24 Hours post ablation

[Hammerboy]

Well I'm home ,12 hours on the ward and 3 hours on the table

My groin is fine so far, a lovely sore throat and a bit tired but pretty good on the AF front

Must admit the 6 hours lying flat after was a feat of endurance but once mobile I was on my way home

I have no idea how it went as the EP didnt pop in to see me before I left and the discharge nurse could only hand me the report saying "its all jargon to me"and after reading it this morning I have to agree . It's full of abbreviations and terms I can't decipher

I have a choice of waiting for the 3 months review to ask the EP or ring the arrhythmia nurse later

I have to say I was well cared for throughout so can recommend the Norfolk and Norwich for the procedure.

Fingers now crossed for a successful outcome

[BobD Volunteer]

Hope you have a copy of our Recovering from Ablation fact sheet and pay attention to what we say.

[Hammerboy in reply to BobD]

It's my second procedure so yes Bob I'll be careful to take things easy Many thanks

[Samazeuilh2 in reply to Hammerboy]

Sounds like a good start!

[jeanjeannie50]

Wishing you a good outcome and speedy recovery.

Jean

[Hammerboy in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thanks Jean , I'll stay in touch with my progress . Be nice it it weren't so hot 🙂

[mrgwair567]

Glad all went well with you. Take care.

[Hammerboy in reply to mrgwair567]

Thank you👍

[CDreamer]

Glad all went well, wishing you long lasting NSR and a good recovery.

[Hammerboy in reply to CDreamer]

Many thanks 😊

[Hidden]

Great news, try and keep cool and well hydrated. I had my one done on a Friday so got very little useful information on Saturday morning before leaving!!

[Hammerboy in reply to Hidden]

I was surprised as I was told the EP would visit me before I left ,I guess he was busy. I'm curious as to what they found and why the previous cryo hadn't worked . My pre op assessment arrhythmia nurse said it would all be explained in detail once I'd woken up .

I suppose I'm looking for a light at the end of a long tunnel .

[Hidden]

Think about ringing or emailing your EP’s secretary explaining that you just want to know how the procedure went and that unfortunately, what you were told would happen regarding a de-briefing didn’t, so are feeling concerned and worried. If you choose your words carefully you have nothing to lose 🤞

[Hammerboy in reply to Hidden]

Good advice , I'll try tomorrow after hopefully a better night's sleep in this heat 😴

[Hidden in reply to Hammerboy]

I’m sure you know this already but if you click on this link then scroll down to the list of names in blue, click on yours and the contact details, inc secretary’s name will appear….good luck 😉

nnuh.nhs.uk/departments/car...

[Hammerboy in reply to Hidden]

Thank you , yes I have that info👍

[MishaKitty]

An ablation takes 3 hours? That seems so long. I am glad that you're ok 🙂 I'm new and forgive me for not knowing much about any of this. I just wanted to comment to ask if you're in the UK? I have never heard of a surgeon not speaking to a patient immediately after a surgery. Especially one that was 3 hours. I am so sorry. I asked if you're in the UK, because I'm in America and I've noticed such a considerable amount of differences in healthcare and hospital experiences.

[Hammerboy in reply to MishaKitty]

Yes the UK , at my last cryo ablation he told me how it went within half an hour of waking up from sedation. I can only think he was busy at the time on this occasion.

Ablation can take many hours depending on the complexity.

Please don't apologise for asking questions , it's what the site is for 🙂

[MishaKitty in reply to Hammerboy]

As I've been slowly learning about all of this I was under the impression that ablation was non-evasive and home the same day after a few hours. I'm really glad that you're ok! 🙂

[Hammerboy in reply to MishaKitty]

It was a day case , most of time spent lying flat recovering. I was asleep so no pain and now just a bit sore and tired .It's quite a safe procedure generally

[Singwell in reply to MishaKitty]

