Konrad Gehle, a 68-year-old entrepreneur and passionate golfer from Dinklage, had almost forgotten his first heart attack 20 years ago. Although he had changed his diet and stopped smoking at the end of the eighties, a cardiological examination in 2007 revealed that his cardiac muscle was not optimally supplied with blood.
Then, a cardiac catheterisation in May 2008 yielded clear results. Strong constrictions were found in a total of three coronary vessels and the blood flow to the heart could only be ensured by a bypass surgery.
Bypass Surgery I
"Given my history, I and my family were not much surprised about the cardiological recommendation to undergo a bypass operation", Konrad Gehle comments the response to his diagnosis. "My wife and my three adult children supported my positive attitude very much. I felt, I’d better take it somewhat easier at work and reduce my presence in the company. Actually, I could have enjoyed my retirement for three years already.“
"Before the surgery I made inquiries about heart hospitals in the proximity and, not least because of recommendations of friends, decided soon in favour of the Schüchtermann-Klinik. Not only the friendly reception like in a hotel but also the almost loving welcome to the surgical ward by doctors and the nursing staff gave me the feeling to have made the right choice", says Konrad Gehle, who was admitted as soon as a couple of days after his appointment request for the proposed bypass surgery.
The Head Physician, Prof. Dr. Henning Warnecke explained the chances for success of this surgery to his patient, "Restoring the blood supply of your heart muscle will not only restore your normal life expectancy, but will also enable you to perform your hobbies free of complaint." Specifically this forecast was important to Konrad Gehle, who is an active and adventuresome man.
Quick Recovery
Apart from the admission interviews and examinations, blood was taken on the admission day followed by an ECG examination and a chest X-ray examination. The two-hour bypass surgery, during which a chest coronary artery and two own veins from the leg were used for laying the bypass, went smoothly and without complications. Mr. Gehle could leave the intensive care unit already on the morning after his surgery.
The cardiac surgeons of the Schüchtermann-Klinik perform more than 2000 bypass surgeries every year.
"The operating procedure was very well organised. Before I knew what was happening, the surgery was all over and I was sitting at the table of my room in the nursing ward", Konrad Gehle wondered at his speedy mobilisation after the surgery. "Since I hardly suffered any pain I was soon on my feet again and I was able to participate in the mobilisation exercises without restrictions. As soon as 6 days after the surgery I was sitting on the ergometer and was able to train. Actually, I had expected considerable pain after such a big surgery and was positively surprised at the effectiveness of pain therapy.“
From the beginning of the three-week rehabilitation phase, which usually starts 12 days after the surgery and which Konrad Gehle could undergo in the in-house rehabilitation department, therapies and treatments were intensified. "I consider the tight and balanced rehabilitation programme very important to my healing success. The therapeutic scheme passes you from one treatment to the next and quickly restores the confidence in your own capabilities. There isn't much time for lazing around or pondering. That's just the ticket for those who want to be fit soon.“
Fit for the Future
Konrad Gehle puts his future plans into a nutshell, "Working less and fulfilling my long-cherished wishes." "I want to travel more with my wife and, in particular, want to know the nice regions of Germany better. I will continue to enjoy my golf hobby and improve my handicap. And, for a long time it has been my wish to learn how to fly and view the world from above. I'm confident that, after my bypass surgery, I will also pass the flight fitness examination, and then there will be nothing to keep me on the ground!“
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