I am getting one put in tomorrow. How long did they keep you in the hospital and how long were you off work for? If there is anything else I should no please feel free to say so. Thanks!
I know a few who had them, they all did well…
Good luck on the operation…
Rmpl
I had a stent placed in the proximal LAD (left anterior descending) coronary artery about nine years ago. Stayed in the hospital on a telemetry unit overnight and went home the next day. The major post-procedure concern (outside of restenosis) is bleeding from the groin where they insert the catheter into the femoral artery but they have nifty little collagen plugs and whatnot so you can usually be up and ambulating 8-12 hours after the procedure. As far as work goes, depends on what kind of work you do. There are some activity restrictions related to limiting the risk of bleeding from the groin site but most light activity is OK. Just be sure to voice whatever concerns you have to either your physician or nurse prior to discharge.
The larger issue for many, myself included, after having any type of cardiac intervention is psychological. That nagging little doubt every time you feel a skipped beat, a little chest discomfort, damn near anything out of the ordinary that has you thinking “Oh, shit! Is it my heart?” All I can say is it diminishes with time and your confidence level increases as you get back into your normal routine. Generally when folks are having legitimate cardiac problems, whatever physical symptoms they may have are accompanied by what’s called the “feeling of impending doom”, that sensation that something just ain’t quite right. If you get that gut feeling, DO NOT ignore it. Get in and get checked out ASAP. I know more than a few guys that got to feeling a little punk, decided to lay down for a rest, and didn’t get up.
That said, I’m in better physical shape now than I was when I had the stent placed. I work out regularly, have my weight back where it should be (OK, at least close to where it should be), and feel a whole lot better. Last time I saw my cardiologist, she kicked me out of her office, telling me, “Go for run, take your dogs for a hike, and stop bothering me. I’ve got sick people to see.”
Good luck with your procedure. Hope all goes well and you’re back in the saddle in short order.
Thanks guys. I feel better now.