Hi I'm interested to hear from those of you who have had an ablation and are willing to share:
how long before you returned to work after the procedure?
What wS the worst thing about having it done? What was the best?
Did it hurt?
Thank you - just thinking about it...
Did it hurt? Only a little bit the first day or so. Ache in chest etc and a bit uncomfortable in groin where entry wound. Take at least two weeks off work. longer if you need to lift anything. Try to take it easy for as long as possible as it seems that a long slow recovery lasts longer than going flat out too soon. Do expect some odd rhythms and apparent set backs in the first three months as it takes three to six months for the scar tissue to form blocking the rogue impulses. Above all listen to your body. We are all different and have different levels of discomfort/pain acceptance as well as stress and tiredness so there really is no one size fits all answer. There are some people who say they went back to work in four days. Frankly I thought I would be back to normal next day and fought through the symptoms, recovery from GA etc and really messed things up for myself as I thought I was being a wimp. Needed a repeat which I treated much more gently the next year.
Hi Julie,
I had a Cryoablation back in July under sedation. It wasn't like a walk in the park, but if I felt uncomfortable they upped the dose and I drifted off in to la la land. So, did it hurt, yes, a bit but not unbearable. The worst thing was staying in bed for 8 hours after the procedure, but I had followed the advice of others here and also, I downloaded loads of stuff on to my iPad (using earphones of course).
The best was being told that my pulmonary veins had been successfully ablated. As for work, I'm retired so it was not an issue, but you will I'm sure, be advised before you leave as it depends on the kind of work you do. It is important to do nothing in the first week, and not much more the second and no heavy lifting......you will find loads of posts from people, including me, who have given detailed accounts of their procedure......best of luck, and let us know how you get on.
I purposely did not mention the shaving bit!!!......John
I was self-employed so went back 10 days post ablation, but only part time 3-4 hours/day and sedentary.
Worst thing - not being able to drive for 7 days after - whilst groin wound healed. I had sedation, not GA.
Best thing - felt so much better almost immediately, unfortunately, like, Bob, because I did, I did too much too soon and ruined everything so as to have another 4 months later so do be warned - go slow, very, very slow, even if you feel well afterwards.
Absolutely no pain whatsoever, brilliant anaethetist, but I did jump once or twice on the table when a nerve was touched. I found the whole thing completely fascinating as I dozed in and out of consciousness. Shout if you do feel anything.
It is not like an operation, there is no huge scar or stiches or the like but your heart will need time to heal and there may be the odd bump or two and expect a higher than normal pulse rate which will take some time to settle down 6-9 months even.
I've had two, one under sedation, one GA, and won't repeat things because my experience was the same as others. My ablation worked 100% and immediately.
Have a good one 🙂
Koll
It sounds less scary now I've read those replies. Thank you! I thinkYou have to be ready to go for it too. I don't like to ever sit still and I have a hectic job so this means I will be grounded!! Is it true if you do too much afterwards that it prevents the procedure from being effective? I thought it was the scarring that made it effective? I want to think I won't be grounded for too long!! Hidden CDreamer Hidden BobD
Difficult to be specific Julie because there are so many variables, but I would have thought it was better to reign yourself in for a while rather than take the risk of wrecking the procedure. Your EP and his team are better placed to know how long should stay off work, but in the end, it has to be your decision......John
All I can tell you is that I tried to spring. clean the house 2 days after returning - not a good idea!
My experience was that it raised my heart rate, triggering the AF. Scarring takes 6-12 weeks, what is termed the blanking period, this is when you are most susceptible and once the AF take some hold again you will have undone all the good work of the ablation.
Hence the warnings to take very, very good care. Slowly, slowly increase your activitiy levels and do it try to 'push through' fatigue, that is your warning sign, stop there and then and go rest.
Please do as I say, not as I did!
An excellent warning thank you!
Hello
I have had one, in April. Took advise from Bob and others to take it slowly even if you have no AF and feeling better in yourself. I am a teacher and ended up taking a whole term off! This actually suited work as once you have been off 2 weeks, which you really really need, funding comes in from a central source so they rather I stayed off and came back when fully recovered. Yes, I was very lucky, but I did feel strangely fragile and rather delicate for quite a few months after the, remember, "invasive" procedure.
The ablation procedure, for me, was really ok. I was sedated, woke a few times, but just tell them if you are in pain, or uncomfortable, they just top the jungle juice up a bit! I was floating the day away afterwards ,so lying still was easy for me. I was still home that night and tucked up in my own bed which was lovely. The team around the EP when you are in hospital, is fantastic, so kind, attentive and professional. It was all very fascinating and amazing that we live in such a time of tremendous advancement in The ❤️ And it's funny ways!
It was the best, positive move I have made this year, it has improved the quality of my life 100% and although the thought of another would not excite me, I feel I have taken the right path. For now, I am no heart drugs at all and walking briskly again and enjoying food and life in general so, so much more. There are even days when I don't even think about the way my heart is beating.... Bliss!
Good luck with making your decision .
Best wishes
Sarah
Thank you for your reply. It sounds easier the other side I hear all the positives and I need to be brave!
I had one for atrial flutter and one for avnrt, both were painless and both helped me but now I want another one so I can go back to work. Can not work right now, have to many symptoms. It took me 4 days to really have my normal daily routine. Ablations need to be thought of as little treatmentsover time,not complete cures in most cases.
Toblessed,
Debbie
I was off work for a week after my ablation. Being self-employed and working on a project, I couldn't take any longer. It wasn't a problem even though my job is quite stressful. I had sedation which I believe helped recovery. I had some bad events for a few days after the ablation but those gradually went away and I was AF free after about a month or so and have been ever since. Worst bit? The 12 hours after the ablation when I had very bad back pain and couldn't get comfortable.
