Question

[TIM W.]

Can some of you veterans give me an idea what a person feels like immediately after the surgery? I have read about waking up with the breathing tube in place. But what other experiences come to mind? How long are you "out of it"? When are visitors allowed in? Thanks!!!

 

[JimL]

Many talk about feeling like they got hit by a truck, but the main feeling is that you are still ALIVE.

I also felt very fragile for some weeks after surgery, as if I could be easily injured -- it does take a while for the sternum to heal.

 

[hensylee]

All in the waiting room were allowed to see me in ICU, for just a few moments. I recall vaguely some of them. My tubes were out of throat when I came fully awake in a room. Throat tubes generally come out w/in 24 hrs, then you go to a room after ICU and visitors can come. The chest tubes remain for a couple/three days. My nurse cousin took a motel room near hospital and stayed with me all day every day and nobody cared. Course hospitals differ, but have gotten less stringent in their rules these days. Guess they know visitors are important to our recovery.

As to waking up, you will be awakened by the staff soon after surgery but will be taking pain meds and fall asleep a lot while in the hospital. There's pain so you will be on those meds for (probably) weeksb t each dosage may be less and less til you taper off or switch to tylenol. Helps in your healing to stem the tide of pain. They will get you out of bed and on your feet very quickly and in a couple days you will probably be walked a bit, with more walking each day, and then a minor exercise program. The staff is in/out of your room all the time so you will be kept busy with one thing and another.

 

[Nancy]

Hi Tim-

The pain meds are very, very effective. You might like to tell anyone who will be visiting you just after surgery, not to be surprised at how you look. You will be disoriented from the medication, may not make sense when you talk, if you can talk and may even have a few little hallucinations. I remember that Joe's eyes didn't focus well and he slurred his words. Also patients can look puffy and lacking color right after surgery.

There will be tubes and gizmos going to and coming out of everything on your body. They are all there for a very important purpose. To the family it looks pretty bad. Most of those gizmos also make some kind of noise, buzzers, alarms, etc. The heart monitor will record every event. Sometimes it can look like it is going crazy. Most of that is because the patient may be moving around, and it is not that the heart is doing that. That has scared a few loved ones when they saw the monitior screen. Since you will have one to one nursing care just after surgery, all of these things will be very carefully monitored.

All of this will correct itself as the days go by. But it can be disconcerting for those who have never seem anyone in this condition.

You'll be heavily medicated, so you won't even care about most of this stuff, but your family might like a "heads up" on it.

By day 2, you will be up and out of bed and in most cases, walking a little.

If you want to read an upbeat very detailed account of valve surgery, take a look at Steve Goldberger's site, he is a member here, "The Bum Ticker". I read his story and found it light hearted and very informative. He's got some cute pictures of himself all "duded up" in the hospital ICU. I have to admit that Steve looks better and a lot spunkier than most ICU patients! Here's the link:

http://www.stevegoldberger.com/bt/BumtickerHomePage1.htm

 

[EVELYN]

Hello Tim

Well, I can tell you from a "spectator's viewpoint".....Tyce had surgery this past June. He went in at 12:20 and I was visiting him in ICU about 4:30....he still had the vent in, but didn't seem all that uncomfortable with it. He also didn't fight the vent andI think that made a big difference. The vent came out about 5 hours after they wheeled him in for surgery.

He was definitely swollen....ie. face and hands, and his color was not good...heart lung machine. When he could talk, he said he felt like he had been hit by 4 mack trucks and they rolled over his chest. Later that night he was watching a met game and sucking on ice chips. The following morning he was moved to a semi-private room and was up walking that afternoon---albeit slowly with all his tubes in. His chest tube came out on Saturday morning and his catheter was out on Friday. His pacing wires came out on Sunday morning because the pa forgot him on Saturday afternoon. I remember visiting him that first day and he would fall asleep in the middle of a sentence...that lasted about 2 days.

He was in the hospital and was given pain meds, but when he was sent home, the surgeon said only extra strength tylenol......nothing more!! If I recall correctly, he only took them at night when he wanted to relax and sleep a bit.

He was in the hospital from Wednesday surgery to Sunday morning release. Coughing and sneezing were the worst for him. He did sleep in a recliner to begin with and then slept in bed bolstered up by many pillows including a body pillow that was a great purchase from Wamart....I will always be grateful to one of the two John's on this list (I forget which one) for recommending we buy one.

He was up and walking from the first day out of icu....that and the spirometer, I feel, made a big difference in his recovery. Even when we got home that first Sunday, he had a nap and then walked around the house twice during the day. It certainly wasn't a "marathon," but I'm sure it felt like one to him.

Anyway, a long story short, at 10 weeks we took our fifth-wheel to Maine for a week's vacation. Basically, our life was back to normal again. Was it worth it? ABSOLUTELY!!!

I hope that's somewhat of a help to you. Remember, everyone is different and everyone heals at a different pace.

