A 38-year-old member asked:
for how long does open heart surgery last?
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in

Dr. Frederick Tibayananswered
Thoracic Surgery 23 years experience
It depends: It depends on what operation you are talking about, taking certain medications, and controlling conditions like hypertension and diabetes.
Talk to your doctor if the operation lasting as long as possible is very important to you. This consideration can inform some choices for particular operations, such as heart valve surgery.
4.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
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A 34-year-old member asked:
How expensive is it to have an open heart surgery?
3 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in

Dr. Louis Grenzeranswered
Cardiology 55 years experience
Depends: It depends on where and exactly what surgery is done. For instance a bypass is less expensive than a valve replacement. Both together would be even more expensive. But the total cost would be about $60, 000 to $160, 000.
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:
How risky is open heart surgery?
2 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
A 41-year-old member asked:
What are common complications of open heart surgery?
2 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in

Dr. Mark Milunskianswered
Cardiology 37 years experience
Complications heart: Potential complications of heart surgery include but are not limited to bleeding, infection both of the surgical site and elsewhere, pulmonary embolism, stroke, and heart rhythm disturbances. Death is also a potential complication but fortunately is not common.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
CA
A 27-year-old member asked:
What should I avoid eating before and after an open heart surgery?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

Dr. Brian Mottanswered
Thoracic Surgery 29 years experience
Nothing after midnit: There are really no dietary restrictions before heart surgery really. After you will have to follow a low salt low fat diet with limited fluid intake.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Why would seroma develop after open heart surgery?
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in

Dr. Louis Grenzeranswered
Cardiology 55 years experience
Usually does not: A seroma is a collection of clear fluid that can develop after surgery but is most commonly seen following breast surgery and some types of plastic surgery. Serum leaks into tissue causing swelling. It is different from a hematoma which is blood and contains red blood cells. I can't recall seeing this as a significant complication of open heart surgery except when fluid accumulates in the legs.
6.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
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Last updated Jan 19, 2014
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