Ablation recovery period

[Tab1966]

Hello all, I'm booked in for my first ablation for Afib on 25th March. If all goes well, should I be well enough to travel in the UK for a short break holiday, just 2-3 weeks later? I've read on the forum lots of reports where some people have been unwell in the few weeks following their proceedure, and I'm now wondering whether I should consider cancelling this trip. Any insight would be gratefully received 😊

[Desanthony]

If I were you I would cancel and re book for later in the year. If you cancel now there should be able to recover any money already spent out in deposits. Better safe than sorry. It could be that you will be fine from the word go or within just a couple of weeks. Have a look at our pamphlets on ablation and recovering from an ablation on the AFA website. These are written by patients for patients so provide good advice based on experience.

[Tab1966 in reply to Desanthony]

Thankyou, I'll do that 😊

[BobD Volunteer]

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Try this.

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Hi Tab1966

Abnormalities of rhythm associated sometimes with physical symptoms and /or anxiety, are common in the first 3 MONTHS after ablation (the so called blanking period).

In your position, I wouldn’t be going away 3 weeks after ablation.

[trevs7]

It's a gamble...

3-weeks after my 1st ablation I went away to a wedding, which included driving for a couple of hours (each way) and staying in a B&B for a couple of days. Whilst I felt a bit tired and fatigued, it wasn't too bad.

Today, I am 3-weeks post ablation number 2, and I wouldn't like to do that trip again at the moment. I feel much more tired than I did after the first one. I have mild dizzy spells, get slightly out of breath when walking upstairs, feel like I have a bloated stomach after eating just a small amount of food etc etc; so my recovery this time will be much slower. As you can imagine, it doesn't put one in the mood to do too much, and I certainly wouldn't enjoy being away from home at the moment.

If it were me, I would check the latest date you can cancel to see if you can make your decision as late as possible post-ablation. Who knows, you may be one of the lucky ones that sail through the recovery 😀

[SaxoBill]

Everyone is different but my opinion is that you shouldn't cancel the holiday. I had cryoablation mid January under local sedation. Took things very easy for the first two weeks but by week 3 I had started to go back to the gym. I travel from London to coast every week by car and recommended this week 3 with no problems. Having a holiday might aid your recovery. As long as you're not exerting yourself too much, going on long walks etc I'd say go and have a good time. I'm 5 weeks in now and have pretty much got my life back. Good luck whatever you decide.

[Elephantlydia]

It is important to remember everyone is difference,however my partner who has an ablation one month before our trip to India for 16 days,had a lovely holiday with no problems.We did make sure we had good travel insurance,and mentioned she had an ablation for her AF.

[Karendeena in reply to Elephantlydia]

Really positive attitude, well done! If you don't mind me asking who did you do your insurance with and was it expensive?

[Nan1]

Having had my ablation three weeks ago tomorrow. I think if I were you I would go on your holiday a few weeks later when you will feel more like going. Best wishes

[Tab1966 in reply to Nan1]

I hope you're recovering well Nan1 😊

[Nan1 in reply to Tab1966]

Hello Tab. Not doing too badly now. Keeping positive. Thank you

[Tab1966 in reply to Nan1]

Thats good to hear 😊

[Singwell]

If it's a gentle holiday and you are not doing the driving I'd say week 4 is safer then week 3. I've had 2 ablations and went at 3 and 4 weeks respectively in the UK. I overdid a beach walk on the first one (the 3 weeks) and set off AF for a bit. With the 2nd ablation-, holiday at 4 weeks - no problems. But do be careful about physical exertion and over indulgence. BTW the reason for needing a 2nd ablation was nothing to do with the holiday event.

If this is your first ablation my other advice is to really take it easy those first 10 days. No bending or lifting! And when BobD says sit on the sofa with the remote on your hand for all of week 1, he means it. Week 2, you're allowed to make a cup of tea 😉

[Jajarunner]

I felt rubbish, really weak for 2-3 months after all of mine. But some get better much quicker. I'm also quite active so expect a lot of myself on holiday!! If it was more of a driving/sitting/relaxing type hols it would be different xx

[Alan1947]

There is, of course, also the possibility that the thing will be postponed ! Each of mine was cancelled,, the first one twice.

[jeanjeannie50]

I've had 3 ablations and felt differently after each one. The first 2 appeared to make my AF worse, but there were some benefits too. The 3rd made me feel instantly better, but I had a run of tachycardia before I could leave hospital this lasted about 24hrs, 4-6 weeks later it took off again and I had a cardioversion. I've not had an overly high heart rate since, but am now in constant AF between 60-90bpm. EP has said there's no more than can do for me, but I can cope and feel well.

After an ablation you can feel well with lots of energy, but be warned a very sudden tiredness can come over you and the feeling of being unable to take another step.

I'd take your holiday a little later, give yourself about 3 months.

Jean

[Stodds]

hi… I have had 3 ablations.. went back to work the day after the first one… big mistake!! Was sent home, and started back 4 days later.. was ok-ish.

2nd and 3rd ones I was told by work not to come back for a fortnight.. that was good advice. The worst bit for me was the bruising and swelling where they put a truck load of instruments up your groin !!

