Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsBefore the SurgeryDuring the SurgeryAfter the SurgeryNext in Triple Bypass Surgery GuideTriple Bypass Surgery: Recovery
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Before the Surgery
During the Surgery
After the Surgery
Next in Triple Bypass Surgery Guide
On the day of the procedure, you will meet with the entire healthcare team including thecardiothoracic surgeon, cardiologist,anesthesiologist,perfusionist, operating room nurses, and other surgeons as needed.All operative consent forms will be signed at this time to ensure you are fully prepared and do not have any additional questions or concerns.
The registered nurse will takevital signsincluding:
Prior to going into the operating room for the procedure, patients will havepreoperative testsdone. This may include:
You will also be given asurgical soapthat must be used on the surgical sites to properly cleanse the area and prevent infection. After cleaning, you will be given a hospital gown and the nurse will shave the surgical area if needed. The surgeon will mark the surgical site after you are fully prepped.
Patients are instructed to empty their bladder prior to going into the operating room, and asked to remove all jewelry, glasses, contact lenses, and dentures if applicable.
Finally, the nurse will insert an intravenous catheter (IV) that will be used to provide hydration, medications, and anesthetics during the procedure.
When it’s time for the surgery, you will be taken into the operating room on a stretcher and then placed onto the operating room table. You will then be prepared forgeneral anesthesia, which will last for the duration of the surgery. Before the operation begins, the following will take place:
On-pump surgeryrefers to the use of a heart-lung machine that circulates blood and breathes for the body throughout the surgery. The machine allows doctors to stop the heart.
The second technique used isoff-pump surgery, also called “beating heart surgery.” It is done while the heart is still beating, and does not use the heart-lung machine. This is a more difficult surgery to perform because of its technical precision, but is the preferred approach for some surgeons.
After the grafts have been placed, the heart is restarted (if needed) via controlled electrical shocks. The surgical incision is closed using mesh webbing, sutures, and/or staples depending on the surgeon’s preference.
Steps of Open Heart Bypass Surgery
You will be given medication to keep you sleepy. If you start to wake up, you will not be able to talk with the breathing tube. It may feel uncomfortable but shouldn’t be painful. Once fully awake, the breathing tube will be removed.
You will spend a minimum of one day in the intensive care unit and will be hooked up to a variety of machines including a monitor for vital signs, an IV pump to deliver fluids and medications, and a catheter to drain your bladder.
After the initial ICU recovery, you will be moved to a post-surgical unit to continue your recovery. At this time, you will meet with a physical therapist, occupational therapist, and nutritionist to continue the recovery process.
Triple Bypass Surgery: Recovery
A Word From Verywell
Discuss any concerns and questions with your surgeon prior to the procedure to fully understand not only the surgical procedure but also the recovery process.
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