3 Responses to Poll Question: How long does it take after CABG Surgery, to FULLY r

1. pete_3 on 2007-04-29 00:51:04.133697

   So you voted for what? Three days? Two weeks? The question had the emphasis on the word 'fully' so I took it to include the complete knitting of the sternum. I'm at about 8 weeks now and I can certainly still feel it especially when I cough or sneeze.

2. orr8 on 2007-04-28 23:37:37.821448

   All these things must have disguised the pain because, for example, it takes 6 weeks medically for the sternum to knit together somewhat. Nice to hear about your personal experience but as "Joe Parker" says realistically your body takes longer than less than a week to recover. Good for you and sorry to be a bit blunt but the word "fully" was emphasised and as I had lung collapse and chest wound complications I realise that I will be longer than "normal" to FULLY recover, however I wondered what our members felt was their own timescale therefore I set up the poll. Colin --- In BypassSurgeryRecoverySupport@y..., "Chas Kroll" hospital three days following surgery and went out to a party five days later. By using positive attitude, meditation, guided visualization and fearlessness, I discovered that I could overcome all or most of the customary and expected hurdles my doctors told me I would be up against. of Major Surgery Without Fear or Pain" at www.zenhealing.com/articles/majorsurgery_personalexperience.htm. I hope others will find inspiration in surmounting their own personal struggle.

3. clifford_190 on 2007-04-29 16:53:39.614368

   I can certainly identify with the post surgical trauma that this experience causes. I was recently rehospitalized due to shoulder pain that the doctor determined to be heart related. However, when EKG's were done at the hospital, they showed nothing after taking Nitro. The doctor had me do a repeat Thallium Stress test which also showed no heart problems. Spent three days in the hospital that time. Every little ache and pain sends waves of fear over what could be causing it. I had dismissed the shoulder pain as muscle-related but still thought the doc needed to be aware of it. Again, in my mind it was nothing but to the doc it was something. I'm suspicious over everything now. I guess that once you become a cardiac patient, you'll always be one. This is really no way to live especially at my age of 37. I know that the further out I get without real complications the better, but my family history contradicts that theory as well. In regards to Chas and his "Zen" theory... I too find it extremely difficult to believe that he had a good time at such an event. At 5 days post-op I could barely make it to the can without needing a nap. This quickly resolved itself though and by week two I was feeling MUCH better and was able to push myself to do quite a few things (some of which I probably shouldn't have). But I attribute my relatively "good" experience and rapid, trouble-free healing to God as I had the prayer support of all my church family. They were a great blessing. My chest is still tender (my surgery was Nov 27, 2001) and I get lots of muscle spasms in it. Another thing that is bothersome to me is the formation of cartiledge at the base of the sternum (wishbone area). It moves and flexes occasionally. This is more disgusting than painful. It is also very tender and there is a large lump there. I see my cardiologist on the 10th of October and I will express my concerns to him at that time. He's very good and I know he will advise me accordingly. For all those who don't seem to be bouncing back as they wished, just remember that the mind will play with you if you let it. Try to find one thing that you can do today that you couldn't do yesterday and build on it. Be well...... Brian

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