Video #2 of 4 - What will be happening during your Open Heart Surgery - An Open Heart Surgery Series 

You're welcome! I'm happy to know they helped you. I wish for you a continued and speedy recovery, good luck and may God Bless! Jim

I wish I knew about these videos before I had my surgery Aug 2022

0l0k hi

@@patriciaparsons2655 oh me too!! The worse part for me was waking up still intubated and arms restrained🥺🥺 I was terrified

Omg that's exactly the procedures I had just 4 weeks ago after open heart surgery. These videos were super helpful while preparing for this mind-blowing surgery because this surgery was so very intense compared to any other surgeries I've had. Waking up with a breathing tube sucks for a hot minute 😫 and unfortunately my mind was so hazy I forgot all about calming my mind and I definitely tried moving my hands to get that thing out of me!!!

He Nathanieldortch6253. Thank You for sharing! I hope your surgery went well! My husband is having a trip bypass in 2 weeks and he's scared and nervous, understandly. If you can give an update, it would be appreciated. God Bless You!

Sorry to hear that you're alone Nathanial. That must have been a very lonely experience. I hope you're well into recovery now and back at home. Good bless.

You are not alone,u h'v GOD may your surgery go well be strong

Father be with your child touch his hand guide these doctors hand and give him a speedy recovery in Jesus name we pray and father we will continue to give you the praise

Hope your surgery went well Nathan 🙏

Hi Bev, I'm happy your brother is doing well long term. I giggled a bit when you talked about his wires. My wires are the ones shown on the x-ray in the video. I'm sure recovery was much more difficult back then. I've been told as much as two weeks in the hospital post-op. Now 4 or 5 days. I wish for him continued good health and may God Bless! Jim

Hey there! I had a question about this. My dad recently got a triple bypass surgery with only grafts taken from his 2 legs and 1 from his arm. So Wanted to know his situation since it seems similar in that no mammary artery was used! Is he diabetic?

Hi Wish, Thank you for your kind words, and you're welcome! Jim

You're welcome! I am happy that you found the videos useful. Good luck on your cardiac journey, and may God Bless. Jim

You're welcome sir, I'm happy you found the videos to be helpful. You now have at your fingertips all the information you need to minimize the fears attached to the process. As I tell many patients, "Knowledge is Power". I wish for you a successful procedure, good luck, and may God Bless! Jim

Ur very welcome young man and thanks for your amazing service and bravery

Believe me dear, for most people it is not the monster most of us imagine. The key is to prepare. If you know what is happening and why it makes the whole process much more tolerable. I have said to many patients, "Knowledge is Power". And by the way it is perfectly normal to be anxious prior to this type of surgery. If you end up needing surgery I wish for you a successful procedure, speedy recovery, good luck, and may God Bless. Jim

Hi Greg, do me a favor, no motorcycle until you are at least 6 weeks post surgery. It takes that long for your breast bone to heal. Even a small wrong move could lead to popping one of your wires. I know how you feel, I rode for years and couldn't wait to get back on. But always err on the side of caution. Sounds like you're doing great there will be many rides in your future. I don't know if you checked out Video #4 but there are some great tips to help with your recovery. Happy motoring, Jim

How r u doing noe

Ancient rule that most publications no longer follow. Pediatric writing, for example, alternates between the two in the same piece. When I say "he", you aren't picturing a woman, and vice versa. If you want to stick with just one, let's switch to a universal "she." You'd feel included in "she," right?

@@McPierogiPazza Switching back and forth as well as using the word "they" is very confusing. There is a reason the grammar rule was put into place before the overly sensitive people of my generation who have no real problems to think about decided they knew better 🙄

Good luck and if you need any other qustions answered just ask. Jim

Hallo my name is Claudiu how you feeling ,also i do 16 april this year 2024

Good luck. I am feeling very very well as it was a success. I am very active in hiking a so happy I am able to do so

Hi Jason, it is normal to be scared. Nobody goes through this type of surgery without being anxious. Hopefully after your surgery you will have some new found energy which is what many patients report. Check out Video 4 it will give you some helpful tips for your recovery. Remember "Time is your Friend". Give your body the time it needs to heal. Good luck and may God Bless. Jim

@@aheartbeataway4u360 hi many thanks im only 43 & having this done work I do aviation security hopefully I will be able to return to do once recoverd

@@jasonclarke6983 Hopefully you are undergoing a quick recovery. God bless and take care!

