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I have PAF and have had for about three years. Incidences increased and I consulted my specialist. After giving me a heart monitor for 2 weeks he is now recommending me for an ablation.
My concern is, I am overweight and realistically won't be able to achieve the perfect weight in time, even if the waiting list is long.
Have any of you been given ablations while overweight?
Katie
There is no doubt that weight loss will aid your recovery and the chances of stopping AF but to my knowledge nobody has yet been refused ablation due to being overweight. Obese maybe but if your EP has offered it then go for it. Do try to get that weight off of course but this should be a life style thing rather than a diet one.
thank you for your prompt reply. The expression 'life style changes' always makes me smile a bit. To my overactive imagination it implies I'm in the pub every night chain smoking, going home to take aways and more alcohol and mainlining chocolate bars. Possibly using hard drugs, driving a noisy motor bike too fast up the country lanes, with a lot of bad tattoos. Sadly, no!
Not at all, Lifestyle to me is:- Are you getting enough sleep? Aim for 7-8 hours of good quality sleep. Are you managing your stress? If you are worried and stressed you will be more likely to trigger AF or make the episodes more symptomatic. Are you eating a wide variety of foods so you are getting the full range of nutrients? Lots of veg, little meat and processed foods. Aim for at least 40-50 different types of foods per week. Are you exercising? Doesn’t need to be at the gym, 15min walk once or twice a day will help keep heart healthy.
Is there a perfect weight? It’s a while since my BMI was below 26. I was below 25 for the first 50 years of my life but not these days! Some of us just find it much harder to lose weight, especially if you are female and + certain age.
I certainly try to get enough sleep, but my bladder has other ideas. I'm quite good about stress as I do a lot of deep breathing and have had Hypnotherapy which I found extremely helpful. I've never counted how many types of food I eat in a week but have made a 20 item salad. (actually it's a bit nicer with slightly fewer items.) I mostly have homemade soup for lunch. I do eat meat but not every day, I don't drink or have caffeine in my tea. I'm planning to give up sugar completely in October but I don't have much of it anyway. I am working on increasing my exercise although the dreaded Bisop doesn't help with energy levels etc. Basically, I'm doing my best but obviously, must try harder!
I think if you are doing all that you are doing really well! We all have room for improvement but we do the best we can, there is no judgement here - just suggestions.
I couldn’t cope with Bisoprolol at all so refused then.
Best wishes. CD
My daughter has plans to bring round low calorie meals which is really kind of her. If she's doing that I couldn't possibly cheat! So we'll see how we go.
Katie x
Sounds good to me!
I had ablation in 2013 and was and am overweight. It was successful and I am still free of AF.
that's encouraging! Thank you.
I am classified as obese but like you I have a healthy life style vegetarian no alcohol good sleep patterns etc etc. I had an ablation in March and I think that my weight was overlooked because I am very fit cycling 50 to 100 miles a week plus walking swimming Pilates . I am 64 and the EP thought an Ablation was a good idea to keep me going ! I hope this encourages you.
Golly, that's an amazing level of fitness. I'm working on mine but won't reach your levels. But it is encouraging to hear that. Thank you!
Still obese though! 😂
Can't have everything!
I have had 4 ablations and am considered obese. My EP knew that I was eating the right things and trying to exercise taking into consideration all my other ailments. I am also very symptomatic. My weight was never discussed, except by me! After 5 years free, I am back in AF. When I eventually get to see him again, it will be interesting to see if my weight now becomes an issue because of the Govt's new obsession with obesity.
I'm not sure if I'll be seeing the specialist in person so he may not see if I'm overweight although I definitely am - I'm probably obese.
So sorry you're back in AF but I suppose it must have been lovely being free of it for so long.
Thank you for your kind reply!
Katie
Yes, it was great but I never took it for granted. The EP wont do any procedure unless he sees you.
Thats reassuring about the EP. I have met him before, three years ago, but I think I need a face to face meeting. x
Hi Katie, I am sorry you have to have an Ablation, but I don’t think it should affect you by being overweight. Surely your Consultant would have mentioned it, if it was a problem? I was overweight when I had an Ablation last year and it didn’t seem to cause a problem Due to lockdown and a love of chocolates I am still overweight, but that’s another story! Good luck with it all and I hope you don’t have to wait too long. By the way, I am still loving your books and am about to start “ The French Affair”. Thank you. Love Liz x
Thank you for your kind reply. So far, no one has seen me in person, but when I saw a specialist about 3 years ago my weight was mentioned. I think I was thinner then! I am about to go on a huge diet, helped by my daughter and daughter in law. Let's hope that helps. I'll probably have to wait for a while anyway.
Thank you for enjoying my books. Not sure my sedentary occupation will count as an excuse for my condition!
Love, Katie x
Just seen that you are an author. I am halfway through my first book. Could you PM me as to how you found a publisher? Thank you
So sorry, I don't know how to PM you. May be you could PM me and I could give you some tips? Or look at my website - lots of tips on there (I seem to remember!) Katie
Thank you.
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