I have read the fact sheets ahead of my ablation in just over a week .......... very informative and helpful.
Just a couple of questions though, that were not covered.
Don't laugh but what happens, if mid procedure, you need to pee? It's not like you can cross your legs and I can fidget for England 😁. Also, do they lay you completely flat for the procedure and for recovery afterwards as I usually have a spinning room if I lay flat. Lastly, how is a decision made on whether they access through the groin or wrist? I would have thought the wrist would be easier to wound manage afterwards but presumably, there is a reason for the groin being preferred?
Enough mad questions for now 😊.
Written by
Ducky2003
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
I can’t speak for others but I had a catheter so peeing wasn’t a problem - I was on the table for 7+ Hours but that was 2014 so I think the procedures and equipment now enable more speedy ablations!
You have to lie absolutely flat both for the procedure and for recovery afterwards and no fidgeting allowed, absolutely still but the sedation you will receive will make you very sleepy so you will find you will drift in and out so it will feel like only a few moments. I would mention that you have a problem being absolutely flat and they may be able to adjust the bed slightly for recovery. The most important thing I was told was I couldn’t move my legs for 6 hours in recovery and I had a dragon watching my every move! But as I say, things may have moved on nowadays. It’s really a lot easier than you can imagine it will be.
I believe the groin is used as it’s easier to thread a catheter through to the heart through the femoral vein. If the wrist is used I think the artery is used? I believe that is a more specialised procedure? Harder to thread against the flow?
Thank you for the reply. Yikes! I don't fancy them sticking in a catheter 😳. Its a cryoablation so I'm hoping it wont turn into a long, drawn out thing. I had a kidney biopsy a couple of years ago and had to lie still for 8 hours after and it drove me mad.
I didn’t feel a thing and it was very easy, the thought is often worse than the reality. Cryoablation is always much quicker, I think many are down to an hour or so but sometimes they can’t get the coverage and need to follow through with RF.
My experience with ablation was really good. I have no more AF now. I don't take Flacinide any more. It was not the doctor who stopped it. I stopped it myself by coincidence because of the Interaction of Indapamide about 6 months after.
If you worry about the urge to pee, just go before the procedure.
Yes, you have to be flat until the next day. I couldn't sleep well in the ICU and my back was killing me. I had to ask for pain killer. The next morning, I asked the nurse to put a pillow on my back so I could lie on the side to ease my sore back.
My ablation was done through the groin. You don't need to attend to the wound. I was in the hospital for 3 nights.
I'm hoping not to end up in ICU or in for 3 nights either ......... hoping to be home the same day. Sadly, I can't pee on demand. When a gals gotta go, a gals gotta go !😁
You just go before the procedure. While you're under there is no urge to pee. I've never had the cryo.
My recent ablation was with newest procedures. They use collagen plugs in the groin (with many benefits from the old method). No applying painful pressure in recovery to stop bleeding. No stopping blood thinner for ablation. No laying flat-on-your-back for 8+ hours (you can walk after an hour or two in recovery). And, faster healing with freckle-sized groin wounds.
I hope you get the collagen. My others were the 'old' method, and it can get tedious and uncomfortable. Just practice laying immobile for 3 or 4 hours . . . then double the time.
I absolutely know how you may be feeling! These are not mad questions. As a woman of a certain age, I could get an Olympic medal for peeing, and I can’t wait! and wriggling.Are you in the UK? Have you had your “pre-med” appointment? If not, when you do share your concerns.
My cryo ablation was in November. The staff were completely wonderful, and really made me comfortable. My concern was cold, cryo ablation can be cold and I am permanently cold, but I told them and I got extra blankets and all was fine.
Peeing- I was “nil by mouth” for some hours, and peed just before the procedure and the sedation probably helped. To my surprise, I was fine! No indignities and I was able to wait until I was allowed to walk. I was in the “operating room” for two hours, lay flat for a bit then went home. The only person kept overnight when I was in was someone who was very late having the procedure and had pre-existing aggravating factors and lived alone.
Lying flat - tell them, you may be able to be slightly raised or the sedation may help you.
Groin is the usual clinical choice I believe. I had no problem.
