and they live a very happy active life right now. But please don't put it off.

------------------
"Do or do not, there is no try" - Yoda

[Jodi]

Best, best, best to you and your family, Wally. It may be of dubious value to you, but I'll say a prayer for you. Assuming that wouldn't actively offend you. If it would, I won't. (You never know, around here.)



------------------
Jodi

Fiat Justitia

[UncleBeer]

Wally, I'm sure you have probably already done a web search for information, but here's a couple links anyway. I know only one person who underwent this surgery recently. The father of a friend of mine had a triple by-pass about two years ago. He had been an avid skier for about 50 years and finally his health had deteriorated to a point where he was unable to ski any longer. He said that within several days of the procedure he felt better than he had in 10 years. The gentleman in question is about 70 years old now and back on the ski slopes and enjoying it well enough to have bought a new condo in Golden, Colorado.

While the procedure is serious, it's pretty darn successful and can actually revitalize your life.

I'm wishing you the best of luck and the finest surgeons available.

From the Cardiovascular Institute
http://www.icorp.net/cardio/articles/bypass.htm

From the American Heart Association
http://www.americanheart.org/Heart_and_Stroke_A_Z_Guide/bypass.html

[BunnyGirl]

Wally, glad to hear you're getting things taken care of, even if it means surgery.

Many good thoughts your way! and your families too!

[Coldfire]

Wow. A few weeks ago, I thought I might start a thread just like this one.

I just underwent a full cardio investigation a few months ago. I have a slightly irregular heart rythm that is checked out periodically (say, every 5 years or so). The stuff freaks me out everytime. I just KNOW that my heart isn't the strongest part of my anatomy.

For some reason, the evidence is against me - luckily. All scans, measurements, what have you, all say the little f***er is beating as good as new - it just FEELS different to me. The only thing that came out of the last investigation was: "You have a slightly high cholesterol level. Oh, and please stop smoking". Which I did.

So no real worries here. But to some extend, I know what it is to be unsecure about your heart. You only have one, right?

WallyM7, the best of luck to you. You are one of the most inspiring people on this board (well, in a corny, one-linerish way ;) ) and I am planning to enjoy your posts for a long time !

And for what it's worth, the triple by-pass you descriped is supposedly a rather drastic, yet relatively risk-free operation. At least, that's what they've always told me.

Once again, best of luck pal. The e-mail adress is right under your nose if you wanna talk or have questions.

Cheers,

Cold

------------------
Coldfire
________________________________
"You know how complex women are"
- Neil Peart, Rush (1993)

[Polycarp]

Wally, without you, who could I play the "can you top this" one-liner game with? :)

The operation is a very serious but quite standard one. Expect to be weak and to feel substantial chest pain (but not angina) afterwards -- having your breastbone broken and your chest surgically dissected is not a bit of fun. But you should come out of it feeling much more "lively" after a short recovery time. Walking, as noted, is a good move...a cardiac exercise program, if available near where you live, is even better, IMHO.

A useful link, despite the offputting title and intro., is the following from LDMB invasion days: http://www.straightdope.com/ubb/Forum7/HTML/000896.html Manhattan hijacked the thread, and I and Sue (Majormd), among others, added comments.

[kellibelli]

Oh my god wally!
ohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygod!

I feel strangely like screaming.Fucking screen is blurry too. Do what ever they tell you to do, be careful.

Oh my god.

IF ANYTHING BAD HAPPENS TO YOU I AM GONNA BE REALLY MAD!!!

You can tell them I said so too.

Oh my god.

[Gazelle]

Way to make him feel better, kellibelli. You crack me up. :)

Wally, my boss had a bypass (just one) a couple of years ago. It sounds scary, but these docs are experts and your surgery will be successful.

But please, please, please, for the love of Pete, follow the lifestyle guidelines they give you after the surgery. You could end up right back on that table again if you don't.

You've got some healing vibes coming from Minnesota, Wally. Everything will turn out fine.

[John Corrado]

Well, no useful information from me, I'm afraid.

I'm afraid eloquence is escaping me today (must be Monday)- so let me just state that my highest hopes and warmest wishes are for you, today. Keep in mind that Letterman's prognosis is good after a quintuple bypass, that George Burns lived another twenty-five years after his bypass, and that if someone who so abused his body with drink and drugs as George Harrison can survive getting stabbed in the chest, you're pretty well safe.

Hell, the fact that Keith Richards still walks the earth probably guarantees that you'll live to be one hundred and twenty.

