General Anaesthetic worries

[PennyMary]

I have been in hospital with gall bladder problems. I will need to have it removed as soon as possible. I had an ablation last October and so far so good with a few bumpy bits. Has anyone had experience of a general anaesthetic after a successful ablation. Should I be worried about this

[CDreamer]

Hi PennyMary I think best put this question to the anaesthesiologist. I wouldn’t worry about but would ask questions & certainly ensure your medical team are aware & have read your notes. Don’t assume this will happen without prompting. I would also consult your specialist who performed the ablation for advice/protocols.

As I can no longer have sedation or GA I’m not the person to answer as I have complicated issues.

There have been quite a few posts from people who have had operations with no problems but every case is individual & every surgeon has different criteria to assess risks.

No simple answer I’m afraid.

[PennyMary in reply to CDreamer]

Thank you so much for your helpful reply. I feel more confident now

[Kaz747]

My last ablation was in March 2019 which was a success. In October 202 I needed to have ankle surgery and so was worried as it was surgery on my other ankle in 2016 that triggered my arrhythmias.

My EP upped my dose of beta blockers for a few days before the surgery to help reduce the impact of stress on my body. My anesthetist was wonderful and said before the surgery that if there are any problems with my heart I’ll be sent to the coronary care unit and if not I’d go to the orthopedic ward.

My heart behaves beautifully during the procedure but the next morning it got tachycardic for a couple of hours. Thankfully it soon settled down and I went home later that day.

My surgeon, EP and anesthetist all liaised with each other and had a plan in place.

Make sure you let your doctors know your concerns.

[pottypete1]

I had GA for ablations- no problems.

I also have had two unrelated operations in the past five years with GA - again with no problems.

Pete

[Morzine]

Hi penny, I had ablation two years back, so far so good.Had general aneasthetic a month ago absolutely fine.

The check up you get pre op they will tell you when to take your tablets or stop befire the op....for instance anti coagulants I stopped two days befire, but they will tell you all thst.

Don’t worry, folk have GA with AFIB diagnosis, you must mention it.

Sue

[Auriculaire in reply to Morzine]

What op did you have Sue? When I had my hip replaced in Dec my surgeon ( or possibly the anaesthetist) made me come off Apixaban 8 days before! I had to have Lovenox bridging jabs twice a day and my abdomen was one enormous black bruise. The dose was very high and I reckon I bled alot during the op as they were going to give me a blood transfusion a few days later as my red blood counts were low. In the end they didn't. I will have to have the other hip done later this year and I am going to query this . The half life of Apixaban is very short so a couple of days should be enough. I suspect this protocol is what they always used for Préviscan and they just haven't revised it for DOACS.

[Morzine in reply to Auriculaire]

Mine wasn’t much, I had to have polyps removed from colon last month., so I wasn’t under more than half an hour I bet.Gosh two hip ops within a year that’s good going. Where are u in France ? I have asked before...but ageing brains!!

[Auriculaire in reply to Morzine]

In the Limousin about half way between Brive and Limoges. I won't have the op done until late Oct or Nov as I want to enjoy my garden and hopefully when the hotels and restaurants open up go on holiday on the bike. I spent most of last year in pain with both hips bad so I reckon I can hold on with the aid of Tramadol! There is no way I want to wear those horrible support stockings for a month in summer as there will probably be another heatwave.

[TamlaMotown]

Hi Penny Mary, I have not had an ablation but I have had surgery with GA a month ago & I am pleased to say that I had no problems with my heart or stopping Apixaban

[Desanthony]

Ask your your consultant to have that flagged up on your notes and make sure you mention this to everyone who is caring for you and definitely discuss this with your anaesthetist. If you do have an in person appointment pre op then mention it then - these do not always happen in C19 times and sometimes you only speak to a nurse on the telephone but make sure this is mentioned how ever your pre-op appointment is done.

Since my brilliant experience with sedation and local anaesthetic for a hip replacement over 11 years ago now I ask if it is possible for every operation to be done this way especially now I have the added bonus of AF and apixaban. I realise not all operations can be done this way and some surgeons don't necessarily like this option and a lot of patients don't like it either but if it is an available option it is now always one I would take. Good Luck

[CookieinAL]

I had two knee replacement operations after my ablation, and had absolutely no issues either time.

[C66t]

Hi PennyMary, I had ga for gb op no prob tg best of luck. A tip for your recovery, once you are awake move your shoulders as frequently as possible this helps move the air they pump in your tummy just rotate or bring them up to your ears then as soon as you are able walk around even if you cant straighten up. I tried following morning 10 mins very slowly every hour. I slept almost upright for several days as I found it quite painful to sit up. I stopped Eliquis 48hrs b4 op and restarted following am they gave me heparin injection as bridging. You will be fine.