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Posted 6/21/2006 3:30 PM (GMT 0)
 

Hello,

about 2 1/2 months ago I had a quadruple bypass. I tend to have a severe cough reflex and during the 1st three weeks of recovery coughed a lot and quite severely where most of the pain was concentrated in the Xiphoid area. I have since developed a what feels like movement or rubbing in the Xiphoid process area when in certain positions or perform certain movements. One which comes to mind, occurs when sweeping my garage floor another, is when I lay on my side or stomach. It doesn’t hurt but is an uncomfortable feeling and does concern me. I started experiencing the problem when I was in the 1th week of recovery and talked to my surgeon but I failed to communicate that it was in the Xiphoid area. He examined me (pressed on chest bone area) and said it was solid and that it was normal to have some movement and that I should give it about 10 weeks to heal. The problem seems to be increasing or at best isn’t improving. I talked to another Doctor and this time I did communicate that it was in the Xiphoid area and he said this was normal and would take 6 months to completely heal.

I have a few questions:

  1. Is the Xiphoid cut during the surgery or is it completely removed?
  2. Has anyone else experienced this during surgery?
  3. If the Xiphoid is cut in half and since it is mostly cartilage, is this feeling normal and does it take more than 2 ½ - 3 months to heal?
Posted 6/21/2006 3:55 PM (GMT 0)
Hi dane5547,  I just wanted to take a moment to welcome you to healing well forum.  I haven't experienced anything such as this or had a bypass surgery so I am unable to answer your questions.  I am sure however, that some of our veteran members will be along shortly to reply to your post.  I hope you continue to heal well from your surgery and take care
Posted 6/21/2006 7:13 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to the Healing Well Dane. It took me over 1 year to heal in this area and it's been 6 years and i still get sore and have pain. If it continues to bother you keep telling the Dr. until he listens.or find someone who will. I hate that your having this problem. The by-pass alone is enough to deal with. I'll keep you in my prayers. DELTA
Posted 6/21/2006 7:32 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Dane :-)

I am sorry to hear about your problems with the healing process. I have not had CABG, but I stayed at the H. Inn last night.......Hey, that's supposed to bring a smile.... eyes   I have heard many of the complaints made by recovering CABG patients and this has been an area probably most complained about (xiphoid).

If you had the traditional CABG surgery, your sternum was sawed in half. The newer types of CABG surgery, which have limits where they are indicated, due to the location of a blockage, etc, does not involve seperating your sternum.

Supposedly our xiphoid process has changed from cartilage to bone, by the age of 25 to 27.

I do know that when the xiphoid process is injured (fractured) like during football, that it can look abnormal and lumpy after it heals. I do wonder what it looks like after it has healed in a post CABG patient.

It takes a long time for the sternum to fuse after CABG. There are complications after surgery, I have read, that involve inflammation deep within the sternum. I will look up the name for this condition.

We have at least 2 Ladies, or members here, that have had CABG surgery. I wish that I could be of some help to you, myself. You have my sympathy and best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Rj

P.S. The term for a rare but possible complication post CABG is "Deep sternal wound infection" or DSWI.

Post Edited (Aldo) : 6/21/2006 1:42:24 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/22/2006 9:39 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Dane,

I had a quad bypass Feb 1 of this year. I too still hurt in the area of the xiphoid so I think that is pretty normal. Mine hurts too when I lay on my side etc. I don't know if your male or female, but my bra is a killer yeah I believe that it will just take time to heal. Best of luck to you!

Kim

Posted 7/3/2006 3:28 PM (GMT 0)
I have not experienced that type of pain since about 3 months after the bypass. I had single bypass 14 months ago, mammary to lad.

Just had a stress test and the cardiologist called me at 3PM on friday to tell me " I wish I had better news for you, but you have abnormal flow to the same area where you had the bypass and we have to do a heart cath asap to see if we can go in there and "fix" it.

Not happy.
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