It depends if you are sedated only or have a general anaesthetic. With a GA you're typically kept overnight for this procedure. I agree it's a bit odd not getting the feedback at discharge but it's likely there's an arrhythmia nurse service at this hospital and Hammer can follow up that way. The good cardiology units have these nurses here and they're usually great. Really knowledgeable and supportive and you can book calls with them etc. Much better than calling the medical secretary

[MoyB in reply to Singwell]

This is interesting as I have been told nothing about having an arrhythmia nurse and have had no contact with anyone since my procedure on July 6th - definitely no contact with the EP. When I left hospital, there were just two nurses on duty (I had stayed longer than the other patients due to having raging toothache during recovery which was put down to referred pain from the heart) and all I got was a sheet of paper with details of what to do for the next couple of days and an emergency number to phone the ward if I was worried during that time.

I'm in East Sussex.

xx Moy

[MishaKitty in reply to MoyB]

Surgery with no contact with the surgeon or the doctor? Ive only ever heard of that with something like a tooth extraction at the dentist. Wow. It seems this is common in England or am I wrong... as in, I wonder if here they treat ablation the same way 🤔 now I need to find out. The curiosity has a hold of me!

Im so glad that you guys who experienced this are ok 🙏🙂

[Hammerboy in reply to MishaKitty]

Thanks , I have numbers I can call so I'll get to the bottom of it

[MoyB in reply to MishaKitty]

I just went and checked the paperwork I was given. In small writing it is printed, 'follow up appointment has / has not been made' and this is followed by 04.12. So from this I gather I may / may not have a follow up appointment in December! Lol!

xx Moy

[MishaKitty in reply to MoyB]

😯 do you want one sooner? If so, please call them.

[Hammerboy in reply to MoyB]

I'd ring and confirm

[MoyB in reply to Hammerboy]

👍❤️Xx Moy

[Hammerboy in reply to MoyB]

You may find that the number given to you was for the arrhythmia nurses . At my hospital there are about 5 I believe and you are encouraged to call them if you have any worries

[MoyB in reply to Hammerboy]

I have no worries at the moment but the number I was given was only for if I needed advice within 48hrs, so definitely nothing on-going.

My husband has access to the Community Heart Failure nurses as and when he needs them and I have the same access to the Community Respiratory nurses, but as far as my ablation, I've been offered absolutely no ongoing support whatsoever from anywhere.

To be fair, I don't think I really need anything now (thanks to the help and advice I've had from people on this forum), but it feels like a leap in the dark to come home when someone has been doing things to your heart and it's treated as casually as having a tooth filled!

There are many great things happening at our hospital in terms of patient care and treatment while they are there, but there seems to be little support once the deed is done and you're sent home.

xx Moy

[Hammerboy in reply to MoyB]

That's surprising , I had a pre assessment with one of the arrhythmia nurses last week who gave me a number to call .I called this morning and was given the names of all 5 nurses on the team

I'm expecting a call back sometime today He said I could call at any time with any questions I may have .

[Singwell in reply to MoyB]

I think you're within your rights to give chase. That said, not all departments have arrhythmia nurses. Wish they did!

[wilsond in reply to MishaKitty]

Depends on the complexity of what they find. You also have to lie flat for hours afterwards because of the potential for the ground wound to bleed.It is an invasive procedure,as they work inside the heart ❤

[MishaKitty in reply to wilsond]

That seems incredibly serious and should be followed up with a consult from the surgeon. Again, wow. I had a day surgery once here in Boston, Massachusetts and it was nothing so serious as heart related, I had the consult PLUS received a check up phone call the next day to see how i was feeling and later, about a week or so- a "get well soon" card in the mail signed by the doctor and all the nurses on that floor! It was lovely and felt so reassuring.

Excuse me for being so puzzled by this. I'll leave it alone now 🙂 and thankful all is well

[Kennyb1968]

Take care and good luck

[Hammerboy in reply to Kennyb1968]

Thank you 👍

[Buffafly]

You could photograph your discharge form and post it here to see if anyone can interpret it. Someone who has actually had it explained to them might know. My EP came to see me to decide if I was fit enough to go home because I had fluid around my heart but didn’t explain anything at all! Luckily I could understand the report.

