Has anyone has Ablation?

[Jules209]

Hello All, I am scheduled to have an ablation soon for SVT. Has anyone had one and if so, what should I expect; during and after the procedure. I am scared to death but I also am not willing to keep going through episodes of fast heart beats. I am scared of the risks that involve ablation although my dr has reassured me the risks are very low. Anyone that has ever had one please feel free to comment. Thanks.

[Jules209]

Hello and Thank you all for your responses they were all so helpful. I am just a big chicken, lol. honestly I just can't wait to have the ablation done. I will  let you know how everything turns out. Please say a prayer for me. Thanx!

[Jules209]

Thank you very much for your response. I am looking forward to having the procedure done as I am so tired of living with SVT. My problem has been going on for 15 yrs and just recently the medicine is not working. I will read further as you suggested. Once again thank you! Glad your doing well :)

[MaryLL]

Just a note. Was feeling hopeful to see that you had 3 ablations. Would you mind sending me a message on how you're doing now?
I've had 3, last one 2 months ago. Would love to communicate with you.
thank you,
MaryLL

[MichelleP_3811]

The anticipation is the worst part.  I was actually totally awake for mine and besides for a bit of pain when they actually ablated it was not at all a big deal and I have had 2 full on abdominal surgeries in the past.  If you want to read about my ablation you can click my name and read my journal entry.  I was quite pleasantly surprised how easy it is for the patient at least for most people it is and for most people it is a pretty sure cure.  There are exceptions but there are good statistics for cure and very low complication rates.  Best of luck and do let us know how it went.  I send good thoughts your way that you have a very successful ablation.  Take care.

[ireneo]

I've had 3 ablations because of multiple types of arrhythmias in my heart. But I did not have general anesthesia. I had what is called conscious sedation. I don't know why it's called "conscious" because I wasn't really aware. At first I felt like I was just floating and daydreaming. I heard bits and pieces of what was going on but it felt more like I was listening to a TV program. After the procedure I remembered very little at all. I woke up in the hospital room and had to lie flat for several hours.

The tiny incisions in my groin were bruised and tender for several days but not unbearable. I wore boxer shorts (not the norm for a woman) because they were comfortable. I felt a bit tired for a couple of days, wasn't allowed to lift anything over 5 lbs. but went back to work in a couple of days.

Like you, I was scared to death. But my worry and imagination were way worse than the actual procedure. When I had to go back for the 2nd and 3rd time, I didn't really care. I didn't like the IV they put in but that was the worst part for me. The rest was pretty easy once I knew what to expect.

I do hope your ablation goes smoothly and works well for you. I still have arrhythmia problems but they are so much better than they were before so I'm quite happy with that.

[Mommy2TnL]

I had an ablation a little less than 2 weeks ago.  I was nervous because I had never had surgery before.  Like Tom_h, I also had general anesthesia, so I don't actually remember the procedure.  Mine was unsuccessful due to my problem being Junctional Tachycardia and not just SVT.  Recovery was pretty easy.  You'll be tired for a few days after the ablation, so prepare to rest.  The entry points were very small.  They went in through 3 points on me....2 in my groin area, and the 3rd up by my clavicle and shoulder.  I was surprised that I experienced no pain afterwards.  I was sore, but no actual pain.

Good luck with your procedure!!!  I hope it goes as smoothly as mine did, but successful too  :)

[tom_h]

Hi Jules.  There are many of us on here that have undergone the procedure.  It personally freed me of 54 years of SVT.  I hade general Anesthesia with mine, and was conscious only up to getting onto the table.  Here's what I want you to do:
Look up forum member Jannie411 and check her journals.  She was fully conscious for the entire procedure and does a great job of describing the procedure in detail.  If you have any questions, I or a member of the forum can answer them for you.