Bypass surgery

[captain]

Anyone here diving after heart bypass surgery. Any problems encountered medical or otherwise. I had read in another forum that some LDS charters wanted a doctor's letter when they saw the scar.

Captain

 

[saholz]

I had open heart surgery to repair a valve 4 years ago. I had a mini-sternotomy to minimize the chest scar but still have a visible scar. I always carry a letter from my cardiologist when I go on a dive trip. The letter describes the surgery and states that I am fit to dive.

Remember that it's not just the fact that you have a scar...you also must disclose the operation on your medical history form and release. I have been challenged on this on two trips, so the letter is now standard and presented with my C-card.

Having said this, make sure that you really are fit to dive safely. I'm lucky in that my cardiologist is also a diver, a dive buddy, and a fellow underwater photographer.

Stay healthy.

Stan

 

[divemed06]

Do as saholz stated.

 

[garygavi]

I had a double bypass in 1995. I received advice from DAN that suggested that if I maintained 13 mets of fitness (about 9 minutes on a standard treadmill stress test that ends at 4.5 mph and 15 degrees of incline) and did not get too hot or too cold, I would probably be OK to resume diving. It would not be OK if I were to start diving lessons because of the stressors involved. My cardiologist bought this information and gave me his blessing because of my good selling job and the fact that I probably would have gone diving with or without his permission. He was not a diver.

I later had a doctor who is a friend and head of anesthiology and also a diver, tell me that he would not have given me permission to dive because of the tubes that were inserted below the chest cavity to provide post surgical drainage. Compressed air in this location could have caused major problems. However, since I have completed almost 300 dives since my surgery, I was lucky in suffering no ill effects and am able to continue diving.

Please do not use my case as an example of what should happen after bypass surgery since I was fortunate to suffer few ill effects from the surgery in my diving. The same may well not be the case for others.

 

[captain]

I don't get the compress air in the chest cavity from the drainage tubes once they are removed and the incision healed. What compressed air from what source. My surgry was in 99 and I can do 19 mets on a 15 degree ramp. I can run 3 miles at a 9 minute mile pace so physical fitness is not an issue. I have been diving for 30+ years and was diving right up to the time of surgery. I have dove since the surgery but only shallow and warm. I was primarly interested in what others experiances were.

Captain

 

[garygavi]

Hi Captain,

The compressed air comes from the tank you breathe from when diving. (You knew that.) Evidently the nitrogen bubbles may not dissolve well in the area where the drain tubes were located because of scar tissue. This could cause some form of DCS in that area.

A friend asked me to share my bypass experience with you so I did.

I certainly do not want you to use my experience to justify your diving without the blessing of a diving-knowlegeable cardiologist. It is good to see that you are very fit. The meds you are on could also affect your diving. Please check them out.

Good luck in continuing your fitness and diving pursuits.