[Hammerboy in reply to Buffafly]

That's a good idea , I'll try tomorrow 🙂

[Lenlec]

Maybe give them a call to out your mind at restGood news your home feeling ok

[Hammerboy in reply to Lenlec]

Many thanks 😊

[Lenlec]

When was your last ablation? Did that go well ?

[Hammerboy in reply to Lenlec]

I had my last one in 2019 , that was a cryo ablation. This one was a redo RF procedure

[Lenlec in reply to Hammerboy]

Same for me. My cryo last September hasn’t worked

[Hammerboy in reply to Lenlec]

I'm told it's not uncommon for the cryo ablation , something like 70% are successful but the remaining 30% require a redo after a period of time which is usually done under GA and takes a lot longer as they use 3D mapping to check the right and left Atrium .In my case I think the Pulmonary veins didn't quite get fully isolated using the cryo method . I had lots of AF quite soon after the procedure which continued for months before settling down to about 8 or so episodes a year.

I'm hoping this latest ablation has mopped up the rogue cells and I can have a better outcome this time

Time will tell

[Lenlec in reply to Hammerboy]

Fingers crossed. I get one a month a the mo

[Hammerboy in reply to Lenlec]

Before the cryo I had more frequent episodes but still self resolved in under 12 hoursSince the cryo and after about 6 months the episodes became milder and less frequent but still very random .

I chose to go on the NHS waiting list for a follow up after a review . It took about 14 months or so to come round which isn't bad considering the pandemic delays .

[Lenlec in reply to Hammerboy]

Ah ok cheers. My follow up isn’t till December. May ring then and ask if I can go on the list now then.

[Hammerboy in reply to Lenlec]

It was a review with the arrhythmia nurse last year. She asked how I'd been and suggested I go on the list and make a decision as to accepting the ablation when the time came .I felt it was worth a try as my AF , although improved after the first ablation , was still an issue .

I'm glad I had the opportunity and hope it's worked this time

[Norfolk_spaniel]

Read your report with interest. I have an ablation booked at NNUH at the end of September with Dr Till. Pleased to hear that yours went so well.

[Hammerboy in reply to Norfolk_spaniel]

Well the best of luck , I felt very well looked after by the whole team and would have no hesitation having the procedure again if necessary. I do hope it isn't though 😉

[stoneyrosed]

All the very best for your outcome Hammerboy ! Was this second Ablation RF ? Sorry I was right about Sonny Perkins heading Leeds way, all the best for the new season 👍

[Hammerboy in reply to stoneyrosed]

Many thanks , yes my follow up was RF under GA .Time will tell if he made the right decision I guess

[stoneyrosed in reply to Hammerboy]

I had RF procedure the second time around 8 weeks ago. Mine only took about an hour and I had very light sedation interestingly compared to your GA. I have had 2-3 AF incidents since the ablation but nothing for two weeks, hoping the scars heal within the 3 month blanking period. Also my EP never came to see me after the procedure either, I have been told to wait for the phone app in 3 months. Not ideal but it is what it is. Rest up 👍

[Hammerboy in reply to stoneyrosed]

I intend to but I will follow things up as its not in my nature to shrug my shoulders 😉Sounds like you didn't need much doing which is a good sign

[stoneyrosed in reply to Hammerboy]

To be honest I don’t think there is much the EP can tell you straight after the procedure, the 3 month blanking period will give them more of an idea on wether it was successful or not. I will take a guess and say your cardio nurse will tell you it all went fine 😊

[Hammerboy in reply to stoneyrosed]

You may well be right 🙂 I just want to know what they found and what they did. The EP said before I went down they were going to have a good look around and see what was going on .I'm just curious really .

[Singwell]

Bit gung ho isn't it re the discharge? I'm guessing because all went well. I saw the registrar I think after my first, not successful, ablation but only the arrhythmia nurse after my 2nd. Which went well. Take it as a good sign. Keep extra hydrated this weekend!

