5 box Thorascoscope maze done on me 9/17

[Pete0629]

Hi all, just letting you all know I had this procedure done last Friday at Ohio State University Ross Heart Hospital. Dr Sirak is one of the innovators of this minimal invasive procedure. To save time and learn more you can go Ohioafib.com.

The advantage of this procedure over a typical ablation is it is much more affective on my condition, persistant, afib. It is more thorough and has better longterm results.It is definatley not a walk in the park. It is more invasive than the popular cardiac ablation, but as I said more affective on my type of afib, from the research I have done.

I am going to answer as many questions as I can in order to help people that are considering the procedure.

From what I have understood the procedure is " in network" in my United Healthcare insurance network. But I haven't seen any bills yet so only time will tell.
The worst part of the surgery is , to me, the feeling, weakness, and psycotic feeling from the  anethstetic and pain killers, I hate em! I actually hallucinated on them and they lingered for days. I did talk to others that have had surgery and they didn't have the same reaction , so it may be just me. I had essentially 2 nurses taking care of me in my room, one for general house keeping and care and the other a cardiac nurse. Both were professional and caring to the max. I also, being a single guy, developed a crush on my nurse in the OR, but I'll save that story for my buddys.
I have 10 incisions on my body, under my arms across my chest and 2 drain holes below my ribs. Small ones 1/2 inch long. Another concern I had was the whole BM issue, but I can report this morning I'm happy in that area.
I am on several meds for the shorterm. Mainly, as Dr Sirak told me, my heart has burns on it for the moment and need to heal, there will probably be inconsistant reactions to the inflammation over the next few weeks, but eventually I'll be taken off most or all the meds.

I'm not out playing tennis again, yet, but that is in my sites.

Any more questions? I'll be home the rest of the week and happy to let you know my experience.

Pete

[FruitFirst]

I had my surgery August 1st 2012 I'm in NSR and came home August 6th at 9:30 PM.  I'm having some healing problems but will have my complete story in 30  days.

[FruitFirst]

I'm thinking about having the 5 box done just found out about it yesterday saw my Dr. he thought I should go for it.  

I want to talk to anyone that has had an adverse reaction from it.

[Pete0629]

I'm sorry to say the moderators at this site woun't let me send you an address to a forum that would help not only you but has helped many others. Thankfully they didn't catch the address for the Ohio State web site that we all belong to also. Just go there and they can direct you to the other site. There are many open minded people there that can and will support you.
good luck and as I said keep me informed.
Pete

[Pete0629]

There is a whole website, that you can join at ***@****. The people in this group have all had the 5box and we all keep tabs on how the other is doing. Dr Sirak also participates, yes that's right, the surgeon actually talks to us and offers solutions when appropriate.

Go to the group, you will find objective answers from the curator, Ken,great guy and support from everyone. See you there....
Pete

[neginf]

Thank you very much for writing back. I'll do what you suggest.
Do you know if any 5 box patients had previous ablations?

[Pete0629]

I understand your plight. I strongly urge you to go to ohioafib.com and follow directions to contact them. Dr. Sarak will call you. The site will also tell you what you need to know about the 5 box. Good luck and keep me informed. Pete