Evelyn

 

[vlamus]

Tim,
I just went through surgery 2 weeks ago, so I can give you a few details that I remember right after surgery and in the ICU. My sister, Dad, brother and 2 nephews were all waiting for me during surgery and were allowed into ICU for a brief moment to say hi. I do remember them coming in, but when they were allowed in and I had finally wakened the tube was still in my throat. I was mad about that (being a nurse and this terrified me), but having the tube in the throat wasn't that bad really. They suctioned and it just made me cough. The ventilators are so sophisticated these days that it doesn't fight against your natural breathing. There was no pain or choking sensation to having the tube in your throat, just frustrating because you want to talk. Anyway, I remember my family coming in and I wanted to signal I was fine and wave hi to my nephew. I remember it took a while for my brain to connect to my hand to wave...but I did it! I think it was all the strong meds. I was not in pain immediately post-op thanks to morphine. Once the tube came out I was very hoarse and thirsty, always wanting some water/ice chips to drink, which I did get. When I did talk I felt like I wasn't making any sense and confused, had difficulty forming words, but family said I made perfect sense. You do feel in a fog for a while. I was completely "out of it" for about 12 hrs. When they moved me from ICU (approx 16hrs later) to the floor they had me stand up and get in a wheelchair (with lots of help). I did that fine...just felt very foggy. That's about all I remember from ICU and immediately post-op. Vlamus

 

[Guest]

Hey Tim...

Here are some of my "observations" that I included in my first post back from surgery (which was Monday, Jan 6).....

"Hospital Highlights":
* waking up Tuesday nite...quite a weird feeling...seeing people....hearing people...& yet feeling like it was all a dream....
* having the breathing tube removed on Wednesday....aye...an experience I'd rather forget than remember....the first few times they administered a test to see if I'd be able to breathe on my own, I failed....I could feel the mucus building at the bottom of my throat...& for quite a while thought I was breathing my last breaths....but, then, I finally, barely, passed the test...and the breathing tube came out...what a relief! I could breathe!
* having visitors...Wednesday, Thursday & Friday....perhaps the best part of being there was having people stop by to keep me busy & talking & smiling .
* medication change Thursday morning...disastrous...they apparently thought that they would help the pain by switching medications, but unfortunately, the new meds only made me drowsy...& did not take away the pain. Thus, a day that Heather stayed extra just to be with me was spent sleeping & not talking, for the most part. They switched the medication back about 2pm on Thursday...thank goodness!...but too late to take away the pain of an echocardiogram that was performed right after I was moved into the regular room...& too late to keep me on track for a Friday release.
* having the chest tubes & catheter removed...this was not as "painful" as I thought, but, unpleasant experiences when compared to other things I could be doing .
* wild dreams...oh yes, I had them...some of them were good, some not so good...some felt like they were from the twilight zone...some like something you would see on a TV soap opera....others were just weird

Coming home the following Saturday:
This was a milestone & step in the right direction on the road to recovery.... The next couple weeks are "critical" to stay as healthy as possible to avoid sickness/viruses/etc. that would pose a threat to the incision areas or the valve, etc.... Also, strength & endurance levels when I first got home were not exactly condusive to long stints at the computer.... Also, I still had quite a bit of pain (especially when I coughed) & I felt a bit helpless....but, I did begin to feel better once I was able to start driving again and do other things....

HTH...Peace...Always,
Cort S, pig's valve & pacemaker-enhanced 29/swm
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[medtronic of borg]

I vague to differ...

I vague to differ...

The airway can and does cause choking in many people. What makes a difference is we you have a strong gag reflex or not. I do have a strong one. One other thing is the rule or rather guiding principal for its being removed..is if your gag reflex has returned. So that if you do vomit (rare but happens) you have the ability to prevent it from being asprated into lungs. Where it can cause pneumonia. Which kills many people every year. Nancy has it right. If your Dr's are using uptodate medicine it is not nearly as big a "truck". Believe me when I say heart surgery in the 60s&70s was MUCH worse. The change is the newer meds!! So relax and let them use all the meds they need to to make this easy on you.

 

[Bob]

I had the same experience as others with the tube, trucks, meds and dreams. For me the worst experience for the first two weeks after surgery was body temp. I would sweat and then freeze. This went on day and night. the thing I disliked the most was that darn deep breathing thing. The one where you have to blow a ping pong ball up a tube. I knew it was necessary but having to blow into it ten times an hour was awful. Mental confusion was bad the first few weeks. I couldn't type, reading was difficult as was conversation. Still having a bit of a problem with typing. Dr. said it will go away over time. I dont remember much from the ICU. Just glimpses of my family and a sore throat fom the tube. The tube didnt bother while it was in, the bother came after it was removed. Best of luck to you. It is a big mountain but soon you will be over and among the rest of us veterans.

