OK what all tubes etc should I expect

[john79t]

I know I will have a tube down my thoat, u cath, drain tube or 2, heart moitors, IV drip. when I wake up. Any thing else?

 

[marie]

I was still on the vent when I woke up and I had something in my neck (don't remember what it's called)

By the time you're fully awake a lot of those are out. You'll be OK
Earline

 

[Nancy]

Here's what you'll look like. This is a photo from "The Bum Ticker", a wonderful online book about heart valve surgery written by Steve Goldberger.

http://www.aldgategroup.com/iseeu.JPG

Here's a link to the book.

http://www.stevegoldberger.com/bt/BumtickerHomePage1a.html

 

[kfay]

Yeah, you'll have a central line in your neck and pacer wires as well. That should just about cover it.

Kim

 

[Superbob]

Only one I was worried about going in was the vent, and even though it had to stay in a little longer than the norm, it didn't turn out to be a big problem.

Your count of the others sounds about right, but who's counting when you're having fun? Seriously, you are way more into details than I was, and that's to your credit. But is there something to be said for at some point just relaxing and putting your trust in the medical team you have selected?

Continuing to wish you all the best....

 

[zipper2]

I know I will have a tube down my thoat, u cath, drain tube or 2, heart moitors, IV drip. when I wake up. Any thing else?

"Alot of good looking nurses and Dr's" with lots of experience
so you need not worry about a thing and all those tubes and
iv drips etc some come out, you maynot remember when they
did it.Breathing tube was out of me upon waking.The rest came
out in good time.Your gonna do awesome.

zipper2 (DEB)

 

[Ross]

You guys forgot the nasogastric tube and most importantly, the Umbilical cord.

 

[Ross]

Here's what you'll look like. This is a photo from "The Bum Ticker", a wonderful online book about heart valve surgery written by Steve Goldberger.

http://www.aldgategroup.com/iseeu.JPG

Here's a link to the book.

http://www.stevegoldberger.com/bt/BumtickerHomePage1a.html

Steve makin use of his pilots license I see.

 

[laurad37]

When I woke up i was still on the vent with a smaller tube next to it draining my stomach, and arterial line in my neck and arm, a cath, pacer wires and 4 drainage tubes... I think that's it. The vent and stomach tube came out about 3 hours after I woke up. The Neck arterial line and cath came out day 2, the drainage tubes came out day 3, the pacer wires came out day 4 and the last arterial line came out on release day. I was also on oxygen until day 4.

 

[john79t]

what is a cath, pacer wire? Are the wires in your neck in veins and what are they for? Thanks john

 

[Jkm7]

Hi John,
Pacer wires are placed in your chest and run to your heart. They are a temporary pacemaker, just in case needed. Those wires are normally pulled about day 3 or 4 and most of us describe their removal as nothing more than a slight flutter feeling. Both times for me, no discomfort while in or while removed for both my surgeries.

I had three drainage tubes in my chest the first surgery and four the second . I have no idea why so many and why more the second times (four years later) and with the same surgeon. They were pulled the first surgery about day 2 or 3. For me, it was very painful but they hit me with morphine immediately and it worked quickly. Second time, they pulled two of my drainage tubes before the others and I requested pre-meds before they pulled them and it was hugely easier. Almost no pain at all. Ask for pain meds in advance of tube pulling and they surely will grant it.

Urinary cath is standard and no big deal IMO
Line in neck is arterial and was used during surgery and is left there in case of emergency immediately post op. That is almost always placed after one is put out. No big deal with they remove it. I think that line is used of one needs blood.

IV's in arm are the usual for antibiotics and whatever other meds/fluids.

This all sounds horrendous but it really isn't. They kept me so comfortable both surgeries little of it bothered me.

I walked with the four chest tubes and all the rest under 12 hours post op by holding the back of a wheelchair holding all the chest tubes drainage containers. I surprised myself to find I was able.

Everything gets removed bit by bit and its such a measure of your recovery process.

You'll have monitors attached the whole time you are in the hospital. Nothing more than like ekg leads. Painless and no bother.

 

[john79t]

Thanks to all. I knew about the u. Cath. I miss read Laurad's post to say a cath pacer wire. I thought it might be a wire in my groan . Anyway it may seem a little morbid but I think I am better off knowing what to expect and not wake up thinking I am in big trouble from all the wires and tubes. I am still nervous as the date approaches but I am ready to get it over with and quit living in fear. I wish I knew a way to get a message to Robin Williams. Seeing him on Letterman really lifted my spirits. Hope my recovery goes as well.

 

[Ross]

Yeah and if you need something and just can't get anyones attention, just pull off a couple leads. You'll have someone there in seconds!

 

[MissMelis]

Ahh Ross, always full of good advice

 

[Marcia58]

I understand having to research it to death. That helped me, too! Here's a photo of me, immediately post-op.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30369526&l=97c6e4f303&id=1466592297

central line, vent, pacer wires, 2 chest tubes, 2? IVs, Ucath - I think that's it.

 

[laurad37]

Thanks to all. I knew about the u. Cath. I miss read Laurad's post to say a cath pacer wire. I thought it might be a wire in my groan . Anyway it may seem a little morbid but I think I am better off knowing what to expect and not wake up thinking I am in big trouble from all the wires and tubes. I am still nervous as the date approaches but I am ready to get it over with and quit living in fear. I wish I knew a way to get a message to Robin Williams. Seeing him on Letterman really lifted my spirits. Hope my recovery goes as well.

Sorry I lost ya there buddy. All of it is standard and not too bad. I did all my research before hand as well so that I knew what to expect. The people on this board helped out so much pre surgery and now after surgery.

 

[neil]

woke up with just a cath, line in neck, and one drain tube,expexted it to be far worse but wasnt that bad,think like most people we fear the worst when most times it aint bad,you be fine.

 

[Ross]

I understand having to research it to death. That helped me, too! Here's a photo of me, immediately post-op.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30369526&l=97c6e4f303&id=1466592297

central line, vent, pacer wires, 2 chest tubes, 2? IVs, Ucath - I think that's it.

Nice to meet you 3 of 6! Resistence is futile.

 

[Ross]

Ahh Ross, always full of good advice

I had to do something. No one was around and I couldn't breath. The damn call button fell on the floor and I certainly couldn't get up to reach it. Only thing I could think of was to throw things in the hall and when no one reacted to that, started pulling off leads. When the alarms went off, I got some attention then!

 

[MissMelis]

I'll keep it in mind as an "if all else fails" solution. I know it probably wasn't too funny at the time, but picturing it in my mind is funny