WPW... heart ablation fears!!

[AmyAmy1]

Hi just wondering if anyone out there had had a heart ablation... I am due for my pre op tomorrow and due surgery on the 10th.. I have WPW syndrome,

I’m so scared the surgery is going to go wrong and have been scaring myself looking at possible things that could go wrong and mortality rates!

Also I’ll be awake during the procedure and can take up to 6 hours how will I lie there that long not moving???

Any help would be appreciated

Thank you

[Ads568]

Hi AmyAmy1,

My advice would be to speak to the medical staff and tell them how you’re feeling. I was awake during one and more heavily sedated during another. The light sedation just allows you to drift a bit.

In my case they explained things as they went along & checked I was ok. I was able to ask questions (when awake!) etc.

Try not to worry, but tell them how you’re feeling. I’m sure they’ll do their best to help you through.

Best wishes,

[AmyAmy1 in reply to Ads568]

Thank you so much for your reply, I will speak with them thank you

[LMFlorentina]

Hi there!

Firstly, it's perfectly normal to be apprehensive so don't be worried that you're worried! Just make sure you communicate how you're feeling to the medical professionals you come into contact with - in my experience, they usually ask how you're feeling before the procedure so just be really honest with them and they'll try to make you as comfortable as possible.

I've had two ablations done (for WPW), and although it's quite an unusual experience, everything is done in a very controlled environment. There will be someone checking all your stats throughout the procedure and everything is done very carefully and slowly. My first procedure (without sedation) was 4 and a half hours, and didn't feel that long at all. The second (with sedation) was about 2 hours and the consultant told me that was about the average time it takes - not sure if that's true or not, but it's what I was told!

Try not to look at the things that can go wrong. The consultant will go through the risks with you on the day, but they are very small. My WPW symptoms were getting very debilitating so I decided I had to go for it. I was delighted with the end result.

I was told before my first operation that an ablation is just like heartburn, which is apt as they are actually burning the heart - and it's true!

If you've got any other questions, just let me know!

Hope it all goes well for you

[AmyAmy1 in reply to LMFlorentina]

Thank you so much for your kind and reassuring words, I’m off to see them today for my pre assessment just nice to hear from someone who’s been through it so thank you

[Goldfish7]

I've had 2 - they really aren't as bad as you expect. I had sedation and pain relief and was only aware of what was going on when they needed me to be to get responses. I'm guessing they give you something to stop you moving around sneezing or twitching because I cant remember any movement at all and they had me lying on a tiny narrow operation table which under normal circumstances I would have been wriggling to get comfortable on and probably fallen off within 5mins.

The operation takes hours but you will not be aware of it, before you know it its over and your flat on your back for a couple of hours whilst the hole in your groin settles and stops leaking, All operations have some risks but if you have a good ablation team I would expect that serious risks are kept to a tiny number of patients who may have a number of other aggravating factors. You will kick yourself about how worried you have been once you have got through it. Do let the team know how worried you are as they will be able to offer assurances and make sure you are well sedated.

[AmyAmy1]

Thank you so much for your kind and reassuring words. I appreciate it