mammary arteries

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F

fcarter

I'm wondering if anyone has some info. on the mammary arteries used for bypass surgery. I had a double bypass and they used my mammary arteries. I am experiencing different feelings in my breast and was wondering if it is normal. There are times when my breast feel numb and cold to the touch (I mean really cold). I am 2 1/2 mths. po and still feeling my sternum and weak at times. Is this normal because it seems like I am really slow at recovering compared to everyone else. When I read about people returning back to work or running a marathon only a few mnths PO it blows my mind and makes me think that there is something wrong with me. Anyway I just rambling and appoligize for that. But if anyone has info. on the mammary arteries I would appreciate it. Thank you, God Bless and Take Care.
F Carter
 
Hi Faye

Hi Faye

Everyone recovers different after VR...You are normal saying you still feel weak after 2 1/2 months..People who go back to work after 6-8 weeks don't stay all day..They work themselves up to a full day. Running a Marathon after a few months..:eek: :eek: :eek: Maybe 2 years.:D :D Bet your weather has played a good part on your recovery. You need to be outside walking in the fresh air..:) :) :) :) I did find for first 2 months (Spring) but drug thru our hot Georgia summer...Are you still on meds? They can play a big role in how you feel. Keep on one day at a time. You will feel better in a few more months. Bonnie
 
wait'll the feeling starts coming back

wait'll the feeling starts coming back

Hi, Faye - I don't know if it's the mammary arteries or the sternotomy. I didn't have any bypass, but about 3 months after surgery the feeling in my chest started coming back in spades! :eek: I guess the nerves regenerate, or residual swelling goes away. If you look on old posts you'll see this is a problem for lots of folks. Mine has never been disabling but it's been bad enough occasionally to require some tylenol.

I would suspect that having the arteries removed would exacerbate the problem. Give it some more time - I suspect you'll have the reawakening soon enough ;) .

As for recovering faster or slower than anyone else, that's so idiosyncratic I'm surprised the docs can even guess. I know I felt pretty good and didn't have problems with recovery, but I ain't runnin' no mile (or around the block) anytime soon. My stamina's not good - but it's MUCH better than it used to be. So I just compare me to me - not to the folks who were probably in much better shape and are much younger and therefore heal better.

Hang in there, kid - and be REALLY glad it's all over.
 
hi faye!
welcome!
joey expected to have an easy, fast recovery, being that he entered his surgery in very good shape.
unfortunately, this was not the case. he had discomfort for several months and when he did finally attempt to play golf, it was not the easiest thing to do.
i think it's important to be patient and not compare yourself and your recovery to that of others.
everyone heals at their own pace.
just try and take it easy until you feel better and stronger.
stay well, sylvia
 
Hello F.C.

I had a triple bypass 4 years ago and one of my mammary arteries was used. My chest felt numb and 'rubbery' for many months (I don't recall how long), but feels pretty normal most of the time now (and I've also had AVR 1 year ago). You may experience some 'discomfort' from where they harvested the artery from your chest until that heals. I don't recall feeling especially cold, but with both arteries used, that may contribute to that condition. In some ways, recovery from my Bypass was more difficult than my AVR. In other ways, recovery from the AVR has been more difficult. The two surgeries were clearly quite different!

You may want to call your surgeon's office and ask his nurse about your observations. My guess is they will say it sounds 'normal', but it doesn't hurt to check it out.

Best wishes,

'AL'
 
Faye,

Faye,

I had my valve replaced when I was 26 and it took me three months before I started feeling better. I couldn't believe how much this surgery took out of me. I slowly built myself up, but it took a long time. Don't give up hope. Each day will be an improvement from the previous day. Just give it time. Good luck.

Gisele :)
 
Keep up a little excercise each day

Keep up a little excercise each day

Hi Faye - I had an AVR a month ago along with a single bypass (they used a vein in my leg), and yes recovery takes awhile. I had some pretty bad symptoms going into surgery, so I'm happy by comparison, but can understand your frustration. Before surgery, I had to take two rest breaks while walking to/from the mail box which is about 1/4 mile. I can do it now in much less time and with no breaks. On the other hand, If I walk a mile, I'm wiped out for awhile, I almost always get a nap in the PM, and my chest is sore about 3/4 of the time. I'm still not lifting much heavy,and can only drive about an hour before getting tired. THE GOOD NEWS is that this will improve a little bit for you every day, especially if you try to get that heart pumping a little with some excercise. Keep doing a little bit every day and in no time you and I will be running those marathons. Chris
 
Faye, I am four months out and still weak and easily fatigued. I get chest pains and occasional palpitations. Healing is slow,slow,slow. On the good side I take a nap every day, walk slower and dont work out when I feel tired. Those golfers and marathoners can do their thing. Just do your thing and dont worry.
 
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