What is Heart Bypass Surgery (CABG)?

Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting, or CABG (pronounced ‘cabbage’), is a surgical procedure that creates a new route for blood to flow around blocked or narrowed coronary arteries. The surgeon uses a healthy blood vessel – typically taken from the leg (saphenous vein), chest wall (internal mammary artery), or arm (radial artery) – to bypass the blockage.

The result: your heart muscle receives the oxygen-rich blood it was starving for.

When Is Bypass Surgery Necessary?

Not every blocked artery requires surgery. But your cardiologist or cardiac surgeon may recommend CABG when:

• Multiple coronary arteries are significantly blocked (triple vessel disease)
• The left main coronary artery – the most critical vessel – is diseased
• Stents (angioplasty) have failed or aren’t suitable for your anatomy
• You have diabetes combined with multi-vessel disease
• Heart function (ejection fraction) is compromised and needs immediate revascularisation

Why Patients from Kalyan & Bhiwandi Are Choosing Thane

Thane has emerged as a significant cardiac care hub in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). Kims Hospital on the Eastern Express Highway offers direct connectivity from Kalyan, Dombivli, Bhiwandi, and Ulhasnagar – often a shorter and more accessible route than navigating to South Mumbai.

With specialists like Dr. Saumya Sekhar Jenasamant – trained in Heart & Lung Transplantation and performing the full spectrum of CVTS procedures – patients no longer need to travel to Navi Mumbai or the city for world-class cardiac surgical care.

The Bypass Surgery Process, Step by Step

Pre-Surgery Evaluation

Before the operation, you’ll undergo a detailed workup including coronary angiography, echocardiography, chest X-ray, blood tests, and a review of existing medications. For patients with diabetes – common in the Bhiwandi industrial belt due to sedentary occupations – blood sugar management before surgery is critical.

The Surgery Itself

CABG is typically performed under general anaesthesia and takes 3–6 hours depending on the number of vessels being bypassed. Most procedures use the heart-lung bypass machine (on-pump), though off-pump techniques are also available for select patients – a more advanced option that reduces risks in certain cases.

Recovery Timeline

What Changes After Bypass Surgery?

Bypass surgery isn’t a cure for heart disease – it’s a powerful reset. Patients who maintain lifestyle changes see dramatically better long-term outcomes:

• Low-sodium, low-fat diet – especially important given Thane’s high-sodium street food culture
• Regular walking and graded cardiac rehabilitation
• Strict medication compliance (blood thinners, statins, BP drugs)
• Smoking cessation – especially relevant for Bhiwandi’s textile & warehouse workforce
• Regular cardiology follow-ups and surgical reviews

Risks, and How They’re Minimised

Like all major surgeries, CABG carries risks – bleeding, infection, stroke, and in rare cases, heart attack or kidney injury. In the hands of an experienced CVTS surgeon, modern techniques and intensive post-operative monitoring significantly reduce complication rates.

A Note for Kalyan & Bhiwandi Patients: Don’t Delay

One of the most dangerous patterns seen in Thane district’s satellite towns is delayed presentation. Patients in Kalyan, Bhiwandi, and Ulhasnagar often manage symptoms for weeks or months before seeking specialist care – attributing chest pain to acidity or fatigue to overwork.