Ablation recovery

[Spj57]

Hello everyone, I am currently scheduled for an ablation next week. I only discovered at the pre op that apparently I have flutter as well as paroxysmal AF 😕 The nurse said they will be doing both sides of my heart because of this. I am very worried about the whole thing and I have never had any kind of surgery before. I'm trying to look ahead though and wondering how long recovery might be (I understand I may get episodes of AF for 12 weeks or so) , specifically until I can go for about an hour's walk. Has anyone had similar ablation and could reassure me please! 😊

[BobD Volunteer]

I will add two fact sheet we produce on preparing for and recovering from ablation which you will find helpful. General short form advice is TV remote only week one and week two gently expand like making tea very short walks etc.

healthunlocked.com/redirect...

healthunlocked.com/redirect...

[Buzby62]

I see Bob will add the links for you, natural to be worried but for some the flutter is only found after the AF ablation so they have to have another whole procedure. Doing the flutter ablation on the way out is relatively straightforward I believe, just think of it as two for one.

Have a look at Karendeena ’s posts over the last few months, I’m sure she and others will reply at some point.

Best wishes

[Jalia]

Yes, I've had this done. Nothing to get overly concerned about. The flutter ablation is performed on the right side and the AF one on the left side. The catheters have to pass through the right side to access the left so, to put it crudely, the flutter ablation will be done en route! Flutter ablation is considerably easier, and more successful than AF ablation.

I had my 5th ablation 6 weeks ago and I'm just weeks away from my 80th birthday . I had quite a few arrhythmias during the following 2 weeks but nothing major. I was your age when I had my first ablation.

You really must allow yourself to rest up , particularly the first week and then gradually a little more activity after that. Don't get over enthusiastic about returning to your full exercise routine too soon otherwise you will undo the good which has been done. Gradually get back to your walking routine. If you're fit anyhow it shouldn't take long.

Do read up the ablation fact sheets published by the AF Association. Lots of info there. I'm sure someone on here will come along and send you the link.

.

[wilsond]

Yes I had flutter and PAF. Flutter is much quicker and easier to fux,and also has a very high rate of success.

You will need to rest afterwards ,both as you will feel tired and also to let things settle down. No hardening,heavy lifting etcThe fact sheets Bob posted are excellent.

[Buffafly]

If they are still handing out the same discharge leaflet I got, it’s very misleading. It said I could return to normal activities in a few days but gave no examples of what that meant. What it actually means is that you should be able to look after yourself adequately in a few days, absolutely not that you should go back to your marathon training, mountain climbing or even lugging heavy supermarket bags about. Best wishes, hope it goes well!