[Hammerboy in reply to Singwell]

Thank you, I kept being told the EP would see me before leaving but I finally got transferred from the ward I was on to a separate recovery area .The nurses there only seemed to be interested in getting me mobile and discharging me Unfortunately they had no knowledge of my procedure as such so just told me to read the report.

I'll chase it up now I'm feeling a bit better

[Singwell in reply to Hammerboy]

Ahh. The eternal shortage of beds problem. Poor old NHS! Luckily it was your 2nd time.

[Hammerboy in reply to Singwell]

Well the good news is the arrhythmia nurse called me back today and explained the report .The ablation was a success , my pulmonary veins had reconnected so were re-isolated and my right atria was mapped and any rogue cells ablated .I went into AF before they brought me round so I was cardioverted with flecanide intravenously .

If I have an AF episode during the blanking period I have to call them so they can do an ECG and talk to the EP.

If no AF during the blanking period he'll see me in 3 months in outpatients .

All sounds ok , she checked how I was and said call back any time if I had any questions.

Happy with that, now rest and wait 🙂

[waveylines in reply to Hammerboy]

Thats great that you now know & know who to ring if you have any probs. Fingers crossed they got the little beastie this time! Wishing you a smooth recovery.

[Hammerboy in reply to waveylines]

Thank you 👍

[Lilypocket]

I wish you a successful recovery and long may NSR continue!X

[Hammerboy in reply to Lilypocket]

Many thanks 😊

[4chickens]

Glad it went well, now take time to recover

[Hammerboy in reply to 4chickens]

Many thanks , will do👍

[Ppiman]

Well done - and in our favourite part of the country, too! Best wishes for success.

Steve

[Hammerboy in reply to Ppiman]

Many thanks mate 👍

[willec49]

Congratulations on a smooth procedure. All the best of luck going forward, hopefully afib free or greatly reduced incidents.

[Hammerboy in reply to willec49]

Many thanks 😊

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

HII agree success would be optimal.

After my thyroidectomy I hastened to drink a smoothie. I prefer the blueberry, banana etc. SIMPLY SQUEEZED. Everywhere in NZ but you are in UK.

I spent 6 years with 3 trips home in 1990s.

Being a descendent of UK my all grands on both sides from DEVON. I enjoyed my stay working and travelling out. After 2 years I realised I could have RIGHT OF ABODE having been married to a Brit sadly Dec'd.

I felt at home, didn't mind the weather . Bought a moped and then a Reliant Realtor.

Memories.

I cant have an Ablation. Which type did you have?

cheri JOY. 73. (NZ)

[Hammerboy in reply to JOY2THEWORLD49]

Hi , it was an RF procedure with 3D mapping

[JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply to Hammerboy]

Hi

Best to give RF in full as this abbreviation is NOT CLEAR for the lay personal.

Is it Radio Active ..?

Thanx. JOY 73 (NZ)

[Hammerboy in reply to JOY2THEWORLD49]

Radio frequency , sorry 🙂

[dave152248]

good luck

[Hammerboy in reply to dave152248]

Many thanks 😊

[wilsond]

Well done ! I'd contact someone to find how they thought it went. There is no sign of a 3 month review appointment for me yet,9 weeks after ablation. I'm not bothered as I got feedback straightaway,but you might want to pursue?Take it steady

[Hammerboy in reply to wilsond]

Will do thanks👍

[Buffafly in reply to wilsond]

They’ll say it went well! They only talk to you if it didn’t so you won’t have too high expectations…….

[Hammerboy in reply to Buffafly]

I get that but my last cryo the EP came and told me what he'd done The printed report I got this time is quite detailed but in Jargon so difficult to know what was found and addressed .

[Snowgirl65]

Best of wishes for a full and successful recovery.

[Hammerboy in reply to Snowgirl65]

Many thanks 😊

[belindalore]

🙏☺

[Afibflipper]

Hoping your recovery is still going well😊

[Hammerboy in reply to Afibflipper]

All good so far thank you , very tired but on track 🙂