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This week I have been informed that I need By pass Surgery to repair some blockages in my heart ( and they said I did not have one) . The operation date is not set yet but hope it will be mid December.
I would ask of other members who may have gone through this to comment on how it was getting back to sailing. If you do not want to respond on the board I understand however could you send a PM.
At least I will have the winter to heal and would like to think I will be able do work on the boat by late April.
I've not had this surgery, but I have an Uncle who had it several years ago. He isn't a sailor, but he is an active older guy. He was up and doing some light yard work the week after the surgery. I think it depends on how many bypasses you need, and how long you've had a problem. If you've been limited by this problem for a long time, then you will probably soon feel better than you have in a long time! Good luck!
... but my grandmother did and an ex-boss did, too (among others).
They were both up and around in no time. The longest wait is until you drive because until the sternum heals up, the docs are afraid of steering wheel impact.
Good luck with both the surgery and the recovery. I think you're already ahead of the game if they're not rushing you into the operating room.
(I'm also thinking that blocked plumbing is not an unusual topic on this board.)
Just got back from an offshore trip with the owner/skipper of a large cruising boat. He had six stints for blocked arteries and had been through numerous surgeries in the past. Still going like gangbusters. Nothing seemed to slow this guy down!
Best - J www.skippertips.com
It happens all of the time. You are one of the very lucky ones. Some have no pre-warning at all.
The year before last, I had a triple. I had a constant pain in my left shoulder and upper forearm. "Not to worry", I was told. "It's only arthritis."
Two o'clock in the morning the pain got so bad I couldn't sleep. I looked in the medicine cabinet for anacin, excedrin or other pain killer. All I found was a bottle of aspirin. I gulped a couple of them and they drove me to the emergency room. I was later told that the aspirins saved my life, I was having heart attacks.
The bypass slowed me down for a few months, longer than normal because of my age. I feel fine now and am raring to go. The modern procedures they practice today are light years ahead of what once was.
Best of luck. My dad had a quintuple done, and he was much healthier after than before. My guess is that if you follow the docs' advice, you will be good to go in the spring.
Take care,
Dean
Dean Abramson
Cape Dory 31 "Loda May"
Falmouth, Maine
A good friend of mine had quadruple by pass surgery in April 06. Last summer he sailed from Noank, CT to Bermuda. He does all his own maintenance on a Sabre 36 and you'd never know he had a problem. He does watch his diet more carefully now.
I had a double 20 years ago. I worst part for me was the walking, following surgery. They removed the large vein from my left thigh and used it along with the mammery vein for the bypass. But, with a regular walking schedule, I was doing 5 miles a day in less than 6 months and had never felt so good! In fact, for several years I felt 10 years younger. Remember - the cardio rehab and the new eating style are essential, or you will be back on the OR table. But, follow the program and you will never feel so good as after the recovery period!
The operation date is not set yet but hope it will be mid December. 