Besides, the SDMB couldn't afford to lose you. If it did, there'd be a massive civil war as every poster tried to usurp the title of "Best One-Liners" and soon the civil, intelligent discussion would collapse into a free-for-all flame war over who could claim to be your successor. Eventually, Phaedrus would win by having twenty sock-puppets proclaiming his brilliance, and everyone else would leave the board in disgust.

So stay healthy, goddammit.

------------------
JMCJ

Just confirming that my ass is, in fact, the wisest part of my body.

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{Wally}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

[Catrandom]

Yikes! I have nothing useful to add, just my best wishes, Wally. I trust all will go well and you'll be whole and hearty again very soon.

Catrandom

Wally honey, I can't help but wonder if our ummm well, you know, hasn't put a strain on your sweet heart... I promise not to be so energetic in the future!

Ok, I'm being silly (in hopes it puts a smile on your face, if only for a moment). Do what your doctors tell you and you'll come through this better than ever (modern medicine can do some really amazing things these days). Know that I'm sending my very best wishes your way for a safe and rapid recovery. {{{Wally}}} :*



------------------
StoryTyler
"Not everybody does it, but everybody should."
I Spy Ty. (http://sites.netscape.net/storytyler/homepage)

[Arnold Winkelried]

Wally, no first-hand experience here, but my friend's father had a triple bypass and now he's as perky as ever.

The one thing I see working against you is that you're too nice. It seems like it's the mean SOB's that live the longest. Start throwing around some more insults in the BBQ Pit, that might help you.

[okatym]

:::Sending good vibes to Wally:::
I'll think of you and send you a good vibe and a prayer every day till we hear you're better. Then, when you're up to it, we'll have a party for you at Bucky's....
-Katy

[manhattan]

WallyM7 has a heart??? Hmmmph. Woulda lost a bet on that one.

I’m kidding of course.

I haven’t had a bypass (yet), but Poly got most of it as best I can recall from talking to numerous friends who have. While a serious operation, advances in the past decade or so have moved the procedure squarely out of the "settle your affairs just in case" memories that we have about our older generation’s experience with it.

Depending on your general physical condition, you doctor may admonish you to use your new liveliness to a greater or lesser extent in the post-recovery period. If you’re generally sedentary, ask the doc about the risk of overextending yourself after the post-op pain has gone. You don’t want to get a bypass and a back operation in the same year just because you started feeling peppier.

They are getting so good at this that you probably won’t be in the hospital for more than a couple of days, so you probably won’t need wireless internet access to keep up with the boards (which is really the important thing, no?). Just schedule the surgery for a Friday, and you’ll be back on-line by Monday.

All the best.


------------------
Livin' on Tums, vitamin E and Rogaine

[Yue Han]

Ye gods, Wally. Since you were first accused of sucking up to me by Shpaiers, with your beautiful follow up to my Palidors bashing post, to your usurping of the Dark One's sig, through the constant barrage on smart-aleckiness, you have been one of my heroes here.
Get well, man, get well. We need you.

--John

[Persephone]

I opened this thread, and the first words out of my mouth were a bit too strong to type in MPSIMS. Wally, you know you're one of my faves, and you're in my thoughts. After you recover, we'll start a new Guy Stuff thread--a really tame one, with no smoking and no drinking. ;)

------------------
"The quickest way to a man's heart is through his ribcage." --anonymous redhead

[Mullinator]

Hey Wally. Awfully sorry to hear that news, just remain positive and calm. Doctors really do know what they are doing.

Yes, I am only 24 years old but I have also had heart surgery, but a completely different kind. I had what is known as Wolfe-Parkinson-White syndrome (WPW). Affects about 1 in 10,000, and of the affected only 1 in 10,000 need surgery.

Long story short, it basically means you have extra electrical nodes (I only had 1) in your heart. So, instead of the electrical charge going from top to middle to bottom, it can start cycling in the middle to the tuneof 300-600 beats a minute. It is often triggered by heightened heart rate, so the fact that I was an athlete playing on a major level made it all the more dangerous. Thankfully, I never had symptoms, it was discovered during a routing NCAA physical. During the procedure, they had to induce a heart attack to find the node, then zapped it using fiber-optics. I have no scars and was actually able to start reffing games 3 days later.

While mine may not have had the recovery time yours will require, I do understand the feeling of going into surgery. If you have any questions, feel free to write.

------------------
My sig line is currently unavailable. Please check this post in 1 hour when we resume our broadcast day.

[Dirty Devil]

Good luck, dude. You seem like a pretty tough guy. I'm sure you'll come out of it better than ever. Just don't worry and stress over it. And best wishes to your family, too. It must be really hard for them to have to face this.

