Pre op questions

[Builderpete]

Hi

I’m new on here and and after having two previous ops cancelled I’ve got another date for January 23rd just wondered if there’s anything I should know from fellow af patients

Many thanks

Peter

[pirnough6]

The op doesn't hurt. You have a large number of staff looking after you and making sure you are OK. Don't be too eager to get up after the op just take your time. After the op you quickly resume a fairly normal life and hopefully it will be successful. All the very best

[Builderpete in reply to pirnough6]

That’s good to know, many thanks

[Hidden]

Hi Peter. Welcome to the forum

What sort of operation are you having?

Is it an ablation for atrial fibrillation? Which anticoagulant are you taking? What other meds? General anaesthetic ? Presumably NHS with the cancellations?

Are you wanting information about during and after the op as well? Have you been sent an advice sheet. How old are you?

There are loads of very well informed people here who want to help, but you will always get more and better answers if you give more information about your medical history.

[Builderpete in reply to Hidden]

Hi

I’m 49 and a builder I’m on warfarin flecanide and Tildiem, cancellations were due to me having to mini strokes but my inr seems to of levelled out now thankfully. I have received the fact sheet and was just wondering what to suspect as in op itself and recovery, nice to hear from someone that’s had an ablation.

[Hidden]

If you are having an ablation under sedation, you may have some discomfort in your chest when the EP does the burns in your heart. You must indicate if you need more pain relief . Depending on timing, transport and how the procedure went, you may be allowed home in the evening.

If you have a general anaesthetic you will have a sore throat afterwards, you may feel a little woozy and nauseated. You will stay overnight.

Symptoms after return home vary. Heartburn is not unusual. The most important thing is to take it very quietly for the first week even if you feel well, and then do a little more each day. The inside of the heart has been burned and needs time to heal. People who go back to work too soon, can have problems and be set right back.

Being a builder you may need a month before resuming light work.

You will certainly get more advice here now, perhaps especially from those who had sedation, I had a GA. After the ablation check in here for advice and you should not hesitate to contact the arrhythmia nurse on the EP's team if needs be.

Ask as many questions here as you like. Bottom line is that ablation is generally not too unpleasant for most people. You read alarming stuff about things that go wrong. It's important to remember that a complication occurring in 1 person in 1000, means 999 were ok.

[Hidden]

Recovery takes longer than you think, at least in my case it was 4 or 5 months before I got my fitness back.

Take it easy, listen to your body and plenty of rest

[Sam72-]

Hi Peter, I got put to sleep for my procedure last August. It depends on what type of ablation procedure your having as I was going in to have a cryoablation and they found 2 more things wrong so burnt and froze . I had a banging headache when I woke and throat was very sore . I had not so much chest pain in the front but more in my left side in my back . It also took a few days to eat and had reflux and sore tummy when food hit it so ate very small meals and soup . The tummy thing lasted for weeks and it eventually went away . But definitely take it easy for as long as you possibly can . I felt ok some days then would have a lot of ectopic beats and no my body is telling me to slow down . 4 months on now and I still get wobbly and have unusual sensations in my heart , all totally normal by the way as I was reassured by my EP on the 22nd . But I agree with mikee , it takes a long time for you to get back to normal and I would take as long off work as possible. Some people bounce back with no problems but I think they are very lucky indeed, you also have the long road of coming off your medications afterwards. I see that most good hospitals and EPs won’t discharge you for 12 months! So I would say that’s how long it takes before your all clear after your procedure. So basically it’s a good 12 months recovery time. As bob says rest rest and more rest in the first few weeks is so important. As my EP told me last week I am in no means out the woods just yet . I think that is so important to no that the 3 month blanking period is just a time limit they give to see how we all react to the recovery time. Everyone is different so just try be positive and look after your self.

Good luck and best wishes

Sam ❤️

[Builderpete in reply to Sam72-]

Wow drs tell you none of this do they, thanks for all the advice much appreciated

[Sam72- in reply to Builderpete]

Pete I had my first attack last November 2016 , my ablation was August 2017 . But no they don’t tell you because you may not have any of these things happen to you , but don’t be worried if they do happen hun coz it’s completely normal 👍🏼

[Builderpete in reply to Sam72-]

Thanks Sam

[Sam72- in reply to Builderpete]

Any time you want to chat inbox me 👍🏼 I got so much help off here and continue to ❤️

[Builderpete in reply to Sam72-]

Will do Sam thank you

[Sam72- in reply to Builderpete]

Your welcome Pete and merry Christmas 🎄 🎁😊

[Builderpete in reply to Sam72-]

Merry Christmas Sam 🎄🎄

[Builderpete in reply to Builderpete]

Hi Sam, how are you ?

Just thought I would let you know my op was cancelled again due to my inr reading being to low. Got to carry on with warfarin/flecanide/tildium and hope my blood thins out and stays that way for a while, then I can get op rebooked.

[Sam72-]

O and may I add to that stay hydrated. Water water and more water is essential. I see more ectopic beats if I am not hydrated enough. Bobs advice on this was spot on !!

[MtLSteven]

Have the medics considered Vascular Studies to determine if you have obstructed arteries as a possible source of the TIAs? You are young (and employed ) to have these warning signs.