All went well although they estimated it would only take 2 to 4 hours, as they knew where to ablate when it’s the pulmonary veins causing the problem in paradoxical AF. However, it took 5! It was a bit daunting walking into theatre where all the screens and equipment are waiting, but the team were very reassuring.
Apart from a sore chest and throat I feel remarkably ok and came home late same evening after they were happy that the wound was ok.
I’ve been told all went well but it’ll take up to 3 months to know if successful. I’m off Amiodarone but still on Bisoprolol, apixaban and a reflux drug. I have heart flutters but no pain.
Sleeping was disturbed as uncomfortable on my side. I’m also still smelling anesthetiser or plastic when I breathe from the tubes.. I thought it was the hospital that smelt til I got home😂.
Rest is hard when you feel ok but will make sure that’s what I do. It’s remarkable how ok I feel after a long op.
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AfibofFleet
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I must say that I would not be happy coming home the same day, particularly after a 5 hour session , but this seems to be happening more and more. My 3 ablations have always been an overnight stay ...last one nearly 7 years ago ( can't believe that...)
I wish I had been AF free for 7 years but thats another story!! I'm prob a bit unusual ...🙄
Good luck to you in your recovery !
Great post, it will be very encouraging for others considering having an ablation. Still a way to go though so resist any temptation to do to much, to quick!
All what you described is normal. The plastic smell (petroleum) from the tubing in your nose will take a few days to be rid of. Read the fact sheet from this site and obey the rules. Take care that you are on the MEND. EP told me that my ablation would last 6-6.5 hours, so you're lucky!
You did well to go home same day as GA, I thought it was only after & if well enough folk could go home the same day after having sedation. Hope your recovery goes well - let us know how you get on.
Hi there, thanks for your good wishes. Originally it was just a possibility that that I could go home same day after ablation. They believe it went well, I’m a very active 54 year old with a generally low heart rate.. not sure if that made a difference.
Glad to hear you feel so well and hope everything works out for you. I am on the list for an ablation but my appointment for a cardioversion comes up on Tuesday so will have that and hope it works. The more I read about the ablation the more second, third, and fourth, thoughts I get!
It’s like finding the perfect recipe. For some the cardio version is enough. Some drugs alone is. I had 2 cardio versions as an emergency in A&E. The first lasted a week and 2nd only a few hours..as the drugs were not keeping it at bay. Finally it was the Amiodarone via a drip then onto tablets plus bisoprolol, which made me feel normal again and after a few weeks I was back to yoga and playing tennis, although more tired.
However, that wasn’t a long term solution.. I did have my doubts about ablation as I felt so well but I didn’t want to stay on Amiodarone long term.
Good luck I truly hope the cardio version does the trick.
Unfortunately got a call earlier to day to say the CV was cancelled as the Doc is off sick so hopefully they will get me into the next clinic in 2 weeks time. Devastated because I really wanted to feel better again.
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Finally had my ablation yesterday
Ablation yesterday
Ablation yesterday!
Ablation yesterday