[Demo]

Wally, best of luck to you. I'm one of those people that do nuclear scans. Actually, right now, I am doing only cardiac nuclear scans, working in a cardiology clinic. I work with patients going through similar situations every day. My experience with patients who I see before bypass surgery and after, for follow up, has been that almost %100 of them feel and look better, and are much more active and happy people. Someone here said,
Having to have this surgery doesn't mean that you stop living, if anything you increase your life.
Which is quite fitting and true, from my experience. I also recommend you follow the advice of some of the other posters who mentioned staying on a diet and following a cardiac rehabilitation exercise regime, both of which should be under supervision of a qualified cardiologist, obviously.

Wally, looking forward to hearing more of your posts. Keep us informed on how you are doing. Oh yeah, one other thing, keep a hold on that little huggy-pillow they give you. From what I understand, it eases the pain significantly.

[Shayna]

I also don't have any first-hand personal experience, but I wanted to wish you well.

It's my understanding that, although serious, this surgery has become so routine that it's almost not risky anymore. (At least that's what I heard a doctor say on a newscast talking about David Letterman's surgery.)

You've got a lot of people here sending positive thoughts your way. I'm sure everything will turn out fine. Sincere good wishes for a speedy recovery.

------------------
"How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world." - Anne Frank

[Sylence]

Everyone else has pretty much said it, Wally. You'll be fine. My father had a mild heart attack last summer and now he's doing better than he was before.

Just remember to walk a couple miles every day and you'll be fine.


-- Sylence

------------------
I don't have an evil side. Just a really, really apathetic one.

[Harmonious Discord]

Just stick to the doctor's instructions after the surgery. Change your diet and do the excercises afterwards. My dad ate what ever he wanted after the surgery. His arthritis kept him from doing the exercises.
He's dead. You definitely have to change your life style or the surgery gives you a couple years at best.

[Globe-trotter]

Wally, all the best to you and your family. My dad was supposed to go in for surgery and when he got there, the doctors realized his arteries weren't blocked anymore. (Were they blocked in the first place? The jury is still out on that one!)

I wish you well!

[Minxsmom]

Wally, best of luck to you. I just know that everything will turn out great and that you'll be better than ever in no time. Hugs to you and your family.

On the bright side, you'll need some recovery time. No going to work, no stressful activities, so, you can stay here and play with us all day long!!

[psycat90]

You'll be fine Wally. Thanks for sharing with us. I'm just gonna repeat what everyone else said, follow Dr.'s orders and all that jazz. All the best. xoxo

------------------
Always be ready to speak your mind and a base man will avoid you.
-William Blake

[WallyM7]

Wow, what a great bunch of cyber-pals!

Thank you so much for your good wishes.

I've been cruising the net and have spent quite a bit of time at tha links UncleBeer provided. Thanks, Unc! First order of business: know your enemy.

I've also had to spend some time on the phone, as my wife and daughter had the need to tell [i]everyone<i/> in town about this.

I'm not afraid. The cardiologist told me that the failure rate (read death) of this procedure is less than 1%. Those odds are a hell of a lot better than the ones they gave me in Vegas.

Don't worry! Everything will be fine.

(Thank makes 51 times I've said that today :))

------------------
When the pin is pulled, Mr.Grenade is no longer our friend.

[TVeblen]

Wally, I'm so glad they caught this in time to fix it! What a blessing. While the surgery is no fun, being pampered and waited on is pretty cool, not to mention having umpteen good years left.

The bad news is that you'll be in for an uncomfortable time for a bit, but the excellent, most wonderful news possible is that you've found it and we'll have you around for a lot longer.

Beaming all good wishes to you and your family. You're one of my favorites here, and I can't imagine it without your pithy, funny, slightly skewed comments.

Hey, is there any way we can send flowers, CD's, ridiculous cards, etc. to you? Could there be a clearinghouse or "email central" so we could get tangible "picker uppers" to you?

Thinking of you with fondness, my friend.
Veb

[WallyM7]

Jodi, dear heart, how could I be offended by someone that would take the time to say a prayer for me? I may come off as an atheist sometimes, but I'm not.

I'm one of those radical free-thinking loose cannon Catholics.

Once again, thank you for your concern and kindness, and I do hope that someone who's had this procedure posts here.

And I hope that my favourite cyber doc Sue has some words of wisdom.

Don't worry! Everything will be fine. :)

------------------
When the pin is pulled, Mr.Grenade is no longer our friend.

[WallyM7]

Simulpost.

Thanks, Veb. You're such a peach.

