Husband having open heart surgery tomorrow

[Myotis]

That’s it really- anyone been through something similar? Worried and anxious obviously- he’s second on the list so just hope it goes ahead and is not postponed for any reason. No idea how long he will be in as it is complicated and depends how it goes. Advice and hand holding appreciated x

Sorry no advice - but I hope it goes well. Do you have something to distract you while he is in surgery?

Thanks- I have taken the day off work as I didn’t think I would be able to concentrate properly but I have the kids to organise and then hopefully meeting up with a friend.

No advice, although FIL has had successful open heart surgery (and pretty complex). I don't know many details but he made an excellent recovery.

Just wishing you much love and good luck! They are marvellous nowadays and I hope everything goes very smoothly.

My H had a quadruple bypass 2 years ago. He was in surgery for hours and then intensive care for 4 days afterwards.

The day of the surgery I was on pins- they said somebody would ring but they didn't. I eventually rang them. I suppose they are very busy but it's so worrying. They passed the phone to him, he was totally out of it and on morphine- he asked about Manchester United! He couldn't remember a thing when he eventually came round proper 😂

Hand hold here. My DH had mitral valve surgery several years ago. It was utterly terrifying in the run up and waiting for him to come out of surgery. The not knowing what they'll do once they get in there adds to the fear. However, he did great, and followed all of the guidance to make sure his recovery went as best as possible.

Have someone wait with you while he's in surgery, and the first time you see him after - I fainted at the sight of all of the machines and tubes - my DC were marvelous and able to help get me through it, as well as my DH.

Best of luck to your DH!

Thanks everyone, sorry to hear you all have experience if it too but it’s also good to hear success stories. He has spent a lot of time over the last year in and out of hospital as well as a stint in ICU so I am ok with him being connected up to machines, and the kids have seen it before too. I guess I am just not sure when to call to ask and where he will go after, whether it is ICU or if it is not and I should just call the ward he was admitted to.

DH had a double bypass and new valve on Dec 22nd. Totally unexpected. Surgery was 5 hours and he was in ICU for 4 days. The opetation was postponed once,15 minutes before he was due to go in! That was a low point.
Recovery is slow. Main problem is pain from sternum being cracked open but he's managing to walk short distances now.
I genuinely wasnt worried when he was in theatre as I knew he was in expert hands. More stressful being responsible for him as he recovers tbh

My FIL had something similar a few years ago and is absolutely fine now. However, he was feeling quite down after the operation and is usually quite a cheerful chap. I think it might have been the anesthesia? So keep in mind he might be more negative for a while

Sending him my best wishes OP.

@Hedjwitch My husband will be the same I think, and he has only recently got his mobility back after his illness last year. That’s the bit I am worried about, looking after him and the kids when he is home. I hope your OH keeps recovering well x

No heart surgery experience but my son recently had a big op that lasted several hours.

Keep busy, don't stay at the hospital and allow at least an hour plus an hour in recovery on top of whet they tell you. That way you won't be pacing unnecessarily.

Sending good vibes (and healing vibes afterwards ) to your DH.

What's he having done? Staffing is an issue, at this time of year particularly, so I would be prepared for it not going ahead. IME someone from critical care or the surgeon will call you when he's out of theatre, but it's worth him asking when he's admitted before surgery.

Sending best wishes to you both

Been there quite a few times with my ds.
Important thing is to keep your fluid and sugar levels up if you can’t eat.. choc biscuits, hot choc, plenty of water etc..
Wear comfy clothes/shoes and be prepared for it to be a v long day. Keep yourself busy and moving as much as possible even if that means walking the hospital corridors- it helps with the anxiety..
Keep a phone charger in your handbag, some change incase you need to use vending machines, some sugary sweets and tissues. I also keep a toothbrush and toothpaste ( cause I hate sticky teeth esp if having to talk to doctors etc) and a body spray with me.
Remember your husband will be being looked after so you need to look after yourself to keep yourself well

My dad has had 5 open heart surgeries. I am not going to lie, the wait is awful. The most anxiety fuelled experience imaginable. Do whatever it takes to get through. Post here for support and we will hold your hand.

My dad was born with a heart defect. 5 open heart surgeries and countless others. He is 70 now and the greatest man I have ever met.

Your husband is in safe hands. We are here for you.

What a great, supportive and hands on post. I will keep it.

DH didn't have open heart surgery but he did have a Whipple's which is also long, complex and risky surgery. It took around twelve hours and one of the surgeons called me when he was out and in recovery, we knew ahead of schedule that he would be in ICU afterwards and I wouldn't be able to visit until he'd moved to step down care. I hope all goes well tomorrow, I remember how hard it was not to sit and stare at the phone.

DH had open heart surgery 18 months ago. He didn't start to feel anything like himself for 12 months.

On the day of his surgery the nurses kept me informed and then the surgeon phoned me at home afterwards to tell me that he was in recovery and that it all went well.

Things were complicated at home as I am housebound and was not able to go to the hospital.

I felt numb all day and couldn't settle to anything of keep a train of thought all day.

Good luck for tomorrow but of course you won't need it.
The kids will help you keep your mind off it too.

What is he having done OP?

My mum had very complex open heart surgery almost 2 years ago. Something my mum found helpful although I'm sure the hospital will tell him is that after when he coughs me needs to hug a pillow or a rolled up towel this helps eases the pressure and pain.

Aw Thankyou. Been going through it since ds was a tiny baby and will have many more to go..

He’s having a pericardectomy- removing the lining around his heart, but they are also planning to remove a few calcified lumps that he had from cancer when he was a teen

I am not going into the hospital, it’s an hour away and we don’t have anyone else around who can collect the kids etc and given we don’t know when he’ll be in it would be a lot of waiting

Thanks for this tip x

Thanks you for your knowledge and support x

I had open heart surgery just over a year ago. It is scary but I always felt safe in hospital.

Intensive care is not nice for relatives but honestly the recovery in the sternum is what I found hardest.

It’s really important to keep on top of pain and when he can get moving and get the lungs filled back up.

My lifesaver throughout was a V pillow as you have to sleep on your back and being a bit elevated helps. There is also a great support group on Facebook called UK aortic & heart defects pre surgery. That’s helpful too with the everyday questions.

Will be thinking of you.

Thank you- I think I’ll look for a pillow for him tomorrow for when he gets home x

My husband had open heart surgery just over two years ago. He went into hospital for tests due to palpitations and the cardiologist and surgeon told us he needed the surgery or he would get weaker and weaker and eventually die within a few years. Two of his valves had failed. He was 62. They did the surgery four days later.

Be aware that surgery schedules can change. My husband was due to be taken into surgery at 7am but due to emergencies he didn't go down until 2pm. He didn't come out of surgery until 7pm. They monitored him closely and gradually withdrew sedation then phoned me and told me he had come through ok and to ring whenever through the night. I phoned at 3am and he was in intensive care but they said he had spoken but probably best not to go in until he was on the ward. There were lots of tubes and his mobility was affected as he couldn't reach for things like his phone. All messages were like gobbledegook too but after a few days he was up and about.

Recovering from such an invasive procedure can take a while but presumably your husband is younger than mine was. My DH struggled with sleeping due to where they opened him up and his rib cage obviously sawn through to gain access to the heart. He had to sleep upright for a while and I think the V pillow is a good idea. My husband struggled emotionally afterwards and had PTSD and the weirdest dreams.

Hopefully this time tomorrow he will be through the surgery and you can both focus on his recovery.