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An aorto-bifemoral bypass is an operation in which grafts (artificial tubes) are sutured into place to bypass an area of the aorta and/or the iliac artery which is narrowed or blocked.

Reasons for Procedure:
To have good blood flow to the lower part of the body, there must be good blood flow through the aorta, the iliac arteries, and the femoral arteries.

Atherosclerosis is a disease in which sticky patches (plaques) of calcium, fibrous tissue, and cholesterol build up along the walls of blood vessels. These plaques block the normal flow of blood within affected blood vessels. When the blood flow is decreased, the tissues on the other side of the blockage do not receive adequate oxygen. This can result in the following:
-Pain, which increases the longer you walk or exercise
-Cold feet/legs
-Scaly, dry, reddened, itchy, or brown skin of the legs/feet
-Non-healing and/or infected sores (ulcers) in the skin of your legs or feet
-Gangrene
-Amputation of gangrenous limbs
-Nerve damage

Description of the Procedure:
After you are well-anesthetized, a large incision will be made in your abdomen. The blood vessels that need to be operated on lie deep in many of your internal organs, so these organs will need to be carefully moved out of the way.

Blood flow through the vessels that are going to be operated on will be briefly stopped with clamps on either side of the area of blockage. A graft made of artificial material will be sewn into place on either the iliac artery or the femoral artery, in an area clear of obstructive plaque. The other end of the graft will be attached to the aorta just above the area where the blockage begins.

The clamps that were placed on the blood vessels being operated on will be removed. The surgeon will observe briefly to ensure that there is good blood flow through the new graft. Your internal organs will be repositioned properly. The abdominal muscle will be pulled together and stitched closed. The skin incision will be closed with either sutures or staples.

Possible Complications:
- Infection of the incision site or the graft itself
- Obstruction of the new graft by blood clots
- Bleeding
- Complications from anaesthesia
- Pneumonia
- Scarring
- Heart attack
- Stroke

Outcome:
You can expect to resume your normal activities within about six weeks of surgery. There is expected to be a dramatic improvement in your overall ability to walk or exercise compared to your preoperative state. You should follow your doctor’s directions regarding when you can begin to drive, exercise, lift things, and otherwise exert yourself.

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Want a little more detail? Check out http://healthlibrary.epnet.com/

And that pretty much sums up mom’s surgery.

I will write a little more about my week there and what’s happening now (she needs to get part of the surgery re-done tomorrow, due to infection) and all that. But for now, I just need rest; It’s been a very busy and stressful few weeks (months).

PS: Thanks to everyone for your prayers and wishes and all sorts. They mean a lot to me and to my mom. Much Love & Light to you all.