Bypass Surgery II

Wolfgang Streich

“In the years following my heart attack I did not really suffer from any heart trouble, but in September 2008 I suddenly fainted in a board meeting. When I regained consciousness, the paramedics and an emergency doctor were already preparing my transfer to hospital. Whether I liked it or not – the board meeting had to go on without me.“

The cardiological examinations in the Marienhospital Osnabrück on the same day showed that the narrowing of Wolfgang Streich’s coronary vessels had considerably aggravated since the most recent coronary angiography in 2002. As the coronary vessels showed a long-segment stenosis and the individual vessel ramifications were unfavourably crooked, the examining cardiologist ruled out the possibility of widening the narrowed sections by introducing a balloon catheter and stent. “Considering my anamnesis and the findings of the cardiological examination, the cardiologist advised me to undergo a bypass surgery in the Schüchtermann-Klinik. Particularly with regard to my future prognosis I guess the bypass surgery was the right decision for me. A catheter intervention would not only have been very complicated and risky but would probably have failed to bring the long-term success that can be expected from a bypass surgery.“ (see also Spiegel-article from 05.01.2009)

Surgery without waiting time

“Just two days after my examination in Osnabrück I received a letter from the Schüchtermann-Klinik. On Monday I was admitted and on Tuesday I was having surgery – that is what I call quickly being scheduled for surgery. Even though my surgery was not a case of emergency, I was glad to have the whole issue quickly over and done with. I imagine you will become quite demoralized if you have to await such a surgery for days or even weeks.“

In charge for the operation of
the heart-lung machine:
the cardiovaskular technician

In a 3-hour bypass surgery Prof. Dr. Henning Warnecke bridged the narrowed sections of the coronary vessels using the two chest wall arteries of the patient. “As quickly as they had scheduled me for surgery and performed it, as swiftly I recovered after the surgery. I wouldn’t have thought that a mere 4 days after the surgery I would be able to walk around the salterns of Bad Rothenfelde. Certainly, I have benefited from my positive attitude and the fact that I followed the advice given by doctors and nurses.“

Outpatient rehabilitation one week after surgery

“I was back on my feet so fast that I was able to start my rehab scheme already one week after the surgery. After having been informed about the various options I decided for a
3-week outpatient rehabilitation programme at the medicos.Osnabrück.“ The medicos.Osnabrück is an ambulatory health and rehabilitation centre offering a stylish ambience and excellent medical-therapeutic features of outpatient rehabilitation in a lovingly rebuilt former factory.

“The cardiological outpatient rehabilitation was exactly the right thing for me and it really did me good. Every day I enjoyed the relaxation in the wellness area of medicos.Osnabrück after having benefited from the diversified therapy programme, and then I went home at about
4 p.m. Just like the treatment in the Schüchtermann-Klinik I regard my therapy in the medicos.Osnabrück as being a wholistic experience. The professional skills and the humane treatment in combination with the consultation quality in both medical facilities is unequalled. The highly committed work of the physicians, nurses and therapists is most commendable.“

Ensuring the therapy success in the long run

“I am a dyed-in-the-wool man of the building trade, that is my basic attitude. In the parlance of my profession the bypass surgery is a retrofit solution. The boiler is kept in place, the piping was newly laid – so the whole system is to remain stable for another 30 years! And to help keeping it up on my part I take regular exercise. Twice a week I work out at the medicos.Osnabrück practicing therapeutic cardiovascular training. The physical training does me good, and in combination with a more balanced healthy diet I am on the right track to ensure the therapy success in the long run. I am looking forward to be able to continue my professional work for a long time to come, and hopefully with success. I am not the type to sit quietly at home; I simply enjoy my profession too much for that.“