@@jasonclarke6983 I hope you are doing great Jason! Be well :)

Blessings to you

How is your recovery coming along? My Open Heart surgery was in March of this year... still recovering. I hope your feeling better🙏🏽

Arabella, hope you are doing good!

Take care

I'm asking why do I get pins and needles in my thighs after the operation

This is what I’m planning for. Need an aortic valve replaced and would prefer minimally invasive.

Thank you for sharing your experience. You are a true cardiac warrior. As I think about the history you describe, I can not help but also think about all of the medical professionals who have helped along the way to make you a very special 1%'r. You are living proof that with the proper medical intervention, life can not only be extended but even enjoyed. I hope that those who read your message will see that if they too are facing heart surgery that it is by no means over. I wish for you a speedy recovery from your Ablation, and may God Bless. Jim

Wow…. Thank you for your story. I’m about to have 4 to 5 bipass. Right and left Descending Artery’s, included widow-maker…. I am nervous.

Thank you so much...I still battle cardiac issue Nov 2023 I took five Nitro during the month. God bless you my friend @@aheartbeataway4u360

Hi Dawn, It is perfectly normal to have those feelings. I don't think I've ever had an open heart surgery patient who wasn't really anxious. Now that you have seen the videos, you will be able to understand what is going on around you and why. Just that alone will make the whole process much more tolerable. As I say to many patients, Knowledge is Power! I wish for you a successful procedure, a speedy recovery, and may God Bless. Jim

Thank you so much God bless you also ​@@aheartbeataway4u360

Hi Kiryu, the best advice for the itching is to take a dry bath towel, fold it into a square, place it against your skin over your incision, and gently slide the towel up and down. You will be able to add more pressure as you heal a bit. You can also scratch the itch by sliding your fingers up and down, but keep your fingers about an inch away or more on either side of your incision. If you haven't yet viewed video #4 there are a lot of helpful tips for your recovery. Good luck and may God Bless! Jim

Thank you for your help

I'm sorry, I don't have a Spanish version. Jim

Hi Bonnie, I'm sorry I don't understand your comment. If you are describing the procedure, it is pretty much the same everywhere, except for maybe a difference in hospital procedures. And, although it is not a piece of cake, it is not a monster either. If you have any questions please just ask. God bless, Jim

Dan, if you are having chest pains and you are near an emergency room you need to get yourself checked out. An ounce of prevention is way better than a pound of cure. If you were given nitro by your doctor, and you take one, if the discomfort goes away in a reasonable period of time it is most likely a coronary issue, if not it is most likely muscular. Also if you choose not to go to the ER and you are having your stess test at a Cardiologist office, at the very least, call them, describe your symptoms, and see if you can get your stress test moved up. Knowledge is Power, if you get checked out you will know how to proceed. Good luck and God bless, Jim

You have a blockage

Never be afraid of going to the ER, that's not the dangerous bit, the dangerous bit is not going. I felt the pain in my chest and I knew what it was and living only 5 minutes from the hospital I foolishly got my wife to drive me there. The triage nurse almost didn't believe that I was having a heart attack because I was cool, calm and collected and had no sweaty hands, and a slow steady heartbeat. They took me through immediately anyway and a couple of hours later the the bloodwork started showing all the signs of a heart attack. Had I ignored it I could have been out of reach of needed help and died on the way to the hospital, So don't delay.

With all due respect.....get your ass to the ER now!! There are few second chances in this game.

Not to the gym for at least 6 weeks until your breast bone completely heals. No swimming until your incision completely heals, everyone is a little different, and that includes no baths. Hope this helps! Jim

Is there somthing you'd like to ask about pacemakers? Jim

@@aheartbeataway4u360 Mostly wondering if they have to turn it off? Hadn't thought of it before now. Going to have surgery in next few days, may have chance to ask. David

I have had pacer patients that have had them turned off for different procedures and the turned back on afterwards. I would assume the same for you, but to be certain check with your CT Surgeon. It is an easy thing to do.

