Questions about the operation
How long do heart operations normally take?
Heart operations take between 2.5 and 5 hours. The duration of the operation depends on the type of surgery. However, the operations also differ from patient to patient, so that the duration of the operation can only be roughly estimated.
Are you aware of the operation during the procedure?
No, because you will be given a sedative medication some time before the operation and the operation will be carried out under anaesthetic. Throughout the operation, you will be safely monitored by the anaesthetist via various monitors.
Where do I go after the operation?
Immediately after the operation, you will be transferred to one of our two intensive care units. Only here do you slowly wake up. Some patients have difficulty moving their arms and legs properly immediately after waking up from anaesthesia. This is due to the after-effects of the anaesthetic and disappears after a short time.
How high is the risk?
The risk of surgery is different for each patient. It depends mainly on the type of disease and the overall physical condition. Your doctor will discuss your individual risk with you in a personal consultation.
How long does a bypass last?
As a rule, bypassA vascular bridge. A bypass is used to circumvent narrowed sections of blood vessels. This allows organs to be supplied with sufficient blood again, for example. surgery can permanently improve the blood flow to the heart muscle. Rarely, bypasses can close again. Therefore, you should consult a doctor if you experience discomfort again. To reduce the risk of this, you should eliminate all risk factorsCollective term for factors that can pose a health risk. These include alcohol and nicotine consumption, obesity, high blood pressure, sugar and fat metabolism disorders, high cholesterol levels, stress, lack of exercise, etc. that threaten your blood vessels. This means stopping smoking, getting rid of excess weight, working with your GP or cardiologist to ensure that blood pressureThe pressure in the blood vessels caused by the pumping action of the heart and the vascular resistance., blood sugar and blood lipids are normalised and getting regular physical exercise.
Questions about the intensive care unit
When can you eat and drink again?
After the operation, you will receive further care in the intensive care unit. You will usually not remember these first hours, as the effect of the anaesthetics lasts for some time after the operation. Four hours after the breathing tube has been removed, you may eat and drink again. Don’t be surprised if the food doesn’t taste right in the first few days. On the one hand, the operation is very strenuous, so that even eating can be very tiring. On the other hand, you may have a queasy feeling in your stomach and simply not feel any appetite. The sense of taste may also be altered in the first few days after the operation. It is important that you eat at least small portions to regain your strength.
Where do states of confusion come from after surgery?
These are temporary disturbances. Such so-called transitional syndromes can occasionally occur after heart operations. A transitional syndromeCertain signs of the disease occurring together in combination. can manifest itself in the following ways:
- Restriction or alteration of consciousness
- Sleep-like state
- Delirium
- Hallucinations
- Delusions
- States of excitement
Possible causes are the anaesthetic and the use of the heart-lung machine during the operation. However, you do not have to worry about this, because these symptoms are always temporary and the staff are very experienced in this regard and will take very good care of you.
Why are the arms and legs swollen after the operation?
During the operation, water is stored in the tissue, which is excreted in the first few days after the operation. You will be given supportive diuretic medication. Swelling is common after surgery, especially in the legs, particularly if a vein has been removed from the leg for a bypass. This can last for a few weeks. To counteract this, our patients receive support stockings after the operation.
Why do you only get a little to drink on the first day after the operation?
During the operation, water enters the body through the use of the heart-lung machineEquipment that takes over the work of the lungs and the stopped heart during heart surgery. The blood is directed from the vena cavae and thus out of the body into the machine, where it is enriched with oxygen and then pumped back into the body. During this process, the blood is cooled down and warmed up again after the operation., which has to be excreted again after the operation. Therefore, during the first two days after the operation, a precise record is made of how much water you have excreted. The amount of fluid you can consume is measured according to this. This balance between excreted and newly supplied fluid is very important for your recovery. We know that this feeling of thirst shortly after the operation can be very unpleasant. Remember that drinking little after surgery is an important medical measure to help your recovery. You are allowed to drink more from the second day after the operation.
Questions about the normal ward
Do I have to take blood-thinning medication for the rest of my life after heart valve surgery?
Mechanical heart valves usually last indefinitely. However, you will have to take blood thinning medication (Marcumar ®) permanently. Biological heart valves, on the other hand, have a limited shelf life. In this case, the long-term use of blood-thinning medication is not necessary. Your heart surgeon will discuss whether a mechanical or a biological valve is more suitable for you in detail during the consultation before the operation.
When will you be fit again?
