I'm not looking forward to this...

[Ramfins59]

I found out today that I am scheduled to have Bypass Surgery on February 26th.  As you can imagine, I'm not looking forward to this, and am kind of freaked out by it all.  My surgeon said that he has done around 250 of these operations, so I guess he knows what he's doing and is good at it.

A few people have been telling me that this is a "routine" operation...... Yeah...... Right......  It may be "routine" for the surgeon and the attending staff, but it's NOT so "routine" for the person having it done...!!!

I've been building models like crazy to keep my mind off it.  I finished 3 cars in 6 weeks, and have another 2 "in the works" at the moment.  They should hopefully be done well before the 26th.

Please stay very well everyone.

Rich

[1930fordpickup]

You are in my thoughts and Prayers Rich. Things will be OK. Lets keep it positive. 

[Ace-Garageguy]

Keep a good attitude, try not to worry. My father had 2 uneventful bypass surgeries many years ago, and they're much better at this stuff now.

Sure, it's a kinda big deal, but you'll be fine.

[Nacho Z]

Rich, I’m sorry to see this.  I completely understand your trepidation about your upcoming procedure.  I know it is of little comfort but it is a good thing that you appear to have a skilled physician performing your bypass.  Much better that you are nervous and not him!! ?. You will be in my thoughts and prayers, Rich.  I will see you at the next Pittsburgh show!

[Bucky]

Hang in there...stay strong...be positive. I had a pacemaker installed in 2013. I know that's not as serious as a bypass, but I was just as nervous! Surgery went very smoothly, and I don't have any problems! These guys that wear the scrubs nowadays seem to be pretty well up on this stuff! LoL

[Matt Bacon]

I had a heart valve replaced in October, and I was equally nervous. Think of it as serious, but routine (for the surgeons). You’ll be scared of the op itself: don’t be. You won’t know anything about it between when they take you in and when you wake up in the cardiac ICU. The first few days you’ll be weak and your emotions will be all over the place. You won’t be in pain, though, because the painkillers will be doing their job. The nurses and care team will be brilliant. You’ll probably feel the benefit of the bypass right away. I know I did. You will likely be up and about surprisingly quickly: I was sent home after 6 days. You’ll be worried about the scar — it will likely be much smaller and neater than you are imagining. Mine is less than 6” long, and is steadily fading. The thing that takes time is for your chest muscles and bones to go back into place and knit together. But even that’s less painful than you imagine. I was taking paracetamol four times a day for a couple of weeks, but I could tail it off to none after a month. Getting in and out of bed and from lying to sitting is tricky to begin with, but you’ll quickly find a way that works for you, and after a month or so you’ll be able to move more or less normally.

The main thing to remember is that you’ll feel a lot better quickly thanks to the bypass doing it’s job, and that although it seems a long time as you live through it, three months after the op you’ll be able to look back and it will seem like it didn’t take long to recover at all.

Listen to all your health carers and do what they say, and don’t try to push yourself. You’ll know what you can do when.

If you want to ask anything or just chew it over, feel free to message me...

All the best,

Matt

[Classicgas]

Wow, bypass instead of stents? Must be some pretty serious blockages or the arteries are very weak. I will be praying for you.

[Ramfins59]

Thank you all so very much for your prayers, concerns, well wishes and advice.  

[NYLIBUD]

Good luck.This surgery is routine for the doctors.Your right,it’s not routine for the patient,but if you have a good doctor,you should be just fine...I know that’s easy to say.No worries.

[OldTrucker]

Richard, our prayers will be going out for you!

Just keep the faith and all will be well. Just look forward to how much better you will feel after this is done and you are healed up!

My wife has had her aortic valve replace twice as well as a resection done on her aorta below the heart.

Monday we will be back at Northwestern in Chicago to talk to the team about replacing a now failing bicuspid valve.

Hopefully they can do it without cracking her chest open again.

She like you is very nervous but like she says, you just go and get it done and trust in the talent and knowledge that God has intrusted to the surgeon and the staff that will be giving you care!

[slusher]

Rich, Matt had good advice.  I had 4 hernia surgeries and all worried me too much. Be sure to have them give you something too calm your nerves. You have been in my prayers. They will have you up and walking not long after the surgery. The Lord is looking after you.