@@aheartbeataway4u360 OK, during ER trip in May was told one lead is "fractured" but it "should" be alright. Went back to ER last week, had Cath, found 3 blocked arteries. As all of this is out of one building, and I've mentioned it to anyone who'd listen. Maybe they know what they are doing (?) Your video got me to wondering about what will happen if it's turned off? I WILL mention it again! Fun stuff, right? David

Hi Jas, There was never any intent on my part to undermine to role played by the Cardiothoracic Anesthesiologist during cardiac surgery. As probably one of the most trained persons in the OR it stands to reason that patients rarely realize exactly what you do and/or how you do it. They think you just knock them out. I wish I could have given a better explanation but I tried to tell patients what to expect in those moments just before surgery. From my experience most of the time Anesthesiologist introduce themselves to the patient, identify the patient, ask relevant questions concerning the patient's medical history, have consent forms signed, ask the patient if they have any questions, answer any questions the patient may have (which rarely happens because patients don't know what to ask), and then leave the room. Without the expertise and/or time to explain a detailed description of what an Anesthesiologist does, I focused on what might actually happen in those moments just before surgery. I did not explain in detail what the Cardiothoracic Surgeon does either for exactly the same reasons. If there is something that you feel needs to be added please let me know and I will be happy to provide the information to patients whenever possible. I hope you will accept my apology if you felt that I was downplaying the role of the Anesthesiologist, that was never my intent. And thank you for your thought provoking comment. Jim

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2:42

Hi! First, let me say that it is perfectly normal to be scared. I don't remember ever having a patient facing open heart surgery that wasn't anxious. Some just deal with it better than others. So let me make some suggestions and see if it helps. Have a conversation with your surgeon about your panic disorder. Let him/her know about how you are feeling, and they may be able to prescribe something to help you with your anxiety. If you have a medical professional that you work with managing your disorder, they may be able to intercede on your behalf with your surgeon and also your anesthesiologist. Prior to surgery, you will meet with your anesthesiologist, and you can discuss it with them also. If you are in the hospital prior to your surgery, you can inform your nurse, who will add the information to your chart. You may also be able to do this when and if your hospital has you come in for a pre-op appointment. Try your best to relax. As we get more anxious, our imagination kicks into overdrive, and most of what we imagine is usually wrong, not real, and not based in fact. In the videos, I have given you as accurate of a description as possible. I did not try to sugarcoat anything. Learning the information within the videos will give you the ability to know what is going on around you and why. I often say to patients, "Knowledge is Power!". You got this. I wish for you a successful procedure, a speedy recovery, and may God Bless! Any other questions please don't hesitate to ask. Jim

@aheartbeataway4u360 thank you so much! I have my informational/classes on the August 1sr. Hopefully that will help so much!

@@aheartbeataway4u360 Hi, Jim. Unfortunately, I had zero warning; went to the ER with upper thigh pain that I was sure was another blood clot- thank GOD the doctor did not just send me home and say follow Up with your primary in 3 days. I was having a heart attack right in front of him! But I was arguing with him that I felt fine, just check out my leg, etc. They put me straight into ICU, tried the angiogram with stents, immediately recognized that my heart was not o pop impinge on the bottom at all, and only 40% of it was working at all! I was transferred to the big city hospital, where I had a LOT of things happen in minutes on the way to open heart surgery at 63. I was in ICU for 9 days. Unfortunately, my right leg was amputated years ago due to an accident; my left leg was not working at all due to Polyneuropathy, and then I was not able to use my arms at all from the surgery! They sent me to TCU, which was absolutely horrible- they assumed because I was the youngest person in the heart ward that I could take care of myself-but they were so wrong! Anyways, I know it was an emergency situation- but they should have at least TOLD me that I would not be able to use ANY of my limbs after my heart surgery! Or that the people at TCU would not help me! If I have to do it all over again because I get an infection due to overusing my arms, I will not do it again. I am so grateful that you are putting up these videos for people who know ahead of time what to expect! I wish I had known, and been a little prepared for what was to come. I am just now home, with zero help, waiting on a new wheelchair because the old one does not have reliable brakes nor foldaway sides to help me get around, to the potty or chair, without using my arms to lift myself (they sent a broken wheelchair and do not care that I NEED one that works)- as long as they get paid. Anyways, thank you for your amazing videos.

