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second ablation tomorrow

Bell50 profile image
22 Replies

when I first said I was having my first ablation last November it was the unknown that frightened me the most and now it’s what I know, only because I wasn’t very well after having it done GA doesn’t agree with me and the nurse at my pre op appointment went in to great detail what they are going to do and what can go wrong. This time I am having it done at Leicester Hospital and have been told it could take four hours is that normal for a second ablation as the first didn’t take too long ? I was even thinking of cancelling as last month I had three good weeks with out any Afib then it came again but it does seem to have settled into another routine but my EP says that can happen and that I still need it doing as I have counted that since last November I have had over 70 episodes which is why I am having the ablation again. So wish me luck and will update when it’s done.

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Bell50 profile image
Bell50
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22 Replies
Rainfern profile image
Rainfern

Hi Bell, wishing you good luck, I’m sure you’ll be glad to have the ablation. I’m on a long waiting list for my first one and I often think how hugely lucky we are to be living at a time when this procedure is available, and in the hands of such highly skilled EP cardiologists. That thought helps outweigh the anxiety!

stoneyrosed profile image
stoneyrosed

We all have doubts before the procedure, it’s normal. Of course it isn’t a nice thing to have to go through, but AF is not nice either and in the long term it will hopefully improve your chances of having a better quality of life. I had a second ablation last June and despite having 1-2 episodes I am massively improved and not had any since dec last year. Some people are unable to have more than one ablation so your medical team must be confident of it been a successful outcome. All the best !

BobD profile image
BobDVolunteer

Four hours is normal for RF ablation. No need to say good luck as there is nothing to worry about.

Buffafly profile image
Buffafly

Well I will wish you good luck as nothing is certain in life! I wonder whether you had a cryoablation first time round? That is usually fairly short but can miss the problem areas. An RF is longer because it is more thorough and targeted 🍀

Buffafly profile image
Buffafly

Make sure you emphasise how badly the GA affected you. A good anaesthetist can tweak things. I told mine I was always sick after a GA and they gave me a huge dose of anti sickness meds so I couldn’t swallow anything dry for nearly 24 hours!

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50

Good luck with your second ablation Bell.

From what I can recall of my second ablation it took 6 hours. I do have the times of each one (had 3) written down somewhere, but can't find.

Let us know how you get on please.

Jean

Bell50 profile image
Bell50

Thanks everyone will let you know how I get on.

rosyG profile image
rosyG

good luck- let us know how you get on- it may be much shorter- they can't tell until in the area - probably just giving you an average time!

Nan1 profile image
Nan1

sending you good luck wishes.

Csingicsong profile image
Csingicsong

Good luck! Hope all goes well.🤞I am going to have my RF ablation next Friday and I am very anxious. x

JefferyW profile image
JefferyW

Wishing you well. I have had two ablations - the first like you lasted three months the second seems to have done the trick. A year later and never felt better! Swimming playing with Grandchildren and that dark cloud of Afib lifted - for now at least.

My EP said that having two ablations is quite common - the second one being needed to mop up the rogue pathways that they missed first time around.

Like you I struggled after the first procedure having reacted toGA and ended up with 48 hours in hospital. The second one was just as long 4 hours but I was in at 7:30 and out but 5:30 same day - a bit bruised and battered but happy and two weeks later fully recovered.

Hope this story repeats itself for you. Good luck and best wishes.

Jeff

Bell50 profile image
Bell50 in reply to JefferyW

Thankyou jefferyW

I don’t have to be there till 11 o’clock so I am trying to keep myself busy until we have to leave, this time they said I could drink up till 8 so have been trying to drink as much water as I can. Will let you all know how it goes

Keano99 profile image
Keano99

you’ll be fine Bell, the teams carrying out ablations are highly skilled and have amazing technology to guide them through…

Dudtbin profile image
Dudtbin

are you going to glenfield hospital? They are a great team in my experience. Best wishes

BeeBee79 profile image
BeeBee79

Hi there, I felt awful after my first ablation - the GA didn’t agree with me and I actually felt suicidal for a few hours (never before even had depression). I had 2 more ablations under sedation and my 4th had to be done under GA. At the pre-op, I mentioned my fear and reaction to the GA so they said they would use an alternative and they allowed my husband to be with me during the lying down period which helped immensely. I had a much better reaction.

Let us know how you get on xx

MWIC profile image
MWIC

Very best of luck and hope all goes well with the desired outcome - let us know how you’re doing - on a list for my 1st

Colutd profile image
Colutd

Good luck tomorrow and let us know how you got on please. I have my 2nd one in a months time so I know exactly how you feel. My first one was done through the freezing method but next one is schedule for 5 hours in Glenfield Leicestershire so obviously a more detailed procedure this time as I was getting flutters as well as AF episodes so I think I have more area to be addressed this time.

Danny

Bell50 profile image
Bell50 in reply to Colutd

back home now all went well I had mine done at glenfield I had a couple of issues with blood clots in my mouth as they must have caught me and my groin keeps bleeding but so far so good I too had mine frozen first time around and this time he burned them, one had mended it self from last time and he also did my flutter too. Good luck with yours.

Colutd profile image
Colutd in reply to Bell50

so pleased t went well for you and it’s all over. Hope you have a speedy recovery. Even though I was fine with the first ablation I’m really anxious about this one, probably because it’s est for 5 hours? Who did you ablation fir you if you don’t mind me asking?

Bell50 profile image
Bell50 in reply to Colutd

dr somani and it took three hours so wasn’t too bad.

KathFrances profile image
KathFrances

I had my second ablation a year ago in Bristol and so glad I went ahead with it - I've had no AF since. It's well worth it!

Margeau profile image
Margeau

I’m sure you’ll be fine I’ve had 3 ablationsI had a pacemaker after the last one & have been fine since no episodes at all, that was 2 years ago & I’m 87 it’s been the making of me.

They’ve just sent me a monitor to have by the side of the bed so won’t even have to go for check ups.

Take a deep breath & go for it.

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