Thank you. Not really age related as I can want to pee seeing a running tap 🤣🤣🤣. Yes, in UK and pre op is on Weds. I have to be at the hosp for 8am ablation day so hopefully, that means early in. I had a kidney biopsy a couple of years ago and has to lay still for 8 hours afterwards. They wouldnt let me get up for the loo and made me use a bed pan 😳. The amount of shuffling and wriggling required to get on and off that bloomin thing without it spilling probably caused more issues than getting up and walking 4 steps to the loo! 😁. Thanks for your help.
I was the same when younger! Bedpans! I know- when I had a major op I insisted on a catheter (against their strong advice) as the previous op involved the bed pan - and the related pain when moving - and perversely even a running tap didn’t do the trick! The ablation was fine and I was worried as you are. No problem honestly. But tell them..
Maybe too much information but following prostate cancer and surgery I have some urgency incontinence which I warned them about and they just stuck a puppy pad under me "just in case. " simples.
Pretty sure I had pillows for recovery. An hour after the cryo ( or was it two? I thin k one) I went from lab to recovery ward for an hour and then to the main ward waiting until the groin had healed enough to be discharged. I was eating chicken and stuffing sarnies and had a drink of water with them very soon after I went to the main ward and I was not flat whilst doing that!
Where are you going for your ablation? I'm off to Bristol on Friday, again an 8:00am appointment which means leaving home at about 5:00am! During my pre-op call I mentioned to the doctor about my recent knee replacement and lying flat. They're going to put a pillow under my knee for me. So, mention to them about your inabilit to lie flat. I'm sure they'll sort something for you. All the best xx
Thanks. Will do. I'm in Coventry so supposed to be having mine at the BMI as the NHS are renting space over at the private hospital. It's only 5 mins drive so thankfully, no long journey involved. Hope all goes well for you.
I've got a two+ hour drive..... Should be two hours distance wise but Bristol is a pig to get around...... Not looking forward to the drive home. Take care xx
I took them myself. At the pre-op the nurse suggested the internal catering left something to be desired so I may be well advised to bring my own, so I took a meal deal from the CO-OP along with the bag for my clothes!
Love it. Having spent 3 days in hospital over Easter, I can understand the catering issue! I'm hoping, as supposedly I'm being done at the private hospital, there may be a better offering 🤣. May take something to be on the safe side.😊
During my procedure 5 days ago (lasting 4 hours and I was anesthetized), I had no need to pee. I then had to lay flat for 5 hours, but most of that time I was very groggy and wanted to sleep anyway. I only had to pee during that last hour, and after that I was helped out of bed to the bathroom. During my first ablation 2 years ago, I did have to pee during that 5-hour laying-flat position and the nurses used a temporary catheter on me. As far as your inability to lay flat, maybe they can raise your head but not your chest area to keep you comfortable. If you're worried about the groin area from the catheters, it was really no big deal for me. The only pain I had was when they removed the sutures but that too was no big deal. They hardly bled at all, and all's right now.
Thank for that. They seem to go more for GA in the States rather than sedation. I'm hoping it's not a 4 hour job 😳. Hope that you are recovering well. 😊
Good news If you would like some advice please do not hesitate to contact the Patients Services team at the A F Association via info@afa.org.uk or call our helpline 01789 867 502. Alternatively, you may find some of our Patient Information booklets helpful heartrhythmalliance.org/afa.org or join our Virtual Patient Educational Platform for video presentations of treatment options including what to expect at the procedure. Patients Day - Arrhythmia Alliance (heartrhythmalliance.org)
I didn't see where you specified whether you will be sedated or given general anesthesia. I had my ablation a couple of weeks ago under GA. I had to go without food or water from midnight on and was given an opportunity to "go" just before, so no bathroom break needed. The catheters went through my groin. I have multiple back problems so I inquired ahead of time about pillows. I was allowed to have a couple under my knees and one under my neck as well. I was fine afterwards.
I have had trouble with vertigo but a physical therapist fixed that for me in one treatment with the Epley maneuver. I wish I'd had it done years earlier.
Hi. I am fairly sure its sedation as I've not been advised any different but having pre op clinic tomorrow so will probably have a definitive answer then. Glad to hear you are doing well.😊
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 yesterday
ablation update as promised 
ablation done
2nd Ablation 
Ablation next week