Thanks it's good sedation helped. I've not had a general before!
i had cat ablation in March this year.... ive taken it really slow and now in November and only just my resting heart rate has gone down in its 70s which im proud of from high 80s to high 90s...buy a fitbit watch there amazing to keep and eye on heart rate n teaches u to rest....its a slow process for some and i was deffo one of them people....dont listen to people who say "you be ok in 6 weeks" i was so panicky when my nurses would tell me this, i was having panic attacks,chest pain, pulpatations....no one listened..just kept saying you be ok....listen to your own body....I had my first holiday to Majorca 5 weeks ago and i had no problem with the flight...two pulpatations but that was panic from taking off...had a great holiday xx
take care of number one xx
listen to your body xx
Sharryn
Thanks Sharryn. I think from what I've read it is a longer recovery time to what hospital suggest. I'm also concerned I have it then overdo it and regret overdoing it. Not sure how I could slow in my work.
Julie... we all suggest taking time out as our health is more important than anything in life....i ran a very busy catering company dealing in Weddings, Funerals and corporate events,, It was that or my health!!!
I chose my health over anything... Now im getting back my life back and very grateful, I'm gad i made that decision.. Booked another holiday for June next year for a treat for been a good girl lol xx You wont regret it!!
Oh and im MSG free now so i can eat all McDonald's and chinese i like,, whooppppp lol.. It sucked been on MSG free diet for 16months grrrrr
HI You have had a number of helpful replies, so don't want to duplicate too much, but everyone is right to say that you shouldn't try to rush the recovery. I think the temptation to do too much is driven by the fact that in comparison with other surgical operations the docs don't open up your chest and you often leave hospital the same day or the next morning. A few days later it would be hard to know that you had any procedure at all, but the heart is very disgruntled by being burnt or frozen, and boy does it let you know it. Do be prepared to feel worse than you did before the ablation, but not for very long. Do expect bouts of AF, or ectopics, and if you are unlucky, maybe a side effect or two like digestive problems ( which I had ). But please don't be put off! I am only saying this to give you the worst picture. I have no regrets about my ablation, and compared to how I was before having it, I am much much better. For years, I was unsure whether I wanted to have the procedure, even when the doctors asked me seriously to consider it. Now, having had one, I may have to have a further ablation to "tidy things up", but would not hesitate if and when the time comes. Good luck!
Bob56 your bravery paid off. I think what you said about docs not opening up your chest is so true. I will have to be creative about slowing down I think!
I had one in 2014. It was not painful at all..i had sedation..lasted about 5 hours but seemed much quicker. The lying flat for 4 hours after was a bit annoying. Mine didn't work unfortunately but my EP came to see me on the ward that night and told me he did not think it had been successful. I told work I would be off for a week but was off for 3 months but that was not to do with thr ablation but other complications with my heart and medication I was changed to. The bruising on the groin was impressive but really the procedure itself was ok and not half as bad as I had imagined. Best wishes for your ablation and a good recovery
xxx
Since I had general anesthesia, it did not hurt at all. My throat was the worst for about two days, but I did warm sips of broth or warm milk with honey. The heart area had a mild ache like breathing outside in the cold, but that wasn't constant. The first 6 days were great, but I have had some PVCs and brief Afib the second week. I would recommend at least 2 weeks off. However, I was ready to get back in my routine. Keeps my mind off the odd flutter here and there. I do rest when I get home.
It varies on patient and whether there are complications or not such as haematoma but it's always longer than they say. It's quite an assault on ones heart however well it's done. For me it was four weeks but I had an anaesthetic which triggered pleurisy. Most of my contacts say two weeks is good. Maybe you could combine some recovery time with some holiday if taking extended sick leave is a problem as you should be fit enough to enjoy leisure though not a good idea to fly.
It's all been said above. I've had two and fortunately both have been pain free after, just the tenderness from bruised area and the itching from the regrowth! Second time I woke and also found it interesting and asked the EP if 'he was in yet!' I felt 4 burns which weren't really painful more unexpected, did wince slightly though. They must have turned up the tap cause went off again until the end. Had a week doing not a lot and started slow walking around the block after 10days. The team will make you feel at ease, they all know what they are doing, just a another day for them. Best wishes.
Dear all, I've been reading the replies to Julie with great interest (best of luck to you, Julie, I'm sure all will be just fine) but I was wondering if the advice regarding recuperation periods apply to 'radio-frequency ablation' for suspected focal atrial tachycardia (FAT)?
I'm due in for the prccedure on 15th December and (I'm a barrister) have a hearing on the 21st and then a three week case from 9th January, and obviously both are likely to be fairly stressful! At the moment the (very experienced) EP is intending to try and identify the nature of the problem by 'provoking' the problem - FAT or AF or whatever it turns out to be, and if it's the former he will look to radio frequency ablate, but if the latter will probably insert a 'reveal' recorder and postpone the AF ablation to a later date. So, if it's simply the FAT RF ablation what will the approximate recovery time be do you think, compared to the AF ablation, or is there basically no difference?
Sorry for the long post; all help very gratefully received. Best to all.
Seankevan hi thanks for the best wishes. I wonder if it's worth posting your question again as a new post to get more replies - as my post is not a new one now so I'm unsure if it will be as closely followed as a new one would? I have no idea of the answer but perhaphs BobD may though may recommend a new post?
Hi Julie - great minds think alike! In fact I did post this separately as a new post, and good old Bob replied very swiftly! Hope all is well with you? Best, S
Post ablation recovery
Ablation recovery 