​@@kimminer7341My prayers are being directed to God on your behalf. So many good RNs and Drs out there, sorry you met those that were not up to par.

Hey friend, Try to read OSHO'S books to relax. If you read you must recover from this disorder. Pls try my friend. I also have the same. And ready many books. Finally I recovered

Correct. Or sometimes they replace it with a wad of chewing gum.

They don't tell you,, but they have a bloody bucket of parts left over that they incinerate...

Hi Princess, I won't sugarcoat it, the surgery is by no means a piece of cake. But it is not a monster either. The critical care nurses do this every day, and I have found most of them to be both compassionate and professional. They are there to help you through the post-op process, which is probably the most difficult part of the procedure. After my recovery period, I went back to doing anything and everything that I wanted to do. You appear to be a young person, which means you have many wonderful things ahead of you. It would be a shame for you to miss out on so much because of fear. That is exactly why I created these videos so that patients would know what to expect, and hopefully, they wouldn't be afraid over the unknown. As I have said to many patients, "Knowledge is Power!" I will be happy to answer any questions you may have, and I promise to give you a straight answer. If you need the surgery, talk to your CT Surgeon about your concerns, and become as informed as you can be. If you need anything you know where to find me. Good luck, and may God Bless! Jim

@@aheartbeataway4u360 I did an ECG and it said "RSR (QR) IN V1/V2 consistent with right ventricular conduction delay" What exactly does that means? I'm getting pain as well and when I'm walking I'm feeling to faint. My appetite is decreasing and I'm vomiting. The doctors in my country isn't doing anything but giving me paracetamol and acid tablet. I had my gallbladder removed in 2018. I've a daughter, and I'm a single mom. Plus, my mom is stressing me out everytime. Do you think in my case they could give me treatment? Please, reply back 😭

@Princess Hi Princess, I am sorry you are so upset by your cardiac situation. It would be inappropriate for me to offer medical advice as, first of all, everyone's situation is unique, and only your doctor can advise you on your best medical course of action. I'm not a doctor, I am a heart patient just like you, with lots of on the job training and 8+ years as a heart ambassador meeting with pre and post op cardiac patients. But what I can do is try my best to help you understand better what is going on. I tell patients that there are two groups of Interventional Cardiologist and CT Surgeons. Think of this group as Plumbers. This group fixes blockages in the arteries of the heart with things like stents, bypass surgery, valve repairs and replacements, etc. Think of the other group as Electricians. They work on the electrical conductivity of the heart to make sure that your heart is beating properly and in the proper sequence. They do things like implant pacemaker/ defibrillators, and they do procedures that can help to reestablish normal heartbeat rhythms. From what you described, it appears that you are working with the second group of Cardiologist. It would explain shortness of breath etc. if you are experiencing delays and or other arythmias.The best thing to do is to schedule an appointment with your Cardiologist, before your appointment, write down all of your questions and concerns so that you don't forget to ask something. And if they say something you don't understand, ask them to explain it to you. And last but not least, ask them what needs to be done. It will help to give you some peace of mind, and help you to relax a bit. You also always have the right to get a second opinion if you feel you are not getting the answers and/or care you feel you need. I hope this helps. Any other concerns, don't hesitate to ask. Good luck, and may God Bless! Jim

@@aheartbeataway4u360 I know that you're trying to encourage me. And, I appreciate it alot. But, the doctors in my country is the worse the health system in Trinidad and Tobago is the worse. They prolong everything plus I'm stressing out alot my daughter and my mom stressing me out 😭 Sometimes, I feel being dead is better they're going to realize my worth when I am gone. Thanks for your help.

