Anyone have type 1 diabetes and open heart surgery?

@pattynelson surgery went really well and didn’t take to long to heal I just made sure I had my pillow with me pretty much all of the time until I was healed. The second time took a little longer to heal since it was the second time opening my chest up. Like I said make sure you do all of the physical therapy afterwards. If you are getting it done at the Mayo in Rochester, mn ask if they have the meditation cd that you can listen to. I had that and it helped me calm down and be more prepared for surgery.

Thank you for the encouraging words, I really needed that, thanks for the advice as well, I live near St. Louis so I will be having my surgery at Barnes Jewish

@pattynelson I’m 68 and was diagnosed type 1 at age 18. I’ve never had open heart surgery but have had plenty of other surgeries (oral surgeries, two C sections, a hysterectomy, a pancreas transplant, an enteric conversion surgery…..) Your concerns about slower recovery, infections, wound healing are all valid. I think the main thing to focus on is tighter blood sugar control. This may mean more frequent blood sugar testing followed by more but smaller dose injections of rapid acting insulin. I suggest jotting down questions and concerns as they come to you. Make sure you have a chance to discuss these with the surgeon & anesthesiologist before the surgery date. Be sure to ask what the post op treatment plan and follow up will entail. Will you have access to a coordinator or social worker who can help plan the after care for a smooth transition back home?

@pattynelson Hi- Into, am a type 1 diabetic for the last 25 yrs (am 75). Went through quadruple bypass in 2024. I recovered well but slowly. Went into rehab for a month which was great and then outpatient cardiac rehab which was too demanding due to back, knee and hip problems after a surgeon blew a back surgery. All can be well, just make sure you have researched your surgeon well ( check reviews throughly, ask surgeon for references( it is YOUR body. If he or she is insulted, move on. Very best of luck to you

I agree with another poster about aftercare. I'm in my sixties and type 1 using a closed loop insulin pump and cgm. It was not open heart but a lengthy orbital decompression surgery. The surgery itself was great and I wore my pump with no issues. I wish I had asked more questions about aftercare. I was not physically able to manage my pump myself after surgery and as we know as someone with type 1 too little insulin can be as problematic as too much.