OK what all tubes etc should I expect

[Marcia58]

Thanks, Ross!

Ooh! Almost forgot...EKG and pulse-ox!

 

[Lynlw]

I just want to say not everyone has the neck lines, Justin has never had them.

 

[Philip B]

Lines & Wires

Lines & Wires

Ditto what others have said...I had a large X-mas tree of IV lines in my left arm. My left arm was splinted to keep me from moving it around.

I should remember my breathing tube since I attempted to chew through it and the nursing staff resorted to bite blocks when I refused to stop. Fortunately, I don't remember a thing about it. The drugs must have really had me out of it.

I can't speak for "most" but having the pacemaker wires pulled was one of the most uncomfortable experiences I had while in the hospital. It felt like my heart was being yanked out...I took a swing at the nurse when she pulled the wires...she was too quick and I missed. Maybe your experience will be less traumatic.

My wife tells me the number of wires and tubes I had while in the ICCU immediately following surgery was somewhat overwhelming. Hopefully, those who will be visiting you will be prepared. The ICCU staff had visited with my wife extensively about what I would look like, but she was still shocked by how I looked.

On a positive note, if your recovery goes well, the tubes and wires will disappear rather quickly. You'll just have a couple of scars and "fond" memories to remind you of what you went through.

-Philip

 

[Hot Rod Harry]

It's a good thing that you are able to find out this info before you go in. I woke up, and was shocked when I had a tube down my throat, a cath (tube up into your bladder), a drain tube from my heart, an IV in my groin area, an IV in both arms and neck, wires coming out of my chest. Am I forgetting anything?

I wont mention that I didn't poop for 5 days.

 

[COLLEEN S]

I had more than one iv. One in neck, a hepacath in one arm and a iv in the other. The hepacath is there so they can 1.switch arms if they have to. 2.for heparin drip. Plus all the others said also. The pulling out of the drains was more uncomfortable than I thought it would be.

 

[Philip B]

Drain Tubes

Drain Tubes

Yeah, pulling the drain tubes out of my chest really took my breath away. I couldn't believe how much tubing was stuck inside me. It didn't hurt, but there was some discomfort when the nurse pulled the tubes. On a positive note, the discomfort for me only lasted a few seconds.

-Philip

 

[TeresaCW]

Oh yes! Lack of action in the bowel department...

Oh yes! Lack of action in the bowel department...

Hot Rod Harry - Re your last comment. I'd completely forgotten all about that! The op and the codeine based painkillers caused the most awful constipation for days. But, like everything else after the op, it sorted itself out eventually with a LOT of patience.... Get a good book!