my uncle has had a triple bypass this was?

Question

he was taken down yesterday and when my mum phoned they said he is still not awake and he should be awake sunday or monday ,i thought this was a bit strange ,does anyone know if this is normal thanks

Answer 1

A Triple Bypass Operation is a massive operation - involving two operation sites, one to open the chest and expose the heart, and the other to harvest a vein from the leg which is what is used to bypass the blocked arteries - three in his case (TRIPLE bypass).

Such a huge operation causes a huge reaction in the body - the shock of such an invasive and often long procedure can be enough to kill someone.

To minimise this, the doctors will keep him in intensive care in an artificial coma for the first one to two days, to let his body come to terms with the operation, to let it start healing, and to spare him the pain and shock that would be extreme in the immediate post op period.

Try not to worry. It's a big operation, but usually very successful.

Answer 2

Anyone who has had a triple bypass is considered very ill, even following the surgery. If he has pneumonia that he contracted while in the hospital he will need some heavy duty IV antibiotics for about 2wks. It is not uncommon to sedate patients who are combative or try to self-extubate (pull out the tube, as you put it), so don't be too concerned over that behavior. More worrisome is the pneumonia. He will need to stay in the ICU until he is safely extubated, which hopefully can happen very soon as there is a limited time line he can be on the ventilator without further intervention. Hope he improves.

Answer 3

Yes it's quite normal, believe it or not this op has become quite common the recovery period really does depend on the individual, my future father in law had the op 5 years ago, within 3 months he was back to driving ets. It does tend to make people a bit short tempered so please be aware. I wish your uncle a speedy recovery.

Answer 4

Yes it is. My brother in law is in hospital now and had his op 3 days ago and has just come off the machines. They try and keep them asleep to give the heart more time to recover and for the tubes to begin to heal. He will be closely monitored, but the slower they can keep his heart-rate the better it is for him.
The thing I find hardest is not knowing what's happening but My sister is a nurse and so knows what is going on and tells us what they are doing and why.
If you need any help please E-Mail me!

Answer 5

I have personally undergone triple bypass surgery on 2nd October, 2006, and eas under anaesthesia from 1030 AM to 1800 PM, that means eight and a half hours. I was awke by 1800 PM on the same day, whereas my senses were back (voices starts pouring in around 1700 PM).
You have not mentioned anyother problems with yours uncle, i.e. Hypertension, Sugar, Kidney problems etc with yours uncle. With these problems, some longer duration may be there. I am praying for an early recovery of yours uncle.
The following is standard type of reaction after CABG (Bypass Surgery):

After CABG surgery

After your coronary bypass surgery you will be taken to the surgical intensive care unit. A nurse will be with you at all times. You will stay in the intensive care unit for about 24 hours. You will have some tubes and machines connected to you to help your recovery. They include: A tube in your mouth to help your breathing for the first little while. It is connected to a respirator. It is usually removed a few hours after your surgery and replaced with an oxygen mask. The oxygen mask will be replaced with nasal oxygen. Intravenous into the vein for fluids for approximately 24 hours. E.C.G. patches on the outside of your chest to read the heart beat. A tube to your bladder to drain your urine. This is in place for about 48 hours. This sounds like a lot of equipment, but it is necessary and it is not long before it is all removed.

After the breathing tube has been removed you have to do deep breathing and coughing exercises. The physiotherapist and nurse will help you and support your chest while you do the exercises. You must do the exercises every two to three hours for about three to four days in order to prevent pneumonia.

The morning after surgery you will usually be sitting up on the edge of the bed and begin taking fluids like juice, milk or water. Your family can visit you in the intensive care unit for short periods of time.

Approximately two days after your surgery you will be sitting up in a chair and going for short walks. Your activity will gradually increase. Within four to five days after surgery you will be able to walk the length of the hall, two to three times a day.

For the first week after surgery it is normal to have less of an appetite. You will be going home approximately five to six days after surgery.


Please don't hesitate to contact me for any further information. [e-mail]

Answer 6

You have valves in your heart which prevent back-flow of blood and help the heart to push the blood to where it's needed. If you eat a lot of fatty foods, smoke,and don't exercise, then the valves become hardened and can't work properly and need to be replaced. Cholesterol is the enemy. Sometimes people have high levels without doing any of these things - can be in your genes-maybe you need a check-up.

Answer 7

It was probably quite a long operation and will take a bit of time for all the anesthesia to wear off.

Answer 8

Know that is not strange you must understand this is a serious operation.
he just need to wake up from anesthesia don't worry

Answer 9

think it is normal when you have a big op like that they sedate you heavily so that your body has time to rest and recover,not sure how long they sedate you for though.good luck to your uncle and a speedy recovery to him too.

Answer 10

Your uncle heart is ill.