How would I go about getting a second opinion for an ablation.
Has anyone had one done in Perth Western Australia. I don't mind flying to Sydney for better treatment. Is there a way to find someone who is knowledgable and very experienced that can alleviate my fears about the procedure?
How do I phrase a question to the surgeon about where his qualifications are from and how good is he. I don't want to insult someone about to operate on my heart. He didn't seem to confident but kept saying I was the perfect candidate.
When I asked about taurine, magnesium and any other supplementation that might relieve or restore the arrhythmia he had to google taurine because he has never heard of it.
when I questioned him about who is on standby in case something wrong happens like it goes straight through or burns me he dodged the question.
And he didn't mention any kind of mapping like I've been reading, just that he will burn all the tubes all around.
The afib is controlling my life I don't drink I don't smoke I don't go out anymore. I'm scared of eating food. My life's fallen apart because of it and medications I've been on make me worse thang an the afib. My wife cries because I'm so depressed and it's destroying our marriage we've been together happily 10 years and this is tearing us apart.
Is there a list of competent surgeons? Or perhaps a 'current best practice' there's too much information on the subject and I'm in way over my head. Please can anyone help? Thank you in advance so much.
Written by
shorion
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
I did have a sort of list for Australia, mostly in Qld and W.A which I got from the Arrhythmia Alliance Organization located in Qld it took a while to obtain this information, as none was in the offing, however it did not help me much anyway this was a 2nd opinion sought in Sydney NSW. My local cardiologist in NSW recommended him. Apparently it is unwise for me to proceed with an ablation due to my age yet my health is good. Its a bummer of a condition at any age, apart from the amount of information you refer to not all medics are really up to date in Australia although they seem to have a fairly good track record for ablations. I do believe that on reading the list W.A. was the most conversant ie: more numerous EPs there than in any other state who have performed ablations, you will have to decide which ablation you want, either the Freeze or the Radiation method. If you contact the Arrhythmia Alliance Organization in Qld they have a list for Qld and WA I only have a few picked for NSW.
John Hayes is great. He's done a number of procedures on your's truly but he's based at St Andrews in Brisbane. If they're telling you you're a perfect candidate, that's a good start. That's the same as I was, paroxysmal LONE a-Fib. Don't be worried about the procedure mate, just do it!
Sharion, I saw Professor Ross at Westmead Cardiology Sydney who is the leading Cardiology / Electro Physician (EP) I live in country NSW you have to be referred by your Cardiologist, this is to stop time wasting with maybe's. Prof Ross was awesome and knows everything that is needed to be known about the procedure. You have an MRI of the heart the afternoon before the procedure to map your rate and to know where to do the ablation. You then have the procedure the next day. There are several doctors on standby just in case things go wrong. I am due to have mine in October, by choice after I travel overseas. Have the ablation sooner rather then later because your chances of correcting the problem early are better then leaving it too long. Hope this helps
Just or say that even the best EPs in UK rarely know anything about the supplement route, which helps, but are not a cure. I had 2 ablations, first didn't work but second did and four months down the line had absolutely no AF. Procedure is less than a tooth extraction. You need to have confidence in your surgeon and you are asking all the right questions but don't expect them to be nutritionists as well.
Please don't allow this to take over your life, get some phycological help - CBT for depression and fear thoughts and go for some couples counselling to help you to get this into proportion regarding you relationship, your fear thoughts are the condition you really need to address. Very best wishes for the UK
ablation procedure last wednesday in Perth and if you are in the early stages it is pretty much routine I had been permanent for 15 years so I may not stay in sinus after the one procedure but if you get referred to The Ablation Clinic in Stirling Hwy Claremont I am sure you will find the very competent specialist you seek,dont waste your money travelling anywhere else.
Hi Shorion, Parkie is right I went to the same EP that he did, about 18 months ago and had successful PVI first up. Has been absolutely perfect since. Th EP there has done over 3000 ablations and is the best. He does RF not Cryo.make an appointment and put your mind at rest. Cheers
I was curious as to the numbers. I had asked mine and he didn't mention it when I saw him and asked. I had to email and be quite frank about it and he let me know he hasn't done many...
I've booked an appointment to get another referral to the clinic thanks again!
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Ablation question?
Tuesday’s the big day! Ablation #2! 
Thoughts on alcohol post ablation
Very confused about ablation
HEART ABLATION...SUCCESS OR FAILURE
