The hospital have now said to isolate after my Covid test, which will be 72 hours prior to ablation. They did add, to isolate longer if possible but certainly to observe social distancing for 11 days prior. ......... which I thought we were supposed to be doing anyway? (I have my "move back 2 metres" glare well practised now.😁
Well, that's me finally got my ablation appointment for 3 weeks time. Relieved and terrified in equal measure. Printing off the help sheets to prepare myself.
I have to have a pre op assessment the week before and a Covid test 72 hours before but nothing has been mentioned about isolating prior to the procedure. Some friends have had to isolate for 2 weeks for other day procedures but they live in a different area. I've rung the hospital and waiting for someone to get back to me........ anyone else had to or not had to?
Written by
Ducky2003
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Thanks for the reply Bob. It hadn't crossed my mind until other folk mentioned it when I told them I had a date. Will make things tricky as I've got to re-jig my foot patients with the short notice as it is. Will update my post when I get a reply from the hospital.
Thanks for the reply. The coordinator gave me a whole heap of information but never mentioned isolation. I'm having it done in a private hospital (on the NHS) and he said the prior Covid test was only because it was a requirement of the private hospital. 😏
Thank you. They have now said isolate from the Covid test but to try and social distance for 11 days before.......... haven't most of us been doing that for the past year anyway? 😁
I had to go into the hospital 3 days before my scheduled ablation 4 weeks ago for two different Covid tests and then again on the day but no mention of isolation.
Hi ducky. Can’t comment on the isolation unfortunately as I have no idea. Just wanted to saying congrats on getting booked in, good luck 💪 and let me know how it it goes and how your getting on with recovery 👍 also don’t know if anyone’s mentioned already but if you haven’t already read it read “the afib cure” brilliant book suggested by peony and Ian. Got a great chapter on ablation, what to do and what to expect from recovery. Great book all round. I’m going to work my way through the content to get my body ready so that recovery from my ablation (if needed by then 🤞🤞🤞🤞) will be as swift as possible.
Thank you. I have to go in today as I've been getting fluid retention for the past few days so got to have an ECG. Hopefully, some diuretics and home rather than any other poking and prodding. Will post an update when I've had the ablation. Thanks again.
I flew 3 hours from home down to a C-19 hotspot, Los Angeles, in late OCT 2020 for an ablation. They tested me with nasal swab for C-19 the day before the procedure. No quarantine .... no isolation either at hospital or for the flight home. Spent a week there ... arrived home Virus Free!
I wouldn't be terrified. Recent one was my 4th. Really much better than the ones I had 10 years ago (though, even they weren't that bad).
You will be tired for a week. If they use the updated collagen groin plugs ... you'll be walking the hall within a couple of hours. If not ... you'll be immobile in bed for 8 hours, or so ... while the wounds heal.
See if you can get a Private Room. Much better for resting. If there's a TV ... that's good. I watched some, but napped quite a bit. Had an MP3 player full of music and podcasts, but didn't listen to it.
Throat might be tender for a day from general anesthesia tube. Other than that ... no pains. My first AFIB ablation ... was first time under GA. I awoke with nausea and headache. Now I just tell Anesthetist and they adjust recipe so wake up feeling good.
Don't drink coffee or anything like soda .... or eat anything with caffeine, like chocolate. None of those stimulative foods or drinks go well post-ablation.
They'll probably keep you overnight for observation (although I've learned here that UK sometimes sends you home same day). At home sleeping, you might experience a spiking fever overnight that soaks sheets. That's normal for some (and me). Mine spiked to 102 for recent one and just put wet rag on forehead and resumed sleep.
Good Luck! with procedure and recovery. It's really not bad at all. Some people have probably had worse dental appointments, I'm sure.
Thank you. I don't touch caffeine and not big on choccies so that wont be an issue 😁. I think it will probably be private room, due to Covid and due to them doing the procedure in the private hospital (but paid for by NHS) but I'm not sure what the facilities are like. Decent mobile phone reception would be good as it's not in the main hospital......... usually end up hanging out of a window at a weird angle to try and get a signal 😁. I'm 99% sure it's under sedation rather than GA. As long as they keep me pain free, that's fine. When I had my first cardioversion, they didnt give me enough sedation and I screamed the place down 😁.
I have just had a cardioversion. I had all my pre OP tests etc and had to self isolate from then until the proceedure. I wasnt even allowed to walk through the hospital on the day but had to access the unit from a back door to ensure safety.
Isolation makes sense, mother in law is on 14 day ready for shoulder Op, some seem to differ.Had my ablation 2019, game changer and gave me my life back, hope you get the same. Try not to worry, easy said than done, I was very nervous, but they just treat it as pretty much routine now, and it's even advanced from when I had mine. Its not as bad as your mind makes it, trust me.
Heard good things about Prof Osman, I'm sure you will be fine. Best advice, no matter how good you feel afterwards, it's a slow process healing, don't! overdoo it, and listen to your body, when tired, rest. It's a good 6-12 months before it fully settles and don't get disheartened with the odd blip, it's par for the course. And the book Elli mentioned is definitely worth a read or audiobook if like me you prefer that.
Loads of success stories in here and plenty of people happy to help any questions you have. Soon be in the afib free club 👌
Thanks. Currently sat waiting for cardioversion number 4 in the interim as pulse going crackers and retaining fluid so cardiologist told me to come in yesterday morning. Starved all day saying I would be done yesterday but wasn't. Starved since 8am today and still no sign. Diltiazem has bought down pulse and 2.5kg fluid gone with Furusemide. The joys of AF!🙄
Nightmare at times isn't it with putting stuff off with all this covid stuff going on. They are all exhausted and under staffed I think which doesn't help. Sounds good though with your pulse coming down and that fluid moving, hopefully get back into rhythm with the cardioversion. Had one after my ablation in 2019 after going into flutter, can't even remember anything until I woke back in sinus.
Hi. I'm having my ablation on the 16th April. Had my pre-op this week. I have to self isolate for a week before I go. Quite a strict self isolation as well. Cannot leave the house, eat and sleep apart from other family members unless they isolate with me. They're arranging for a COVID test beforehand for me. They;ll contact me 72 hours before and the test will be 48 hours before. All the best for your ablation!
Isn't it strange how different areas have different rules. No mention has been made to me about keeping away from my husband......... we only have one bed at the minute so that would be interesting 🤣. Hope all goes well for you too.🤞😊
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Ablation Date
Pulse Field Ablation yesterday 
Ablation yesterday
Rivaroxaban prior to ablation
Date for Ablation 
