Well, I am scheduled for a double bypass on Monday. My heart cath showed "significant blockage". I have no idea what I am in for. I do know that I am a nervous wreck though. Anybody got any positive stories they can relate to me so that maybe some of my fears can be put to ease??

Hi Tammy

My case is a little different than yours but hopefully it will help alleviate some of your anxiety. In February of 2006 I underwent a MIDCAB surgery which is a mini-bypass surgery where they go through a small incision under the breast instead of the traditional incision. I did not have to think or make a decision about it because it was done on an emergency basis after suffering a heart attack. It was a life-saving surgery on my LAD artery which had collapsed and was not responding to angioplasty. This same artery was angio-plastied in 1986 and I did well until it finally gave out. I am doing fine now and thankful for every day I am on this earth. Also my dad (now 84) underwent a traditional bypass surgery almost 5 years ago and is doing great, living a full life and taking his brisk walks every day for over an hour. The diet part of the equation for him is handled by my mother, of course.

Since you have time to ponder and think about your surgery, it is quite natural to feel the anticipatory anxiety about it and I have found that deep breathing helps a lot in those situations. Do some research about deep breathing and learn some simple techniques over the weekend. You will find that it will help you cope better before and after the surgery is completed.

I am assuming that the decision to undergo bypass surgery was taken after all other measures were tried i.e. proper medications for blood pressure, cholesterol control etc, as well as lifestyle changes including proper diet, weight control and exercise have been tried. You mentioned that they found "significant blockage" on the catheterization so I am assuming it was severe enough for them to make such a decision. There must have been other factors involved to go that route instead of an angioplasty. However, given all the controversy about the medicated stents lately, it might be a good idea to undergo the bypass and not having to deal with the long-term plavix use that is required after angioplasty and medicated stents implant. Most likely you will still have to take aspirin for life. If you have enough confidence in your cardiologist and trust his/her judgement, then the surgery itself is almost a routine nowadays in the hands of a skilled surgeon. Bypass surgery has a very well documented long-term success rate with relatively low-rate of complications. That long-term success of course will depend a lot on what the patient does after the surgery i.e. all the above-mentioned life-style changes that will prolong the life of those new grafts and prevent re-clogging them with the old habits.

In summary, I would suggest you keep a great outlook at the whole experience and trust that you will be better off after the surgery than you are now. If you have angina pains now, they should disappear and you will be able to perform your daily activities normally. Of course there will be some bumps along the road to your recovery and it will take time to completely heal. During your hospital stay, you will be monitored continuously and will be kept as comfortable and pain-free as possible. Don't be shy about making the staff aware of your needs. Make sure and discuss all the issues and have your questions answered before you leave the hospital regarding what to expect in the period immediately following your release and long-term followup. They should give you a brochure detailing all these issues and they will usually go over them with you. Remember that it will take some time before you start feeling better along the way to a full recovery. Just keep reminding yourself, that this transition period is only temporary and it will be history soon. Anyway, maybe we do need a little hardship and suffering along the way to remind us not to fall back into the old habits that got us in trouble in the first place.

One last thing, when the time is right (you and your doctor will know), I strongly suggest that you join a cardiac rehab program. It is very helpful in
attaining a full recovery and helping you along a new path to cardiac health.

Best of luck to you.