If all goes well 2-3 weeks, (as long as it’s not a cycling holiday) should be fine

[Flyer2820]

I had an ablation on November 5th 2019.I spent one night in hospital and one day after recovering, just watching tv. The next day I was out and about and even pushed an elderly gentleman in a wheelchair. I had ten days after, af free then had a full week of mild af, then nothing. I have been af free now for over 4 years. I know everyone is different but I suggest you see how you are after the ablation and then decide. When I had af the doctor told me to get on with my life. If I wanted to build a wall, do it and if I felt bad, stop. I tried not to allow it to spoil my life but was glad when it was gone.

Good luck and if you decide, have a good holiday.

Regards

Flyer.

[Cabinessence in reply to Flyer2820]

4 years!! I'm only 7 months since mine and post-procedural Amiodarone probably kept me in rhythm for three or more of those, but it's still soooo great to feel AF free. Here's to 4 more for you Flyer and indeed all on here.

[Cabinessence]

RE how long to recover, everyone's different. So even though my AFib had been extremely symptomatic and debilitating, especially when on Bisoprolol, I managed a two mile hilly walk and was back at work 3 days later (the walk not advisable by the way, even though it didn't end up causing any problems). Within 2 weeks I was back down the gym, taking it easy, but exercising still. Some on here however really struggled for energy and spent many weeks or even longer in recuperation, not being able to do much at all. It may have helped that I am quite fit for my age and still did regular gym sessions, albeit at a reduced level, right up to the day before the procedure. As far as cancelling is concerned, AFib had put me in heart failure mode, so even if I'd been due up to the Palace for an investiture, I wouldn't have cancelled the ablation. I did say "if"😂. As you're paying you might not have to wait so long to re-arrange it, but I'd heard stories of a 12 month and more wait on the NHS, so wasn't prepared to cancel for any reason.

[Tab1966 in reply to Cabinessence]

Thanks for your reply. Its so good to hear about your quick recovery! Hoping mine can mimic yours 😊 my Afib too has been very symptomatic and worsening all the time, so I'd have the ablation tomorrow if I could. I've been waiting on the NHS since October so will be around a 6th month wait when I have it.

[Baxter16838]

Hello!I am closing in on 3 weeks post ablation.

I would talk to your doctor before you travel.

I have to say, I had horrific migraines for 3 days post op but I randomly develop a bothersome headache off and on .

You may find as I did that the incision in the crease of your leg caused more discomfort than anything.

That alone could put a damper on fully enjoying your trip.

My best wishes and orayers for an easy procedure and a quick seamless recovery!

[Ablation7]

I had those migraines for more than a week after mine. Ugh.

[Karendeena]

I am following you, my ablation is the 26th March in Glenfield, Leicester. Where are you having yours?

[Tab1966 in reply to Karendeena]

Good luck. I had my pre -op today and we are all systems go 😊 have everything crossed that it does actual go ahead! I'm having mine done at the Royal Bournemouth.

[Karendeena in reply to Tab1966]

Thank you. I am scared silly 😜Are you having GA or sedation? I am not given a choice - it's sedation for me and told anything from 1 - 4 hours!

Have you been told to keep on the blood thinners?

Best of luck and keep me posted 🙂

[Blancawestie]

There are so many variables after ablation. I had mine 10 days ago and still very bruised and swollen all the way down to my foot. I get tired very easily, heart rate before ablation between 60 and 80, currently 80-100, today was my first day of being a little more active. Just short walks. I still spend a lot of time in my recliner with my leg elevated trying to get the swelling down. I think a lot of my problems are due to my age (84) and being on a blood thinner for 4 years. We are scheduled for a trip to the south of France in April and I believe I will be fine by then. If it was me and I if could cancel without penalties I would do it as I stated earlier there are a lot of variables I hope everything goes well with your procedure.

[Tab1966 in reply to Blancawestie]

Hope your recovery continues and that you're fit to travel for your holiday in April 🤞

[Letofeyd]

Please take on board all the good advice here to be cautious.Your heart has been burned, and a hole punched through the septum.Just because it is not visible, and because it is an outpatient procedure, some people are hugely underestimating the needs of recovery.

Your heart takes 3 months for the scar tissue to fully heal, and surgeons say that the heart is at its most inflamed around 3 weeks after the operation.

Hold off until well after that - no stairs, hills, gym, or strenuous activities.

You may not realise that you have overdone it until your heart reacts with a bout of arrhythmia, which really is not what you want to happen.

(I am 4 weeks post-op robot-assisted, laparoscopic, minimally invasive procedure in Tokyo with Dr Ohtsuka.)

[Tab1966]

Thankyou to all of you for your shared advice, I really appreciate it. I've taken everything on board and we decided to cancel our trip at Easter. We could do so without losing any money. The slightly annoying thing is that I work in a school and most of my recovery time will be over the school easter holiday 🙄 and as we are not permitted to take time off during term time, I wont be able to plan anything else until May half term. Oh well....

[sdweller]

You will be fine by then, but not necessarily for a holiday, in my humble opinion, especially if you want to have a pint or two. If you aren’t planning on drinking, then ok. I also would want to put myself in a position of stability for awhile, ie, consistency in sleeping, eating, etc., as changes like that can affect our heart as we all know. So not ideal from my perspective anyway.