Let's learn about Triple Bypass Surgery in a simple way.

It's normal to feel a little scared and nervous when your doctor tells you that a family member or friend needs bypass surgery. Especially when you hear the word "triple bypass," that fear can be even greater. "Is triple bypass a big risk?" "Will I be able to live normally after this?" You probably have a lot of questions on your mind. So, let's talk about this in a simple, understandable way to clear up all the concerns you have about it.

What exactly is a 'triple bypass' surgery?

The best way to understand this is to think about a traffic jam on a road. Imagine that there are three main roads where all the cars are stuck, creating a huge traffic jam. So you can't get to where you want to go quickly. What do we do at this time? We use bypass roads to avoid those traffic jams, right?

This surgery is the same. The main blood vessels that supply blood to our heart (coronary arteries) are blocked by fat and cholesterol deposits (we call this `plaque`). In a `triple bypass` surgery, three new routes are created for blood flow, bypassing these three blocked areas.

To do this, surgeons take a healthy blood vessel from another part of your body (often from your leg, arm, or inner chest) and transplant it, like a new 'bypass', around the blocked area in your heart. This allows the heart muscle to receive blood without any obstruction. This operation is medically called a `Coronary Artery Bypass Graft` or `CABG`.

Who is recommended to have this surgery?

This surgery is usually required for people with coronary artery disease . Not everyone, but for those with certain conditions.

• If there is significant blockage in the main blood vessels that supply blood to the heart. For example, if more than 50% of the left main artery or more than 70% of the other branch arteries are blocked.
• If these blockages cause frequent symptoms such as chest pain (angina) and difficulty breathing .
• If you are at high risk of having a heart attack.
• If the blockage is too complex or extensive to be treated with a less invasive treatment such as angioplasty (a procedure in which a balloon is used to widen the artery and a stent is placed),

What happens before and during the surgery?

After deciding on the day for surgery, your doctor will order several tests to better assess your condition.

You will be advised to avoid eating or drinking anything from midnight the night before your surgery. You may also need to stop taking certain medications, such as blood thinners, for a few days.

During surgery

This is often done as an `open-heart surgery` . You are fully anesthetized (put to sleep) and the surgery begins. The surgeon makes a vertical incision about 6 inches down the middle of your chest, carefully divides the middle bone of your chest (sternum) in two, and reaches the heart. Then, as mentioned earlier, a healthy blood vessel taken from your leg or another part of your body is used to create a new path around the blockage. The entire procedure can usually take between 3 and 6 hours .

What happens after the surgery? How long does it take to recover?

After surgery, you will be kept in the intensive care unit (ICU) for about a day, where you will be closely monitored. During this time, you will have a tube in your mouth to help you breathe, a tube to drain fluids from your body, and machines to monitor things like your heart rate and blood pressure. Don't be alarmed by these things, these are all normal things done for your well-being.

You will be able to return to the general ward in a day or two. You may also be able to start walking gradually. After you go home, it may take about 6 weeks or more to fully recover. It is very important to follow your doctor's instructions during this time.

• Driving: Avoid driving until your sternum heals (about 6 weeks).
• Heavy lifting: Do not lift anything heavier than 4-5 kg ​​(for example, a 5-liter bottle of water).
• Medications: Medications like `Aspirin`, which are given to prevent blood clots, may need to be taken for life. Other medications should be taken as directed by a doctor.
• Cardiac Rehab: You will also be advised to undergo a special exercise and lifestyle training program under the supervision of doctors to strengthen your heart after surgery. This is a must.

Are there any risks to this surgery?

As with any major surgery, there are risks. However, more than 95% of people who have bypass surgery do not develop serious complications. The risk of death is less than 1%, especially with planned surgery. Possible complications include:

• Decreased kidney function
• Stroke
• Blood clots
• Transplanted blood vessel failure
• Infection of the incision wound
• Irregular heartbeat (`Atrial Fibrillation`)

Things like that may be included. But the likelihood of these occurring is very low.

When do you need to see the doctor after you go home?

If you develop any of the following symptoms after returning home, you should notify your doctor immediately.

• Bleeding or pus from the cut
• Fever
• The pain in the wound is increasing.
• Heart rate increase

Also, be sure to go to the clinics and see the doctor on the scheduled days after the surgery.

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