 

[vlamus]

Bob,

Yes the sweating. I remember several days post op I would have terrible sweats. I thought it was due to meds, but the Nurse practitioner came in and told me night sweats are common after being on by-pass, since they lower your body temp down and this messes with your temp regulation system. It does pass after a week or two. Vlamus

 

[Granbonny]

5 star nurses

5 star nurses

I had my VR at St. Joseph's in Atlanta..coming up 1 year..March 25th. On St. Joseph's website. their cardiac nurses are rated a 5 star in the nation..so..I am here to say it must be true. When I was taken back for pre-op, my family was invited to come too. Had a total of 6 close family members. Daughter helped me undress. and family sat on bed with me..Had a great male nurse..who slipped me a good-feeling shot.. Last thing I remember was grown son leaning over to kiss me goodbye and me telling nurse to give him something Next thing I remember. 2 days later. Never woke up in ICU..never remember tubes, pain, nothing. Just woke up in a beautiful private room with daughter leaning over me and saying Hi. All tubes were gone. She brushed my hair and got me up and we walked outside..few steps at a time. Operation late Monday..Home on Easter Day.Food tasted bad. lost 14 lbs. gained back 20 Had a great hubby who waited on me hand and foot..even slept on couch next to me for a week. Then, I was walking outside. Blessed with nice weather in April.. Hope you will have the same post-op as I did..Bonnie

 

[Granbonny]

P.S. to my post

P.S. to my post

My room had a great recliner that let down into bed at night..so daughter and hubby rotated everynight. Motel across the parking lot for them to shower, ect.The nurses were S0 nice to them. Even at night.. My daughter is one to ask a lot of questions and not once did they not give her a nice reply. This reminds me that I need to write the hospital a nice letter about their nurses. Bonnie

 

[Gail in Ca]

When I awoke from surgey, I was amazed it was over and I had made it and then I was very thirsty. I was given ice chips and they doled them out very sparingly, but it was like gold, so wonderful and I just couldn't get enough. MY breathing tubes had been removed already the 2nd time around, what a huge difference. I was not fearful at all like the 1st time.
Gail

 

[terry40]

Tim W

Tim W

It wasn't my chest that was in pain, it was my upper back and shoulder and having to lay that way was quite uncomfortable.

Family was invited in for a brief visit every hour, during visiting hours, I heard everything they were saying. The vent stayed in 5 more hours after surgery, and yes, I was aware of it and leave it at that.

They had me out of bed that evening sitting in a chair.The nurses in the SICU were great, they are constantly there for pain meds, ice and water, OH! and of course checking all of your body functions.

Terry40

 

[ccrawford]

Some are good, some not so good

Some are good, some not so good

I thought I had this tube thing pretty much licked, but you guys are starting to make me nervous again. Is there something you can tell the nursing staff or your surgeon like--"I don't want to wake up until the throat tube is gone" ? How did you get so lucky bonny ? Chris

 

[Granbonny]

Chris

Chris

Reread my post. The cardiac nurses at St. Joseph's are rated 5 star. I guess I had a one on one nurse and if I groaned..I guess she gave me another good night drop Must have been good stuff. Bonnie

 

[Gail in Ca]

I think that the breathing tube is generally removed while one is still out.
Before my first surgery, I asked my surgeon about all the possible tubes, etc that i would be connected to when I awoke.
He said they would be removed. So, I was a bit!! upset when I awoke and still had that breathing tube and machine trying to breathe for me even though I was totally lucid.
My nurse was also peaved that the dr on duty, until my surgeon got there at 7am, would not take out my tube. The nurse said he was afraid of my surgeon and wouldn't do it, left it for him when he came to see me.
When I awoke from my 2nd avr, I was breathing on my own and I was so calm and felt at ease.
BUT, I still had chest tubes that were removed the next day, which I hadn't experieced the 1st time. So, it's one thing or another and let's face it, we manage to get thru those experieces, (I sure remember them, though). The docs seem to think that it's really nothing to remove these various tubes when we are no longer drugged, but I know I would prefer to be OUT,
if at all possible.
Do speak to your surgeon about your concerns.
Gail

 

[hensylee]

My throat tube was gone when I woke up - I only barely recall it at all being there during recovery room stay. Unless there's a reason for it to be there, they will probably quickly take it out and you won't recall the removal at all - I don't. Try not to dwell on this particular event as you probably won't be very aware of it anyway. The chest tubes will stay for awhile and removal was easy for me. The dr ass't came in, was examining me, I heard a slurp and out was the first chest tube - then another. Not bad for me. But a real relief to get them out, tho since they are a great reminder of what you went through. These are inconveniences that you have to go through and no way to get around them, but you will be sedated much of the time so they won't bother you much. Hang in. God bless

 

[TIM W.]

Thank you all for your replies and kind words. I'm not really worried or nervous, apprehensive is a better word for it. Being somewhat of a control freak, I just like knowing all there is to know about what I'm about to go thru. Thanks again.

 

[Ross]

Being somewhat of a control freak.......

Welcome to the club! That puts you right up there with myself, EPSTN and ccrawford. I pick on all of us all of the time because of it, so if I pick on you, you'll know why.