Bypass Surgery

[Pdeep]

Hello,
I am a B-757 Captain. Three and half months ago I was diagonised with Coronary Artery Disease and I underwent a bypass surgery three months back. How soon can I get back to flying duties.
Can anyone update me with the latest regulations worldwide?
Thanks.

[mutt]

Based on the FAA system and couple of guys around here, the minimum appears to be 12 months.

You might also be interested in checking out www.jaa.nl for JAR-FCL3

Good Luck

Mutt

[YSSY]

In Australia it is at least 6 months post bypass (CAGS) surgery before recertification would be considered(http://www.casa.gov.au/manuals/regulate/dame/080r0202.pdf)

Jon

[zorin]

http://www.jaa.nl/licensing/manual_civil_aviation_2006.html
Most of what you want is on the CAA website ...JAA medical
After six months you will need to do a Stress ECG , Echocardiogram,24 hr heart monitor,angiogram,check your cholesterol is controlled. then , if succesful one year coronary review with AME.
They need to agree that you have a less than one percent chance of heart attack, and the grafts have healed and there is no ischemia (reduced blood flow)
Have courage, these days less than .01 pilots lose their licences for medical reasons.
Those of us who have been bypassed, stented,pacemakered, are at least a known problem , unlike the many over 60's who have yet to realise why crew food, smoking , excessive drinking and casual s3x are just so bad for you!
Good luck.
Zo

[slowto280]

Is there anyone who is willing to share their bypass story/history with me? I am faced with having bypass (aviator for 35 years...) due to 'unstentable' blockages. Looking for insight on CABG and getting back flying. If you have colleagues that are flying having undergone CABG in the past, please pass this request on to them..... who knows, they may be willing to talk about it. Thanks much. :ouch:

[slowto280]

Surely there must be someone willing to share their story. Did it solve your problem? Were you able to get your medical back? Would you do it again if you had the 'choice'? I am NOT writing a book, just wanting other peoples perspective on positives and negatives.:confused:

[kui2324]

Each patient will be completely different - so one person's situation may not match anothers.

The advice the medical folk will work on is treat the medical condition with the best form of treatment first. If it is compatible with flying afterwards then all the better. It is important you have the best treatment and not the second best just because it might allow you to fly in the future.

You really need to speak to the medical staff looking after you for their advice. As it sounds like your only option you might be better looking to speak to people who aren't necessarily pilots about the positives and negatives for the op itself. Your aviation authority's medical dept will have strict guidance on what rules/procedures/protocols they have in this situation - if you haven't already - call them to discuss it.

[slowto280]

Kui,

Thanks for your input, you appear to be in the medical field... I do certainly realize each and every case is different (in ways...), but I am just looking for some thoughts from aviators who have had the procedure done, as in pros and cons. I am not in the group (yet?) that has been brought into the ER with the need to crack open my chest. I continue to look into/for other options (some in the medical field believe they do exist) but am trying to become informed. Does, in fact, CABG prolong and improve life in cases where it is not 100% necessary to perform?

This thread is not proving to be a huge hit (thank goodness, I guess...), but another question here is: Has anyone had what doctors indicated as 'unstentable' blockages, opened? :ok:

Here's to getting more replies..........:D (couldn't find that beer mug icon they have on Y messenger.....)

[ITFC1]

Slightly different in my case.

I had a Pulmonary valve Replacement operation in December, and got my JAA Class one medical back in April.

Restricted to As or With Co-Pilot.

The FAA are still thinking about it.

Make sure you enquire as to what tests they need, i know with Valve repleacement there is a 5 month JAA and 6 month FAA restriction.

Good luck

[slowto280]

Thanks.

In most places of the world, there is at least a12 month wait after bypass. I know very little about your procedure and what it entails, but I would imagine with a valve replacement, your options were more limited than perhaps mine are (perhaps I am only kidding myself...).

I am glad you are back in the air and wish you all the best with a long and fruitful career.:ok:

[411A]

In most places of the world, there is at least a 12 month wait after bypass

Could be, however, I personally know of one pilot who had a single bypass, and regained his FAA medical in three months...yes, 90 days.
Then, the FAA had second thoughts, and wanted additional testing.
One month more, good to go.
4 months/120 days, total.
OKC appears to be rather well switched on, at least in this guys case.

PS:
This was especially important at the time, because...this fellow was a current and qualified L1011 Captain, and his services were urgently needed, pronto.

[slowto280]

I would be interested to hear what kind of surgery he had. They do have, nowadays, minimally invasive bypass surgery where they can go between and not through (as in split) the ribs, and one graft is much different than several, but 4 months sounds like a very short time frame to me. I always read your posts with interest, but I can't imagine his services being 'needed' had much to do with the FAA sign off. But then again, very happy that he was able to get back in the air and continue doing, I am sure, what he loves or loved.

Just curious, how's the used car business nowadays? Ahhh, never mind, not much of a salesman anyway............ :uhoh: