Catheter Ablation - questions

Thanks to reading all posts on this forum, I have gathered a lot of knowledge and opinion of the catheter ablation surgery.
I am currently awaiting an appointment for my catheter ablation, but have a couple of simple questions if anyone could help me.
Firstly, has everyone been advised as to how long to take off of work before they have their operation, or is it left up to you to see how you feel afterwards? I have a very physical job, and just wondered about guidelines for time off?
Also, I have read all about having to lay flat after the procedure, but what happens if you want to visit the toilet afterwards? Is there a urine catheter in place or hasn't anyone felt the need to go? I know it's a simple question, but just curious! I have visions of needing the toilet and not being able to get up and go!
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.

[ksig]

Hi, Deancourtgirl
I work right up to the ablations, each one of them.  I had the ablations (4 of them) on Wednesdays an returned to work on Monday.  As far as laying flat, you are right.  You are absolutely flat for at least 6 hrs.  I had a catheter so I did have to worry about going to the bathroom.  On 2 of the ablations, I spent the night.  The other 2, I was released in the mid to late afternoon and went home.
Good luck to you.  I felt the ablations were well worth the trouble to have them.
ksig

[deancourtgirl]

Thank you ksig, I appreciate your help.
After 20 years of SVT, I know the ablation procedure is the way to go. Too many failed medicines and too long a wait for this op! I am not worried about having the procedure, but needing the toilet was the only thing crossing my mind!
I hope after your 4 ablations, you are now in a better place with your health.
Thanks again.

[tom_h]

Like ksig, I had mine done on a Wednesday and returned to work on Monday. By Thursday I was driving 250 miles to our family for Thanksgiving.  I'd say that a full week will be required until you feel near 100%.  I remember limping around for about 2 weeks at the puncture site was pretty tender for a while.

I was under general anesthesia, and awoke in the recovery room close to 1:45PM.  I was dressed, waiting for paperwork, and left the hospital at 5:15. So unless I the recovery room counts for the "lay flat" period, my flat time was considerably less.

Because I was under a general, I awoke to find that a very large hose had been "installed" when I wasn't looking.  This was a first for me.  It presented only a little discomfort while it was in place.  The removal was interesting, and it felt like a garden host was being pulled out.  Only a little pain though.  People on here who've had it done while awake report no Foley was used.  The worse pain for the entire procedure was the first urination when I got home.  Man!...that felt like a hot soldering iron was place right on the tip!!  It continued to burn for about 2 days, but not as bad.

If you've got ay other questions, I'd be happy to answer them!

[merileegal]

I just had anablation earlier this week  and am still recuperating. The amount of time you need off I think depends on what type of ablation you're having and how  many burns you have to have. You're doctor should have some guidelines for you. I've seen people on this site go anywhere from 5 days to several weeks.

I had a very bad experience with bathroom issues. If I had to do it over again, I would have a catheter in place as soon as I got back to the recovery room. I have a small bladder and even though I emptied everything I could before the ablation I was ready for the bathroom an hour after the procedure. I've written about it in my post ablation  journal.

Good luck.

[Jannie411]

Although I am currently unemployed, I felt well enough that I think I would have been allowed to go to work the week after my ablation.  

I wasn't allowed to have any water or other beverages after midnight the day of the ablation, except for a few small sips of water to take with medications.  I visited the restroom twice at the hospital before the ablation as I didn't know how long the ablation would take and when I would be allowed to get up again.  My EP didn't think a catheter was necessary, which was fine with me because I didn't want one anyway.  Luckily I was able to hold on until they let me get up at 2 pm.  I was kind of dehydrated and even though I drank two glasses of water with lunch after the ablation was over, I didn't have any pressing need to urinate.  Guess I was lucky.

In my case, the ablation took less time than I thought it would.  Arrived at the hospital around 6:15 am, ablation started between 8 and 8:30 am, and I was in recovery by 11:30 am.  Had to lie flat until 2:00 pm, then they let me get up, sit in a chair first, then restroom visit, and was allowed to go home at 3:00 pm.  

Good luck and I wish you a successful ablation!

[Janpes]

Pee beforehand if you can, I didn't and with all the pressing he was doing I was wishing I did. Finally after the ablation I was able to pee, but then couldn't go as I had a male nurse pressing on my puncture site. In the end another male nurse bought me a bed pan and my god it was the best pee ever that I have experienced.
I was awake during the procedure but had to stay overnight as the journey home was quite a long one.
Took me about 2½ weeks to feel even normal as I had some issues with my blood pressure bombing out...down to 85/53 if I remember correctly. Had lots of jumps and paps since then but right now I am free of everything for a while (KOP KOP)

Good luck with your ablation and here's to a SVT free life (cheers)

[deancourtgirl]

I was worried that I was the only person to have a issue about peeing!!!  I go a lot, so know it could possiby be an issue for me. I'm hoping the fasting beforehand will help!
Thank you all for your honesty, and Tom, I'm glad I'm a woman judging by your experience!
I'm really glad I found this forum . It's very informative and listening to real experiences is worth a hundred times more than textbook talk. I'm in England, and it's interesting that from all over the world, our experiences are the same.
Being well informed has taken away any doubts that I had about having ablation. I will just see how I go after the op as my job involves being on my feet for 9 hours a day, lots of lifting, hammering, drilling and pushing heavy trolleys around, so I just want to be sure not to over do it, although I'd like to back to work as soon as possible. I'm not used to doing nothing!
Thank you all for sharing your experiences.