------------------
When the pin is pulled, Mr.Grenade is no longer our friend.

[elelle]

Wally, from what I've seen here, is a beautiful piece of work, beyond that ol' muscle thang!

My Dad had this surgery two years ago and is doing beautifully.

I'd like to add, start now in getting plenty of rest and taking care, and letting your loved ones take care, of you. This will help to give you extra strength for the successful surgery. :) :) :)

:::rips up card:::

[elelle]

Yee-ikes...I meant to say, yer Heart is a beautiful gleeful cantankareening lilting unspeakable piece of work...

[Sealemon88]

Wow. That's some news, Wally. I'm glad the problem was found BEFORE something happened.

I wish you the best, mon.


Keep us updated, OK?

------------------
You say "cheesy" like that's a BAD thing.

[renaissanceman]

Wally,
You got the right idea... "Know thine enemy". Get familiar with all aspects of your situation. Find a support group with similar diagnoses and sift through everything you can find on the subject.
I've had 2 major surgeries with 6 week rehab & physical therapy each time. One of the best things I did was this: Following your doctor's recommendations, do all you can to prepare yourself physically for the stress of surgery. This pays off with faster recovery times.
Above all, maintain a positive and cheerful outlook. Look around and see how lucky you really are. This will help you immeasurably. Keep us all posted. We'll be pullin' for you.

[kellibelli]

Um, Wally, I have a bit of an 'thing' with surgery....
Can you do me a favor? Before they put you under, get a marker, and write "DONT CUT HERE" on all you parts, arms, legs, forehead,penis (write small), pretty much everywhere...OK?

Anestetic freaks me out.

[Kvallulf]

Well, my father had it done over ten years ago. He took it really slow after the surgery. Simple things like walking to the bathroom drained him of energy, but, he did make it, and is still going strong today. I am just getting over a broken sternum, and since that is what they will do to you as well, I will tell you about that. IT SUCKS! Breathing hurts, coughin, sneezing and yawning are big time no-no's. just getting up to go to the bathroom is a major undertaking. It gets better, by week two you should be able to move and sleep. I found myself sleeping most of the time sitting up. All in all, 3-4 weeks and you be almost as good as new.

[Northern Piper]

sorry to hear this Wally - best wishes, and I'm sure it will go fine.

------------------
and the stars o'erhead were dancing heel to toe

[chief]

my dad had surgery about 9 years ago, and since then he completely changed his lifestyle (lots of cardio exercise, much better eating, meditation, etc..) and hes healthier than ever.

try to be positive and you will get through it, even though it is difficult.

good luck with everything..

------------------
Chief's Domain - http://www.seas.ucla.edu/~ravi

[techchick68]

Wally,

Hope all goes well, I am sure us SDers will be here not only for prayers and general good vibes, but to brighten your day a bit while you are in recovery!

Keep us updated and I will say a little prayer for you :)

Well, hell & damnation.

Here I was all set to tell Wally to be sure & smuggle a magnifying glass into the OR so the surgeon can find his heart, when he has to go & call me his favourite cyber doc. Geez. {{{{{{{{{Wally}}}}}}}}}}}

Wally, the decision to do surgery vs. less invasive procedures like angioplasty, stent placement, & roto-rooting is a) outside my area of expertise, and b) way outside the advice from an online friend category. If you have concerns, questions to ask your docs are:
1) Will this surgery help me live longer?
2) Will this surgery help me live better (reduced chest pain episodes, increased activity level)? Then, if activity level is the major benefit, ask yourself if you plan to take advantage of it.
3) What risks factors got me here? Are there nontraditional risk factors that might apply to me? Low HDL levels, high insulin levels, low B12/folate levels with high methyl-malonic acid levels, chronic inflammation/occult infection are all candidates for this role.
4) If you smoke, QUIT NOW!!! Get whatever help you need (patch, Zyban - talk to your cardiologist about the patch since nicotine could trigger angina, though it is no less harmful than the nicotine in smokes), but quit now. Even 1 week off cigarettes substantially improves lung function & lessens your chances of having to stay on a ventilator for a long time or getting pneumonia. Just do it.

Oh, and once you're in the hospital, be a jerk. ;) If you think something was supposed to happen & it didn't, ask about it. Ask what the pills are & what they do. Trust, but verify, is a good philosophy in health care. Sometimes meaning well isn't enough.

Take care of yourself. This fellow loose-can(n)on Catholic is sending radical prayers your way.



------------------
Sue from El Paso

Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted.

[PurpleCrackwhore]

Best wishes to you Wally. I am glad they found it before something more serious happened.

