Aa
5 box Thorascoscope maze done on me 9/17
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
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
Yes I've enjoyed NSR for over a year now and it's been great. Dr Sirak is the best. If you e-mail him he will respond. Just go to OhioAfib.com.
Good Luck
Pete
Good Luck
Pete
It appears that you had your surgery more than a year ago. Have you remained in NSR to date. I am having my third electrocardioversion in two weeks and I am interested in having the 5 box surgery if it comes back out again. The first electrocardioversion lasted 18 months the second 31 months. Hoping this last longer. I have persistent AF
Did you have your surgery on June 27 as planned? I just joined this forum today... I wish I had seen your post earlier. I was similar to you... 50 years old, persistent afib, fairly asymptomatic (just the typical exercise fatigue that we all get used to). I wanted a cure and went to Dr. Sirak for it. I had my five box surgery on May 17.
So to answer your question... I would never permanently decide to live in AF! Let us know how you are doing. I hope you are having as easy a recovery as Bob and myself.
Madge
So to answer your question... I would never permanently decide to live in AF! Let us know how you are doing. I hope you are having as easy a recovery as Bob and myself.
Madge
I enjoyed reading about your successful five-box surgery. Congratulations! In the five box yahoo group I heard about someone who was racing up and down the hallways right after surgery. I had to come here and check it out for myself!
How long had you had the defibrillator in you? Was it because your heart was in danger of stopping? If so, no wonder you are so happy! How long had you been in AF prior to surgery? How are you doing now that you are a couple of weeks out? (sorry for all the questions.. curious!)
I had the five-box surgery with Dr. Sirak as well, on May 17. I was walking the halls of Ross the next day, and was released on the 19th. On the 20th I walked all over downtown Columbus. I celebrated my week anniversary by going for a 10 mile bike ride. So it sounds like we were both quite lucky and handled the surgery very well.
I was diagnosed with persistent AF in June 2010. I believe that I had had AF since around 1999, starting with night palpitations, but never went to a doctor to see what the problem was. Once diagnosed, I did the typical rate control followed by cardioversion. I stayed in rhythm for almost 5 months. After I went back into AF, it was going to be antiarrythmics... I decided I wanted the AF to be cured and signed up with Sirak.
Nice to meet you all!
Madge
How long had you had the defibrillator in you? Was it because your heart was in danger of stopping? If so, no wonder you are so happy! How long had you been in AF prior to surgery? How are you doing now that you are a couple of weeks out? (sorry for all the questions.. curious!)
I had the five-box surgery with Dr. Sirak as well, on May 17. I was walking the halls of Ross the next day, and was released on the 19th. On the 20th I walked all over downtown Columbus. I celebrated my week anniversary by going for a 10 mile bike ride. So it sounds like we were both quite lucky and handled the surgery very well.
I was diagnosed with persistent AF in June 2010. I believe that I had had AF since around 1999, starting with night palpitations, but never went to a doctor to see what the problem was. Once diagnosed, I did the typical rate control followed by cardioversion. I stayed in rhythm for almost 5 months. After I went back into AF, it was going to be antiarrythmics... I decided I wanted the AF to be cured and signed up with Sirak.
Nice to meet you all!
Madge
Good for you....! I too am in the club of having a successful TTM procedure last November, 2010. Still in NSR, no meds, no blood thinner. Playing golf and tennis, plenty of energy and feeling good overall. Stay well.
Wayne O
Wayne O
Forgot to add. Dr. Sirak was not my surgeon, but I believe he gets similar success rates for his patients.
Mike
Mike
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