Even on the second day after the operation, you will take your first steps again with the support of the nurses and physiotherapists. It is important to exercise after the operation as this contributes to recovery. In addition, we recommend a subsequent stay in a rehabilitation facility.
When can I take a shower?
If the wound heals normally, showering is allowed again a few days after the operation.
What happens to the stitches after the operation?
The stitches are removed about ten days after the operation.
Where do I go after my stay in the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery?
Following the inpatient phase, you will either be transferred back to your regional hospital for follow-up care or referred directly to a rehabilitation facility. The ward physicians will talk to you in good time before your discharge and take over the organisation of all further steps. The staff of our social services are there to help you. In both cases, the transfer is made by ambulance transport. The trip is organised for you and the costs are covered by your health insurance.
When will the sternum be stable again?
As the sternum takes around 6 to 8 weeks to heal, you should avoid heavy physical activities during the first three months, especially lifting heavy loads. This also includes suitcases and shopping bags.
What medicines do I have to take and what about the old medicines?
Your ward doctor will tell you which medicines you need to take. Your GP will also be informed about this in your doctor’s letter. Your cardiologist is the best contact person for questions regarding further medicationAdministration and dosage of a medicine..
Questions about discharge
How resilient will I be when I get home again?
This depends on the individual course. This question will be discussed with you at length in the follow-up treatment (rehab).
When can you do sport again and how intensively?
First of all, we recommend that you stay in a rehabilitation facility after the heart operation. Under guidance, you will learn to stabilise your resilience and rebuild your performance capacity step by step. In principle, it can be said that sport after heart surgery is not only possible but also desirable. However, you should pay attention to your body’s symptoms. For example, if you get tired or feel a twinge in your chest, take a break and if you do not feel well, contact your doctor. Strength training and jerky movements, such as squash, are strongly discouraged, as are competitive sports. In principle, you should only resume your sport after consulting your cardiologist. As a rule, it makes sense to adjust your physical activity to your performance level with the help of a heart rate monitor.
When can you go back to work?
This depends mainly on your wound healing. People who have to do heavy physical work in their job should not return to work until about three months after the operation. People who do not have to work so hard can usually return to work four weeks after discharge from hospital.
When will you be allowed to drive a car again?
Experience shows that you will be able to drive again four to six weeks after the operation, i.e. after returning from the follow-up treatment. In any case, ask your doctor before you want to go on your first ride.
Can you still fly after heart surgery?
In principle, flying is allowed again after rehabilitation. We recommend that you carry documents such as the doctor’s letter and information about medication with you.
What is the quality of life like after heart surgery? Do you have to see doctors all the time?
It is necessary that you have your heart examined at regular intervals so that it can be checked whether the success of the operation is lasting. These examinations are carried out by your cardiologist, who will also continue to look after you when you are back home. We are always available for special cardiac surgery questions.
How often should I go for follow-up after the operation and where?
Even if you do not feel any pain, the first check-up with your cardiologist or GP should be about three months after your operation. If everything is in order at this time, further checks at six-month to one-year intervals are often sufficient. Nevertheless, only your cardiologist should determine the frequency of examinations. If you have any complaints or unclear symptoms, you should always consult a doctor immediately.
What can you do yourself to stay healthy after a bypass operation?
When the operation is over and you are back home, you will need to take certain medicines. Please take these in consultation with your GP or cardiologist. Please adhere to the prescribed dosage. Since coronaryConcerning the coronary vessels that supply blood to the heart muscle. arteryA blood vessel leading away from the heart that transports oxygenated blood to the organs. Arteries pulsate and can be palpated on the wrist, for example (pulse). The aorta is the main artery of the body. stenosisNarrowing of vessels or valves. can continue to progress even after bypass surgery, it is essential that you are aware of any risk factors and adjust your behaviour to actively counteract them:
- Be sure to give up smoking.
- Reduce excess weight.
- Identify possible stress factors and counteract them.
- Build exercise into the rhythm of your life.
- Pay urgent attention to your blood sugar level if you are diabetic.
- Have your blood pressure optimally adjusted.
- Eat a balanced and low-fat diet.
- Go regularly for a follow-up check-up. Your cardiologist will determine the intervals between the examinations with you.
When can you lead a “normal” life again afterwards?
Most patients feel back to normal two to three months after the operation. However, the length of the recovery phase also depends on the type and severity of the operation. Also, older people usually take longer to recover than younger people.