------------------
I really try to be good but it just isn't in my nature!

[Shirley Ujest]

Wally, ask your surgeons these two questions:

1) Where did you graduate in your class.
2) Will I ever play the violin again. :)


Educate yourself on the procedure and recovery and talk to others that have been there/done that. Have your family do the same. You certianly don't need them spazing out on you.Tell them you've revised your will and are leaving everything to the Flat Earth Society and your pals at SDMB. That will take their mind off your heart and wonder about your marbles.

Take it easy and before you go into the hospital, eat the last fried food meal, fast food crapfest you can. And promise yourself to eat cleaner and move more once you are up and about. Not many people get second changes like the gift you are being given, young man!

Best of everything to you and prayers for a speedy recovery!

[Shirley Ujest]

Wally, ask your surgeons these two questions:

1) Where did you graduate in your class.
2) Will I ever play the violin again. :)


Educate yourself on the procedure and recovery and talk to others that have been there/done that. Have your family do the same. You certianly don't need them spazing out on you.Tell them you've revised your will and are leaving everything to the Flat Earth Society and your pals at SDMB. That will take their mind off your heart and wonder about your marbles.

Take it easy and before you go into the hospital, eat the last fried food meal, fast food crapfest you can. And promise yourself to eat cleaner and move more once you are up and about. Not many people get second changes like the gift you are being given, young man!

Best of everything to you and prayers for a speedy recovery!

[Shirley Ujest]

Wow, two posts in one minute from me...I'm a nympho poster....

[Ayesha]

Wally,

I have a few words for you,

1- Do what the doctor tell you, not what the voice in your head says. :p

2- I will be praying for you too.

3- You had better lets know how things are going.

4- Sneak into the admins. offices at night and post! Or take a laptop with you!




------------------
Ayesha

[elbows]

Sorry to hear that, my best wishes as well, and while I have no first hand experience with this, I do have a humble suggestion for you. I think you ought to begin a course of visualisation. It's not hard. Picture one small mighty mouse of a creature ( you must attach a physical appearance to this magiacal creature, let your imagination run amok ), flexing, flexing, pumping, getting ready for battle. Picture this little mouse as a general, imagine his army multiply until his number is legion. The general works the army into a lather, and then on a signal the army invades! This army washes over your entire body, slowly from head and toe to meet in your chest. If you can imagine this like a cartoon you run in your head, and use it as a meditation 2-3 times a day. Remember it is all about empowering your army of defence, it's all positive. By the time your surgery comes you should be proficient at it. Once in the hospital, do it often and you will startle the doctors at your rate of recovery. In the meantime it will help to keep you from being overcome from the stress of the waiting. It's just a humble opinion, take it for what it's worth, but it is what I would do.

[Irishman]

Best wishes to you for a swift recovery. Everybody has hit the best advice, but I'll chime in anyway.

One thing to think about, I've heard there's a fairly new procedure (3 yrs?) where they do the operation orthoscopically between the ribs. This means no broken ribs or sternum, meaning less pain, faster recovery, fewer side effects. Discuss this with your doctor.

Also from a guy who's been in the hospital, two things:

First, when they tell you to move around afterwards, do so, even if you feel weak. It is important. It keeps clots from forming and helps prevent pneumonia, I think.

Second, if you have discomfort, or pain, or anything doesn't feel right, don't be afraid to tell someone - like a nurse, or the doctor. I suffered through an unbearable night of fluctuating up and down with chills and sweats - thought it was going to kill me. Probably had a fever from the loss of blood - I was borderline needing a transfusion but we wanted to play safe and avoid getting blood if we could. Anyway, they could have given me something to help. Also known people to suffer through itching like crazy and trying to identify the cause - probably the pain medication, not the sheets.

Keep a positive attitude, smile in your heart. And tell your family you love them, just because.

[Jake]

I went through a quintuple bypass last May at UNC Chapel Hill. The above advice is correct in every account. You will feel better than you have in years. (after you recover from the operation.)Always do what the Docs ask or suggest. Please feel free to E-mail me with any questions. Also, the suggestion about the huggy-pillow is right on!

Jack

[coosa]

Damn, Wally, that sucks. But thank God they found out about your problem before you had a major heart attack.

Make sure you let us know when the surgery is scheduled. I'm not a religious person, so I wouldn't feel right about saying a prayer for you. But I will gather all of my cats together and institute a major purr session, and send all of the happiness and love generated directly to you.

Just think, you'll have twenty happy pussies purring just for you! How many times in your life will you be able to say that?

------------------
Sacred cows make the best hamburgers. - Mark Twain