If you aren't too busy being a pull toy, any comments on bypass surgery?

[havocmom]

My brother is going in for it on Friday. Sister-in-law wants me to try and visit him this weekend as there will be no family around and she can't stay there several days (long way from her home, animals at the huse to tend). I live 3 hour drive from where the he will be in the hospital. Was wondering if he is likely to even be awake by Sunday so I could see him.

Any DUers out there with any bypass experience? (Either first hand or close observation) Any info and comments would be a help. Feel free to PM me on the subject.

Thanks for your time... go back to running around the Lounge naked...

[MuseRider]

1. I was an ICU nurse for years

he will be awake in an hour or two at the most after his surgery. Sometimes they are pretty awake when they come over from surgery. It has been a while since I worked there but my uncle had this last year. If all goes well, we sit them up on the side of the bed only hours after they wake up. If it is an early surgery he might be up in a chair by late afternoon. Unless there is a problem this is a fairly easy surgery to recover from (from the standpoint of a nurse). At first he can't talk because of the endotracheal tube but once he is determined stable it comes out and you can talk. Go see him when you can. Good luck to you all.

[RoBear]

2. Go.

My experience (one year ago today! Happy anniversary!)was that when I first woke up two friends were standing there. Tried to speak but tube kept me from it. As I recall the second day was the worst, and others have told me the same thing. My sister, however, looked pretty perky the second day, so who knows? But you can be sure that by Sunday he'll be able to see you--maybe even speak if they've taken out the tube, which they probably will have. Most important thing is the encouragement you give. And assurances that what they're feeling is normal for someone whose body has essentially been assaulted. Take a little walk around with him if they want him to walk. Almost certainly he'll realize he didn't know how bad he felt before the surgery. In a year it's almost forgotten. Give all the encouragement you can. It's pretty scary stuff, but it's pretty amazing they can do this.

[havocmom]

3. Thanks for the info

and for the PMs regarding this. Just had no idea what to expect. Am much encouraged from the info you provided. Will grab a book he might enjoy incase he feels up to reading a bit during the coming week. Wish I could stay in town for the week he is likely to be in, but it is a long way from home and the new job I started. will have to settle for a weekend visit.

Thanks again for the encouraging information!