Often patients are admitted to the hospital the morning of their surgery from home.

During the five days leading up to the surgery, you will be asked to take daily showers with an anti-bacterial soap such as hibitane or steri-stat. This helps to reduce the risk of post operative incisional infection. The entire body is to be washed with this soap, including the hair. Careful attention should be taken when cleaning the chest, legs and fingernails.

If you are taking aspirin, or warfarin (coumadin), these drugs should be stopped 5 to 7 days prior to surgery to deduce the risk of bleeding.

Most patients will attend a hospital pre admission clinic where they will meet with the anaesthetist to discuss previous surgeries, medical and family histories, allergies and other medical conditions. This is the time to bring up any questions of concerns. It is also the time to divulge any helpful information the recovery nursing staff may need to be aware of. For example anxiety disorders, alcohol consumption or recreational drug use. Many alcohol and drug related post operative problems can be avoided if the staff are aware ahead of time.

You will also meet with the physiotherapist. The physiotherapist will review proper body mechanics to be used post-operatively. Body mechanics means the way you use your body for everyday activities. These will have to be altered a bit once the surgery is completed. For example, the use of arms for pushing or pulling yourself out of bed or a chair is strictly prohibited. The use of arms will place uneven pressure on the sternum (breastbone) that has been cut to access the heart. This will impede healing and may lead to further complications.

The physiotherapist will also go through the daily post operative exercise regime to help get your strength back. Another important role the physiotherapist has is to teach the breathing and coughing exercises. These are done to help re-expand the lungs after surgery. Often the bottoms of the lungs are slower to expand fully. Deep breathing and coughing help to re-inflate them, and reduce the risk of pneumonia.

A lab technician will collect you blood, and ECG technician will do an electrocardiogram (an electric tracing of your heart).

You and you family member will view a video reviewing what to expect both before and after surgery and plans will be made regarding you discharge home. These plans will include how you will get home, who is going to stay with you, do your grocery shopping, and cook you meals for the first few weeks (if you live alone).

It all seems a lot to take in; a booklet with all you need to know will also be given prior to surgery. The nursing and medical staff is always available to answer questions throughout the hospital stay.

Baring no complications you may be home as early as the evening of the fourth day after surgery.

What is Bypass Surgery? - Who has Bypass Surgery?
Index

Kim Lowry, April 1, 2002