Triple bypass surgeryis a major surgery that takes between three to six hours.
It requires general anesthesia, meaning you’ll be unconscious while it’s happening.
On average, you’ll remain in the hospital for up to seven days.
Before the Surgery
The day of triple bypass surgery can be hectic and overwhelming.
The surgeon will mark the surgical site after you are fully prepped.
Your medications will be reviewed by the nurse and surgical team.
Bringing a list of the information is helpful so nothing is missed.
You will then be prepared forgeneral anesthesia, which will last for the duration of the surgery.
The patient may beplaced on a bypass machineduring the procedure depending on the surgeon.
The surgery can be performed “on-pump” or “off-pump”.
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.
The surgical incision is closed using mesh webbing, sutures, and/or staples depending on the surgeon’s preference.
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.
After the initial ICU recovery, you will be moved to a post-surgical unit to continue your recovery.
Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions.Your coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery team.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Coronary artery bypass grafting.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Coronary artery bypass graft surgery.
University of Michigan Health.Coronary artery bypass surgery: When you arrive at the hospital.
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Johns Hopkins Medicine.Off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery.
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting: Interventional procedures guidance.
