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.
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,
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.
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
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.
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.
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!
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!!
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
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 *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.
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
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.
Simulpost.
Thanks, Veb. You’re such a peach.
When the pin is pulled, Mr.Grenade is no longer our friend.
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:::
Yee-ikes…I meant to say, yer Heart is a beautiful gleeful cantankareening lilting unspeakable piece of work…
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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