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Aortoiliac and Aortofemoral Bypass Graft Surgery Discharge Instructions


About this topic


The iliac and femoral arteries are large blood vessels. They supply blood and oxygen from the heart to the legs. Sometimes, these arteries become narrow or blocked. If this happens, you will not get good blood flow to your legs. The block is caused by a buildup of a sticky material called plaque. The plaque can harden and make the blood vessel narrow. This may cause pain and other problems in your legs. Your legs may also feel cold or change colors. You may have wounds on your legs that will not heal. ‚  
Aortoiliac and aortofemoral bypass graft surgery may be needed. This is done to treat and repair the blocked arteries. In a bypass, artificial tubes, or grafts, are placed near the part of the blood vessel that is blocked or narrow. The graft makes a path so that the blood can move around the blocked vessel. ‚  


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What care is needed at home?


  • Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
  • Monitor and control your blood pressure and cholesterol level. Follow your treatment plan for these conditions.
  • Change your position every 2 hours or so. Get up and walk around for a few minutes to keep blood flow to your legs going.
  • Do not twist, bend, or strain your belly for 4 to 6 weeks after the surgery.
  • Wear compression stockings as directed. This will help improve blood flow.
  • Raise your leg above the level of your heart when you are resting. Prop your leg on pillows to help with swelling.
  • Talk to your doctor about how to care for your cut site. Ask your doctor about:
    • When you should change your bandages
    • When you may take a bath or shower
    • If you need to be careful with lifting things over 10 pounds
    • When you may go back to your normal activities like work, driving, or sex
  • Be sure to wash your hands before and after touching your wound or dressing.

What follow-up care is needed?


  • Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
  • If you have stitches or staples, you will need to have them taken out. Your doctor will often want to do this in 1 to 2 weeks. Your doctor may need to leave them in longer.

What drugs may be needed?


The doctor may order drugs to: ‚  
  • Help with pain
  • Prevent infection
  • Soften stools
  • Prevent blood clots

Will physical activity be limited?


Your physical activity will be limited for about 6 weeks after the procedure. Talk with your doctor about when you can go back to your normal activities. ‚  

What problems could happen?


  • Infection
  • Bleeding
  • Heart attack or stroke
  • Injury to nearby organs
  • Bowel blockage
  • Blood clots
  • Graft rejection
  • Lesser movements of the leg
  • Loss of leg
  • Poor wound healing
  • Problems with sex

When do I need to call the doctor?


Activate the emergency medical system right away if you have signs of a heart attack or stroke. Call 911 in the United States or Canada. The sooner treatment begins, the better your chances for recovery. Call for emergency help right away if you have: ‚  
  • Signs of heart attack:
    • Chest pain
    • Trouble breathing
    • Fast heartbeat
    • Feeling dizzy
  • Signs of stroke:
    • Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
    • Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
    • Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
    • Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
    • Sudden severe headache with no known cause

Call your doctor if you have: ‚  
  • Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum, pain with passing urine, or pain.
  • Signs of wound infection. These include swelling, redness, warmth around the wound; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge; foul smell coming from the cut site; cut site opens up.
  • Very bad belly pain or pain in your legs
  • Not able to pass gas or you have a very upset stomach
  • Loss of feeling in one or both legs or leg becomes cold
  • Fluid is leaking from the cut site
  • Coughing up blood
  • Pain that does not go away with drugs
  • More swelling in the legs or feet

Teach Back: Helping You Understand


The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚  
  • I can tell you about my procedure.
  • I can tell you how to care for my cut site.
  • I can tell you what I will do if I have signs of a heart attack or stroke.
  • I can tell you what I will do if I have loss of feeling in one or both legs or my leg becomes cold.

Where can I learn more?


Circulation Foundation ‚  
http://www.circulationfoundation.org.uk/help-advice/peripheral-arterial-disease/femoropopliteal-femorodistal-bypass/ ‚  
Society for Vascular Surgery ‚  
http://www.vascularweb.org/vascularhealth/Pages/surgical-bypass.aspx ‚  

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer


This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚  

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