Too heavy for ablation

[Rhiannonimity1]

I have been told I cannot have an ablation until I’m under 14 stone in weight. I’m 20 now having dropped from 22 stone, which is when I was told this. I was told an ablation is unlikely to work on larger people. Does anyone have any similar experience please

[BobD Volunteer]

Not personally but trails in Australia have shown that reducing obesity and getting down to a BMI of less than 25 often renders ablation unecessary. They used a special crash diet of 800 cals a day for three months. I believe it was called the LEGACY trial if you want to google it.

[Hidden]

Congratulations on weight loss ...Have you calculated your BMI I think that may be the deciding factor..

[Rhiannonimity1 in reply to Hidden]

My bro is mid 40s

[Rhiannonimity1 in reply to Rhiannonimity1]

Sorry my bmi is mid forties

[Hidden in reply to Rhiannonimity1]

I guess they will not take the risk of putting your heart to additional risk Rhiannon.

[Kaz747]

Here’s an interesting article about BMI and ablation. It’s interesting to see the overweight category (25-30) had similar results to normal BMI (less than 25).

medpagetoday.com/cardiology...

[Rhiannonimity1 in reply to Kaz747]

Thank you for taking the time to send this. It is very informative.

[JohnEagel]

Hello Rhi...

I did have my RF ablation 2 years ago and then my weight

was around 18 stone or 114 kg. There was no issue or concern from the EP. However, we did agree that after the ablation I have to start weight reduction..... I am still on it. And after 2 years I still have some odd PACs or PVCs but no AFIB anymore.

Cheers

H

[Barb1]

I have had 4 ablations and no one except me has ever commented on my weight and my BMI is about 34. I put on weight when in AF and lose it when in SR, so it's a no brainer.

[Pennie1958 in reply to Barb1]

Same as that x

[Ianc2]

Carneuny (John) has just put up a link to the BANT website on another post. I have just had a quick look this site BANT.org. It is a nutritional site and has some useful information. One particular report caught my eye regarding a Keto based diet for dealing with obesity.

If you have been diagnosed with diabetes 2 I assume your doctor will have explained that this disease is much more dangerous than AFIB, and can have much more damaging effects. An acquaintance of mine had this diagnosis along with an explanation of how soon his eyesight would fail and the probability that he would lose the use of his legs, and possibly have to have them amputated. The doctor calmly and carefully put the fear of god into him.

With the supervision of his doctor he went onto an 800 calorie a day diet and transformed his health, his life and his future. His wife chucked out a lot of her cookbooks and removed a lot of sugar and junk food from the family diet, Cheeseburgers at 900 calories each vanished and a lot of fresh food came in. His excess weight steadily vanished.

He no longer has diabetes and can enjoy life again. You have lost 2 stones already - a good start . Stay with it and look forward to a new life.

[Rhiannonimity1]

Thank you so much. I don’t have diabetes and as a result get no weight loss help from the nhs. I’ve been keto for 3-4 years and working with a nutritionist, but the weight is stubborn. Best guess is that the beta blockers I’m on for AF are holding me back a little. Worse thing is my cardiologist gets quite cross because I’m not losing weight.

[Kaz747 in reply to Rhiannonimity1]

Sometimes there are other things at play apart from diet and exercise - hormones, quality of sleep, breathing, stress, meditations. A holistic approach is needed. Perhaps research some other factors. I recommend listening to the podcast “Feel Better, Live More” by Dr Rangan Chattergee or check out his books.

[Mugster]

I had an ablation last May at 19st , no problems. I sympathise difficult to exercise when you have no energy and for me eating was a comfort. Now following a knee replacement and getting to go on lots of walks,have lost 10 lb in 6 weeks.

I would push back if I were you or ask for a second opinion

[Hidden]

Keep plugging away and you may not need it !

Best of luck !

[Rhiannonimity1]

Thankyou to everyone for such sensitive and encouraging replies. X