@Princess Let me think about this, and I will get back to you. You hang in there! Jim

It is not the monster that most people think it is going to be especially if you are prepared with what to expect. It isn't a piece of cake either let's face it heart surgery is a big deal. That is why I do my best to get the information out to as many people as possible, and answer as many questions as I can - from a patients point of view. Your right it doesn't CURE heart disease but with the right changes in lifestyle and the appropriate repairs life can go pretty much back to normal for many people. We can't pick our genes but thankfully with the help of a skilled CT surgeon we can at least do something about it.

@@aheartbeataway4u360 Was an AWFUL experience for my Father who had 3 out of 3 of his Bypasses CLOGGED and USELESS after less than 3 years! I won't tell you (out of politeness) what my father told his Cardiologist when he said "Well, we can just go back in and do more grafts!" It's very painful, very expensive, and requires a LONG RECOVERY and carries with it no guarantee of how long the bypasses will be good for. In my fathers case that wasn't very long!!

@@balancedactguy I understand your feelings and I kind of know how your father must have felt getting the news that his grafts had failed. One of mine failed in less than a year. I remember how defeated I felt after all that I had been through. And, at the time there were no heart ambassadors to talk to. Fortunately they were able to re-open mine with a stent (I now have 13 stents). And some surgeons don't have a clue how patients feel about a re-do. A CT surgeon I work with is always quick to tell patients, "I know how to fix it, but Jim knows what it feels like", I have been asked by many patients about the same issues you bring up, and I have struggled to find some pearls of wisdom. So far I got nothing. Surgery is the best we have right now and until time and technology improve patient outcomes I do the best I can to help patients through that difficult time. I'm sorry for the experience your father and you went through, I wish I could have been his heart ambassador. Jim

@@aheartbeataway4u360 Jim, I'm sure you are honestly trying to help people and I commend you for your kind efforts. ...I just feel that TOO MUCH emphasis in Medicine is placed on treating the symptoms and NOT the underlying cause. I wonder how much research is being done on how to CLEAR OUT, or as they say "Reverse" clogged arteries instead of just going around (bypassing) them with a very unpleasant surgery that comes at a Huge financial cost...about $150k to $200k per surgery from what I have seen, and NO guarantees that it will last! . I have Two Stents in my heart...taking after my father with Heart disease I guess, but doing so a year EARLIER in life than he did. If EVER I hear from my Cardiologist that a CABG procedure is needed....I will refuse and just live out what time I have left. For me being a patient is a very humiliating experience that leaves one feeling totally helpless and at the mercy of a set of procedures that you just lie there and accept.....people just doing all sorts of stuff to you and you can't say "no". Good luck to you in your endeavors as I'm sure you are doing your best to help people with this unpleasant surgery. Mark

@bill whatman Yes...exercise is very important...as is diet. My Primary care Doc said at least 50% of MY heart problem is due to the genetics I inherited from my Dad. Maintaining a proper bodyweight is so important as well, especially to keep belly fat off. Good Luck as once you get something like Coronary Artery Disease, there is really NO cure.....even Surgery is not a cure...it just improves the conditions in your hear...but no guarantees coming with it....you just hope to halt the progression and control symptoms with drugs you will be on the rest of your life. I'm on Three for life. Take Care!

& yr point is???

i disagree its messy language thats not important. people are emotional and nervous so its hard to hear whats being said and any unnecessary language makes it more confusing

Ke

😂😂😂😂😂

But a she could be on her period on surgery day and might end up making a mistake because of her hormones 🌚

"He" was the norm 70 years ago to refer to he or she. So were many words which some young folks find offensive when they had nothing to do with being offensive in the first place. You can't force your viewpoint onto an older professional. Hard to teach old dogs new tricks. Moreover, this gentleman was professional enough to give a warning. So....

@wwlee5 You are not superior. Forcing your views and projecting them are not helpful. Inclusion is plural. Perceptions, like yours, is selfish, outdated, unhealthy, and best of all dying out. The women are taking it all back. You'll have nothing to do but accept communal accountability for healing and living as if healing is your purpose.

Please explain how the words "he" or "she" or "surgeon" and "doctor" have any affect on OHS? I guarantee you haven't even had OHS that's why you're busy dissecting his choice of words and not the actual education piece.