slight bleeding from groin wound

[Lenlec]

had my Rf ablation yesterday.

Last night after making myself some dinner I noticed. The groin area bleeding a little

Anything to worry about or is this common ?

Any tips on what to do if it continues

Cheers

[CDreamer]

The way to stop bleeding is by holding firm pressure for up to 5 minutes and stop moving around, if you HAVE to climb stairs keep the leg straight. You should have been a letter which explains what you should do.

If it doesn’t stop easily it is something you should ring the number you were given and talk to people who did the ablation. If it starts to bleed heavily - A&E immediately.

[Lenlec in reply to CDreamer]

Ok thanks

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Lenlec]

And stop doing so much. First week TV remote only. Week two you can make some tea.

[bantam12 in reply to BobD]

My brother in law was told (top London Hospital) rest for a couple of days then get on with it and he was fine. How do we know which advice to follow, thats why I didn’t go ahead with ablation as at the time and now there’s no way I can do absolutely nothing for weeks as I live alone.

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to bantam12]

I'd always go by the advice of people who have actually had an ablation. Saying that how you feel after one varies from one person to another. As Bob has said it's best to do as little as possible for the first week and then ease back very slowly into your normal routine the second week. I've had 3 ablations and felt differently after each one.

Jean

[Buffafly in reply to bantam12]

The advice is not serious. It is to emphasise to those who would go home and cook a three course meal on the day after the ablation that it should be a ready meal 😂 Some people can rest for two days and then ‘get on with it’ but not everyone can or should and it gives permission to those who don’t recover quickly to listen to their bodies. Also it warns you to be prepared with ready meals, a short term cleaner if you care enough, a dog walker, or a few days in a Premier Inn! Just in case…..

[CDreamer in reply to bantam12]

Many people who live alone manage. If you are young and fit then doctor advice may apply - they are all mostly under 50 and quite fit. As we age healing becomes much longer but going outside walking is very different from walking around your house, you always need to keep moving so when we say don’t do much it doesn’t mean just rest 100% of the time. You do need someone with you for the first 24 hours as a precautionary, after that you should be fine. If you can’t walk up and down stairs then they in my experience they won’t allow you home. You have lots of options to put things in place to help so you don’t need to drive or go out shopping.

Hope that helps.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to bantam12]

Our fact sheet was compiled by me following asking here of our wide field of members what they were not told and wished they had been. It is well known that many doctors underestimate how long it takes to recover. Well it isn't them who had the procedure!

For those living alone, some simple preparation such as filling your freezer with prepared meals can ensure a relaxed and restful recovery as if I remember is suggested in our preparing for fact sheet compiled by Flapjack.

[MaryCa in reply to bantam12]

So you clea the house before. You freeze dinners. You shop online. You get organised . You can toddle around there's just no exerting yourself.

[bantam12 in reply to MaryCa]

If only it were that easy, unfortunately my circumstances were a lot more complicated at the time so just not possible to “get organised “ but thanks for your suggestions.

[MaryCa in reply to bantam12]

That's a pity. Hopefully you can get some help for the next time. Afib was terribly exhausting for me and the ablation last Dec has been brilliant.

[ibuputih in reply to bantam12]

Same here. Mine was done in a well known London clinic and I was told the same. Basically, here’s a bunch of dressings for the 2 groin wounds, don’t have a bath until they have healed, take it easy for 24/48 hours until the effects of the GA have left your system, book your follow up appointment and you’re good to go. I was fine and life went straight back to normal.

[Tigger_2 in reply to bantam12]

I know the feeling.

If I don't do it, it doesn't get done. If the pepper mill runs out, I know who has to fill it, then go and buy some more if there's none in the cupboard.

It's life.

[TracyAdmin Partner]

If the wound continues to bleed, appears inflamed or painful, please do not hesitate to contact the hospital for further advice.

[Linkj]

I did rest but my groin wound bled a little for a week. The wound was about 1cm and I think it might have needed a stitch or steristrip but it healed fine after a week, a bigger scar than from previous ablation and other side (they did both sides this time!)

[Brizzy50000]

What Bob said, do nothing get a takeaway, sit, lounge around, I stayed in bed for 2 days then moved to comfy chair and that was it for a while. That was 5 years ago and still AF free

Good luck

[Cabinessence]

If you was on medication I'd blame the blood thinners you're taking. But as you're on no meds whatsoever, it might be wise to check with your AFib team who did the procedure.

[Banquo]

Hi Lenlec...first off, it's very normal! Those are big wounds and need some time. Tou may get occasional oozing for a while. Take it easy and don't overdue it. I just had my second ablation and had oozing, mostly out of one side, for several days after. I put a normal bandaid on it for a couple days and eventually it had no ooze. And, my first ablation took much longer to heal..i babied the groin wounds for even longer and had occasional ooze, and i really took it easy. So...yes its normal so soon after the ablation! As others have said, pressure for a while in the wound can help stop the bleeding as needed.