When it's time for your beating heart bypass surgery, the healthcare team will move you to the operating table. The operating room may feel a little cold.

 

Once you are on the table, a blood pressure cuff will be put on your arm. Because the operating table isn't very wide, a belt will be placed around you for safety reasons. You will also have a pulse oximeter taped to your finger. This device checks how much oxygen is in your blood.

 

While you are lying on the table, you may see heart monitors, anesthesia equipment, tables of sterile instruments, and other pieces of equipment. During this time you may also hear many noises, such as loud high-pitched and low-pitched beeps. These are all normal sounds.

 

Once you are ready, you will be given anesthesia. After that has taken effect, the surgery (also called off-pump bypass surgery) will begin.