- Before bypass surgery, let your doctor know about all medications and supplements you are taking since some pain relievers and supplements can act as blood thinners.
- If you are a smoker, quitting smoking before bypass surgery is one of the best ways to reduce your risk of complications.
- You should plan to be in the hospital for four to seven days and should arrange for some assistance with meals and household tasks when you get home.
- This article was reviewed by John Osborne, MD, PhD, and the Director of Cardiology for Dallas-based State of the Heart Cardiology.
- This story is part of Insider's guide to Heart Disease.
Coronary bypass surgery is a type of open-heart surgery that redirects blood flow around clogged arteries.
You may be a candidate for bypass surgery if you have several narrowed arteries, are experiencing severe chest pain, or your left main coronary artery is blocked, says John Robertson, MD, and director of Thoracic Cardiovascular Surgery at Providence Saint John's Health Center.
Doctors perform about 200,000 of these operations a year, increasing survival rates for patients with heart failure and advanced stages of coronary artery disease. If you and your doctor have determined you need bypass surgery, here are some of the best ways you can prepare.
Have open and honest conversations with your doctor
First, you'll likely have a few preoperative appointments to talk with the surgeon and get your questions answered. During these appointments it's important to be open and honest with your doctor about any concerns you have, as well as medications or supplements you are taking, Robertson says.
Many pain relievers, such as ibuprofen, as well as some supplements and foods, such as garlic, can act as blood thinners. Your doctor may suggest staying away from them in the days before your operation in order to control bleeding. Excessive bleeding during or after surgery is always a risk when undergoing a procedure that requires a surgeon to make an incision. Blood thinner medications, such as Plavix or aspirin, should also be stopped, Robertson says.
In the days leading up to your surgery, Roberston suggests resting and consuming foods rich in protein, since protein helps your body recover after an operation.
How to avoid complications from bypass surgery
Overall, bypass surgery is an effective and safe procedure with a mortality rate of around 2%, Roberston says, but with a complication rate of 20% to 30%.
Here are some of the most common complications associated with bypass surgery, and the best ways to prepare so you can avoid them:
- Infection. There is always a risk of infection with any operation or wound in the body, Robertson says, though you can decrease your risk of developing an infection by washing thoroughly with an antiseptic soap the night before your surgery. An antiseptic cleanser kills bacteria, viruses, and fungi for up to 24 hours after washing. You will also get an additional scrub in the hospital before the operation to minimize the risk of skin contamination.
- Bleeding. Reoperation to address excessive bleeding after bypass surgery occurs in 2% to 8% of cases, which can be a deadly complication. That's why it is important to discuss all medications and supplements with your doctor before your operation.
- Stroke. The risk of stroke after coronary bypass surgery is about 1% to 4%, while it is only 0.08% to 0.7% after general surgery. If you have atherosclerosis of multiple cerebral arteries (the arteries leading to the brain, where a stroke occurs) you may be at a higher risk — talk to your doctor beforehand to see if this applies to you.
- Lung failure. Particularly if you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or are a smoker. Quitting smoking is one of the best ways to reduce your risk of complications from bypass surgery, Robertson says. Stopping smoking even just a few weeks or days before your operation can help clear the lungs and make it safer for you to undergo bypass surgery.
Your hospital stay and returning home
A bypass surgery typically lasts about four to six hours, Roberston says, and you can expect to be in the hospital for four to seven days.
Plan to bring essential items with you, such as toiletries, pajamas, underwear, eyeglasses, socks and so on. Loose, comfortable clothing will be easier to take on and off and can accommodate any swelling you might experience post-surgery.
If you were living independently before your bypass surgery, you should be able to resume normal daily activities when you return home, though Roberson suggests lining up some help, particularly with cooking meals and other household tasks, for a few days while you recover.
To learn more about what to do after your operation, read our article, "How to recover from bypass surgery."
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- How to prevent a heart attack the first time and from happening again
- What is a silent heart attack? How to recognize the warning signs
- What are the signs of a heart attack? How to know if you're at risk
- How hypertension, heart disease, and stroke are related
- How to lower blood pressure with a heart-healthy diet and exercise
- What foods lower blood pressure and make up the DASH diet
- What causes high blood pressure and how to know if you have hypertension