1st ablation done! Total sofa rest now or gentle walking!?... Advice welcomed!! :))

[James_43]

Hi all!

Just had my first PVI ablation done on Friday under general anaesthetic. Apparently it went to plan!

What's the best thinking on the next couple of weeks? Complete sofa rest or some gentle walking, building up gradually? It's hard to find info on any sites as to exactly how much or how little to do! Your experience would be very valuable!! The hospital said to do as the body felt. I'm concerned about undoing any of their good work by being active too soon...

Thank you for all your posts here - especially to BobD, whose posts are a constant source of guidance!

Wishing you all well in your journeys!

Best

James

Very best to you all,

James

[CliveP]

I was determined to give mystlf the best chance of a successful outcome so I was very cautious after my ablaton.

Complete rest for the first week then just normal moving atound for another week. I then started some very, very slow walking with lots of recovery days in between. After a month or so I started walking at a normal pace but carefully so as not to raise my heart rate.

I continued like this until 3 months after the procedure when I started a careful return to running, again very gently at first.

I’m now almost exactly 2 years post ablation and it might just be good fortune but I have been completely AF free ever since. I continue to run regularly and have set a few pb’s since so my fitness is actually improved post op although I suspect slightly lower than it could have been. I’m running a half marathon on the 9th september, my second post op. I’m hoping for another pb then too!

There serms to be a deal of luck involved in peoples outcomes after an ablation so it might just be good fortune but I can’t help but think that my initial caution paid a part in my successful result.

[CliveP in reply to CliveP]

PS. My EP said I could carry on as normal post op. I ignored him!

[James_43 in reply to CliveP]

Hi Clive,

Thank you so much for your response! Great to hear that you're doing so well, that's wonderful! Thank you so much for your thoughts and experiences, this is really helpful to know. I will do as you say and take it very slowly.

It's interesting that a finer point is not made on this by the doctors at the hospital as it really seems to be a recurring theme, to take it slowly. I'm surprised that they don't stress that more given how intricate the procedure is. Why do you think that might be?

Huge congratulations on all your running and all the best for the upcoming one! I hope it goes really well!

Thank you again!

Best

James