My FIL had quadruple bypass done in 1978. Back then, it was very rare. The doctors told him he could expect ten more years of life. He made it 20 years, long enough to get to know my two older children and to know our third child was on the way. He also had diabetes, or he probably would have lived even longer. He was a wonderful man - we still miss him.
Yes, be aware that he probably will encounter depression. H’s best friend is a cardiologist and had one. He too experienced depression. So just be ready to deal with this as a possible side affect of this surgery.
Best wishes to your H and you–I hope the surgery goes well!
(My dad had two heart attacks at 51 and 58, with triple then double bypass surgeries. He quit smoking and drinking regular coffee after the first one and his personality changed for the better! He’s 81 now.)
DH had 3x bypass 2 years ago. Insurance had visiting nurse/pt that came to the home for the first two weeks which was great. Answered all the questions and concerns and started him getting up and walking around. Cardiac rehab is also wonderful for getting stamina, confidence back!
Sleeping and getting out of bed was the hardest thing. If you have a laz-boy chair, they can be good to sleep in for the first few days.
Do be aware of the depression and change in temper. It can happen and be unexpected and add to your stress. Don’t forget to look after yourself and accept help from all your friends who ask what can they do.
on line support - see http://www.inspire.com/groups/heart-bypass-surgery
Good luck!
Re post 19–she didn’t divorce him–their 71st wedding anniversary is in a couple weeks!
Thanks for all of the information and good wishes! DH read the thread and was quite touched. We just found out that he is going to be the first surgery tomorrow morning, so that’s good. @CountingDown, we’ve been walking on eggshells the past few days, but the surgeon wanted to wait until the blood thinner was out of DH’s system before operating.
I’ll be on the lookout for signs of depression. He’s put up with me through my frequent bouts with depression, so it’s only fair that I do the same for him!
Will keep him and you in my prayers.
Where was this when my husband had his heart attack in 2008? He was 48. It was a very hard time as H was touchy and crazy Lol! That was the summer my D graduated from high school and I wanted to throw both of them out the window ;).
I am so happy to have that over.
2 things. Many people who have heart surgery (maybe other surgery also) lose their sense of taste. It’s pretty common. Just something to be aware of. Also if he isn’t a fan of his cardiologist find another. My H was pretty active before his heart attack and his first cardiologist was not onboard or helpful with H resuming his exercise regime. His new doctor is a very active athlete and very open and supportive of my H’s activities.
H went to cardiac rehab. I don’t know what to think about it. I think it would be more helpful for someone who isn’t active than it was for my H.
H did not have to have a bypass but he has continued to work on his weight and fitness. He is thinner than he was then, he still struggles with his weight but the heart attack was a wake up call for sure
DH was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer the first day of D1’s senior year. My sweet husband, who had never even had so much as a cold in the 20+ years that I had known him, went through an “angry phase,” and that was so very difficult. I can see how chronic illness can take a toll on marriages. Poor D, we were spending time in Houston at a rented apartment part time, home part time, with a revolving door of relatives/friends holding down the fort for her and her younger sister.
It was a horrible year.
CABG can have its challenges, but some weather it without all of the depression and other issues. It can be pretty straight forward for many. 
One of the harder issues is the sudden change in status, while feeling the same. One day, supposedly hale and hearty, the next you’re a cardiac patient with surgery looming over you. It is a massive psychological change. This too can be survived, though there are busy days in the process. Waking up in ICU with multiple tubes is sobering for patient and family, but depending on the surgical technique, they are more minimal these days, or out soon. Walking is essential, the coughing and deep breathing, eating sufficient protein to heal. Appetite does take a nose dive in some, and the lifting restrictions can be frustrating. But the sternum needs to heal, so no lifting over 10 pounds for several months.
Some have pain but many have very little after those chest tubes come out. It is quite individual.
Yes, cardiac rehab is a very good, and helps the confidence, as well as keeping a watchful eye on recovery.
Wishing you the best though this time.
@stevensmama, they will probably have your H on heparin or Lovenox as the blood thinner until things stabilize. Those clear the system faster than coumadin/warfarin. I am usually one of the youngest at cardiac rehab, but there are some guys my age who were runners before their events. They are pretty speedy and VERY determined to get back out on the road. My primary doc is a cross-country bike rider, so he was very encouraging about getting active in whatever way I could.
Your DH will also need to let his dentist know of the surgery, as he/she may require prophylactic antibiotics for a period of time.
Best of luck to you and him tomorrow. Will keep you in my thoughts.
I HATED not being able to drive. The cardiologist originally told me six months and I nearly went nuts. My kids weren’t home, DH works in DC and travels all the time. She finally said if I could get the neuropsych to clear me, I could drive. He was pretty impressed with my recovery and gave me back the keys. It was a LONG three months.
VeryHappy, it was sheer serendipity that S2 was even home. He was back for ten days between the end of the semester and when he was supposed to leave for his study abroad. DH had just gotten home from work and was eating dinner and S2 was watching the hockey playoffs when I crashed. Thirty minutes later, they would have been both upstairs sleeping, and they would have found me on the floor the next am.
DH’s surgery went well, but about an hour after he got to the ICU his blood stopped clotting. He had been on a blood thinner for 6 days, but stopped a week ago to clear his system for surgery. The first hour after surgery apparently used up all the platelets he had, so he started bleeding from his chest tubes. They’ve given him platelets, plasma, and whole blood and he’s still bleeding, but it looks like it’s finally started to clot. He’s not out of the woods yet, so prayers are appreciated.
His mom is there with him; I just ran home to feed the guinea pig, then I’m going back. We’ll probably both spend the night there. DH is still on the ventilator, which is annoying the hell out of him, but they don’t want to remove the breathing tube until he stops bleeding in case they have to open him up again.
Prayers for him, you and the family. And Hugs.
So sorry to hear that he had the complication. Hope no new surgery will be needed. Keeping your family in my thoughts and prayers!!!
(If he is annoyed, that sounds like a good sign. 
)
Keeping you and your H in my thoughts and prayers. How difficult for all of you! Hope things are turning around by now.
Thoughts and prayers that your DH has a peaceful, uneventful night.
Unfortunately the bleeding hasn’t stopped, so they’ve called in the cardiac team to take him back to the OR and find the bleeder. Damn.
Healing thoughts your way, stevensmama.
Wishing your husband and you the best, stevensmama.
Sending good thoughts to you and your husband, stevensmama.