hi im Melissa im 26 and within the next 4-8 weeks I will be having an ablation to control my atrial flutter and atrial fibulation. im looking for advise really as im a nervous wreck and no one has really explained what happens and if i will feel anything. its my first op awake and i think this is the cause of my nerves all my other ops have been while i have been asleep. i am just really looking for reassurance that i wont feel any pain.
Best wishes for a successful outcome Melissa. I haven't undergone it myself but my cardiologist says it's not a painful event and should last between 2 to 3 hours or so. He also said it has a 95% positive outcome in many cases.
Hi Melissa,
i have had two ablations. The first one didn't work but the second one did and I'm Afib free! So remember, you still get a second chance even if it doesn't work. You're so young that I'll bet this one does the trick! As for feeling any pain, I live in the US and they put us totally out during the procedure. I do know this, having had another surgery where I've been awake....there will be an anesthesiologist in the OR room, constantly monitoring you. If you feel even the slightest thing, which is extremely doubtful, tell them and they can put you a little more under. You'll be so groggy, you won't feel anything! I felt nothing and they cut into me. Ablations are minimally invasive and done with catheters. Don't stress about this, you're just making it harder on yourself. Instead, focus on a positive outcome and being free of Afib. Best of luck to you. Carol
Hi Melissa,
Like you I want to get back to sinus Rythm as I am now in AF all the time - have been told an ablation is the best option but only has a 60% success rate in NZ. Will be keen to here how yours goes. I have had a SVT ablation which uses the same procedure and was done while I was awake and I spoke with the team during the op.. You have no worries as there is no pain - best to just relax and put your trust in the team ( a bit like flying) as they know what to do. Best Wishes for the procedure - Regards Derek from Christchurch NZ
well, I wish you all the best with it, I had it done on Tuesday and am taking things easy but already my heart rate has gone down from a normal 145 to around 72. Was it painful? it was VERY uncomfortable, like heart burn, only worse and I did have to ask for more pain killers. Was it worth it? yes, it was. It was about 2 hours setting up the operation and getting things ready and then about 30 minutes whilst they did it. I was at St Thomas and every one there was very friendly
Hi there Melissa.....
I was put on Flecanide while waiting for a Cathetar Ablation and found I didn't need the op. as I am now much better (still also taking Bisoprolol@Asprin). However, I did a bit if research while waiting and found Youtube very good for explaining exactly what would happen during the Ablation procedure. Link below. Good Luck!
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=catheter+ablation
Hi Melissa,
I had an ablation 10 weeks ago. I am in the final 2 weeks of the blanking period, healing phase from ablation.
There is nothing to worry about. I was under sedation not anesthesia and woke up feeling fine.
You will feel a little tired and need to take it easy for the first 5 days to let the puncture wounds heal from the catheter insertion points but even that wasn't a big deal.
Relax and think of the high possibility that your life will be changed by being back in Normal Sinus Rhythm.
Good Luck!!