1. < Heart & Blood Health

CABG recovery & visitation expectations?

Posted by delphiniums @delphiniums, Nov 19 7:52pm

We are out of state and scheduling an unexpected quad bypass surgery for my husband (65m) in Phoenix for possibly next month. We met with his Mayo Doctor today and were told he is high risk and this could turn into an emergent transplant.

This may sound juvenile, but my husband and I have spent almost every waking minute with each other since 2020 and thinking about him being alone in a recovery room following this surgery is worrisome and only adds to my anxiousness around this time.

- What is visitation like following a CABG surgery? Especially one that may have complications?

- Will I be able to sit in his room with him? What about if he's in the ICU?

We found out today his consult with the surgeon next month will likely turn into elective admission into the hospital, followed by surgery 1-2 days later so we're trying to temper our expectations now and prepare mentally.

Personal stories appreciated. Thank you.

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delphiniums | @delphiniums | Nov 20 4:42pm
In reply to @shelby29 "My husband had triple CABG at Mayo Rochester and I was able to be with him..." + (show)
@shelby29

My husband had triple CABG at Mayo Rochester and I was able to be with him at all times as soon as he got out of the operating room. Be aware, the icu room gets very crowded, there are many staff tending on the patient!
Best to you and your hubby.

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So very comforting to hear! I'm glad your husband's procedure went well.

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shelby29 | @shelby29 | Nov 20 6:28pm
In reply to @lcd "My experience was in a local hospital. Getting admitted a day early was a blessing. I..." + (show)
@lcd

My experience was in a local hospital. Getting admitted a day early was a blessing. I was well educated about the process in the next 7 days. I met 3 shifts of nurses ahead of time who would continue with my care throughout. I remember waking up afterwards with restraints and wanting to get the ventilator removed. My wife holding my hand at that specific time made all the difference in the world to me. It surely comforted me as I was extremely anxious and delirious. Best wishes and prayers.

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Mayo hospital keep patient sedated if the ventilator has to stay in. My hubby's had to stay in for over 4 hours, cuz they didn't like his "numbers". He stayed sedated so didn't experience the anxiety. But none the less scary for me and my kids...seemed like forever.

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1 reply
delphiniums | @delphiniums | Nov 20 7:01pm
In reply to @shelby29 "Mayo hospital keep patient sedated if the ventilator has to stay in. My hubby's had to..." + (show)
@shelby29

Mayo hospital keep patient sedated if the ventilator has to stay in. My hubby's had to stay in for over 4 hours, cuz they didn't like his "numbers". He stayed sedated so didn't experience the anxiety. But none the less scary for me and my kids...seemed like forever.

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I could only imagine awaking and being on a ventilator; glad he was sedated. But you're right, absolutely nonetheless scary for his loved ones.

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Lou | @lcd | Nov 20 8:09pm
In reply to @delphiniums "I could only imagine awaking and being on a ventilator; glad he was sedated. But you're..." + (show)
@delphiniums

I could only imagine awaking and being on a ventilator; glad he was sedated. But you're right, absolutely nonetheless scary for his loved ones.

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Just to be clear. Yes, i was kept under while on ventilator. I did have complications where I stayed under extra 8 tormenting hours for my family. The process of removing the ventilator was making sure I can breathe on my own while not being under anesthesia. So as they awoke me and I slowly was beginning to be alert is when they can be assured the patient can breathe on their own. So it felt like an hour waking up and removing ventilator. It was at that critical time one may freak out while be restrained because they don’t want patients removing tube themselves. My wife was able to calm me during that hour thankfully.

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delphiniums | @delphiniums | Nov 20 10:26pm
In reply to @lcd "Just to be clear. Yes, i was kept under while on ventilator. I did have complications..." + (show)
@lcd

Just to be clear. Yes, i was kept under while on ventilator. I did have complications where I stayed under extra 8 tormenting hours for my family. The process of removing the ventilator was making sure I can breathe on my own while not being under anesthesia. So as they awoke me and I slowly was beginning to be alert is when they can be assured the patient can breathe on their own. So it felt like an hour waking up and removing ventilator. It was at that critical time one may freak out while be restrained because they don’t want patients removing tube themselves. My wife was able to calm me during that hour thankfully.

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Thank you for clarifying. Were you very disoriented or confused as you awoke? I'd like to know how much I should reassure him of where he is, what's happening, etc. etc.

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Lou | @lcd | Nov 21 4:33am

Yes very much disoriented. Not really going crazy. No idea of time, where, or how procedure went. She kept saying everything went well, you are fine, just relax, breathe WITH the ventilator, don’t fight it, YOU did great.,.. it really helps. Very slow one hour waking up. Just be his biggest fan and supporter. Reassuring over and over

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