Ablation operation

[lynneangela]

I had a TIA in October 2012 and was told that there were signs of a lacuna stroke too. I have AF paroxysmal too. I am having my 1st ablation on Thursday 6th nov in Brighton. Mr Jack McCready is doing it and is very confident that it will be successful. Here's hoping. Lynne

[jennydog]

Good luck with it Lynne. Keep telling yourself, as I did, that Bob says it's not as bad as root canal dentistry. The worst bit is the probable coughing afterwards and the length of time it takes to get over the effects of the anaesthetic.

[meadfoot]

Best wishes for your procedure Lynn. All will be well I am sure.

Dee.

[BobD Volunteer]

Hi Lynne, To be pedantic, ablation is a procedure not an operation but is highly effective for many people. Do be aware (I'm sure you have had it all explained ) that it should be considered part of ongoing treatment and you may possibly need to have it repeated. Some people are better after one procedure but some (like me) need two or three before the little blighters are finally put to rest. Do also take plenty of time to recover. Many people talk of going back to work in a few days but from my experience at least two weeks is the norm and you will also possibly experience some odd symptoms for up to three months. This is all quite normal. Please don't (as I did ) think that you will be dancing down the ward like Ginger Rodgers or Fred Astaire the next morning. It often comes as quite a shock to find just how rotten we may feel for a few days or even weeks. Again this is quite normal.

I don't know if you will be having GA or sedation (I prefer GA even with the longer recovery time) but one thing which will be the same is having to lay flat for some hours after the procedure. With this in mind it is a good idea to prepare a bag with all your necessary bits and pieces such as lip salve, mobile phone, tissues etc which you can keep close by , also a sports drinking bottle is a good idea as you will feel thirsty and may have a sore throat and trying to drink out of a hospital "T pot" thing or through a straw is a real pain.

Good luck and don't worry about a thing, The thought is much worse than the event and I have yet to meet anybody who says they wish they hadn't gone the ablation route. Do check in soon and let us know how things are and remember many of us have been there. some of us several times.

Bob

[Hidden]

Good luck Lynne you,ll be fine,try not to worry it,s over before you know it.

[Hidden]

Hi Lynne! Just wishing you all the best for Thurs. Dr McCready performed all 3 of my ablations, the first when he was at The Heart hospital in zLondon and the last two at The Royal Sussex. He is very experienced and highly regarded. Are you living in Brighton? Sandra

[lynneangela in reply to Hidden]

I'm near litthampton. And im having heavy sedation and under a local and not a GA. Woke up with a sore throat and cough yesterday, so I hope they will still do it. I feel fine apart from that.

[Hidden in reply to lynneangela]

You are not far from me then , Durrington. I had my first two under sedation and the last one GA. You will recover much quicker under sedation so don't worry about that. You will be well looked after in Brighton and it will all be over before you know it.All the best and let us know how you get on. Sandra

[jeanjeannie50]

Best wishes for a successful ablation tomorrow. Will be thinking of you and waiting to hear how it all went.

Jean

[shirlygirly]

Best wishes for a successful ablation and hope you come out of it as well

as I have, with a heart performing normally. Bobs right if you have GA the

worst thing is the sore throat and cough. Take some tissues I coughed up

stuff though not nasty needed to be got rid of. Keep calm its fine and I

have found the nursing staff to be extremely friendly and caring.

Shirley.