David Crane <dcrane@...> wrote:

I just had a triple bypass three weeks ago and actually started free
buzzing while still in the hospital. After I got home, I used a buzz pipe
(made by Chuck Alexander of the Brass Lab)on the mouthpiece while walking
around the house. I found out that one of my horns does weight under 5#s,
so now I am playing everyday. Up to over four octaves already (not full
blast!) and notice improvements every day. I would suggest taking it easy
at first--get a piece of plastic tubing from the hardware store (foot
would do)that your mouthpiece fits in and start buzzing.

This strikes me as particularly insane. I've never had my chest
cracked, but I know people (some younger than I) who have.

Blowing on any wind (except perhaps flute or recorder) raises pulmonary
pressure and also temporarily raises blood pressure. (Look at the veins
in an oboist's neck while he plays.) What I understand is that after
bypass surgery recovery is necessary for the replumbing of the heart
muscles, and also for the massive insult to the chest all, sternum, and
ribs. (I believe the latter is the source of the restrictions against
lifting nontrivial weights.)

Did you discuss buzzing or playing with your surgeon? _In_ _detail_?

The body takes time to heal. The older you are, the longer it takes.
Obey the properly conservative recommendations of your surgeon which are
intended to allow healing without risking injury to the delicate healing
tissues that have been compromised by this extreme surgery. If the
pressures of playing tear the healing tissues in your chest wall, if
you're lucky you'll be back in surgery and have to start over the
recovery process, which will cost you (or your insurer) a lot more than
the cost of that new custom triple you've been coveting.

If you blow out one of the new artery bypasses, you (or your insurer)
probably won't have that opportunity.

Take care. This isn't something to mess with. You can get your chops
back over the many months and years the surgery will grant you if
successful.