Date set. Typical recovery time from ablation procedure?

[tom_h]

My procedure is scheduled for November 16th.  This is right up against the US Thanksgiving holiday.  I was wondering how long does it take to recover well enough to go back to work, and to travel by car?

[tom_h]

I just spoke to the scheduler.  I'm going to be receiving general anesthesia.  I don't know what that means except I'm getting the BAM!, and that's fine with me!

[tom_h]

"....."Breath deep...."
BAM!
It's 3 in the afternoon. "

Yeah....that's what I want.  Plus, I get fidgetity laying in one position for a period of time.  I have to talk to the anesthesiologist a week prior to the procedure, so we'll talk about it then.  I also have severe sleep apnea, so we'll have to discuss that too.  I've been on CPAP for 3 years now; probably saved me from an early, nasty kind of demise.

[cindy707]

You were right on the mark w. that one littlegreenman....i should have been full out.....i did move not once but a couple of times and it caused a world of hurt for all of us...so i agree 100% with your doc...if i had to do it over again i would do it your way.......i loved that ending tho...breath deep..bam.......its 3:00.......ain't it the truth i had to laugh at that one...

[littlegreenman1]

Anethesia choice??? I was full out. My EP prefers it b/c in twilight the patient can move and then he has to re-position the catheter.  He said there's +/- to either way...

Regardless... I was not given options.
"Breath deep...."
BAM!
It's 3 in the afternoon.

[cindy707]

I think Tom it'll depend on the way you chose to go with...i chose to go with the twighlight med Versed because i honestly didn't want to know what the heck was going on and for them to just talk to me when it was over.  I know alot of members like being awake thru the whole thing but thats a whole nother breed of cat to me....i am one of those people that i don't want to know anything while they are doing it just talk to me after...i had some crazy issues during my ablation but it definately wasn't the norm and my recovery was still super fast and thank goodness successful.  I had alot of events pop up when they generated the "bad" spots and they were all handled...i had to have that "jolt" a couple of times among other things during mine so i chose well in not wanting to be aware of what was going on....all i knew was that after the procedure when i was wheeled back in my room in made my family go to Round Table Pizza and get me a pizza....i have no idea where that one came from because i am not a big pizza eater...all i know is i must have worked hard during that ablation because i don't think i shared that pizza!  With the Versed i didn't remember anything during the procedure at all and had a couple of days there after where i really had to stretch to remember what happened and what was said to me after....my friends and family had to fill me in....Versed is an amnesia type of med that doesn't effect the heart and the doc can do his/her work....i will say no thanks to your experience tho....sounds like your doc had to do a battle cry in the O.R, trust me tho now it is a no brainer type of procedure ............

[tom_h]

Thanks, I'll check.  Actually, I had a cardiac cath almost 40 years ago.  At the time, I was 20.  For that procedure, they went thru my right arm.  Talk about a long route!  Back then, there wasn't much they could do but a dye test and other simple measurements.  I had an SVT event on the table when the catheter inadvertantly touched the right spot on the heart wall.  All heck broke loose, as at that point I was leaking a lot of vital fluids.  They pulled the catheter, and I actually sat up on the table and squeezed and it stopped.  They had the paddles ready though, and were ready to give me a jolt.  This time, they're actually going to cause an event; something I'm not looking forward to.  I wonder how "with it" I'll be?

[cindy707]

Okay fellas you are outta luck cause for women its called a Brazillian ....too funny...the easiest way Tom for all of us is just bend your knee up towards your chest and right where the fold is....if you take a mirror you can actually see that main vein there and thats where they'll slide that catheter in thats about a little thicker than a human hair...after its a little tender and they put a couple of bandages on the spots and ice really helps the first couple of hours after.......................................

[tom_h]

Alrighty then, the crotch........  LOL!  I suffered that humiliation when going "unprepared" before my first hernia surgery, so I'll make sure I'm appropriately "dressed".

[littlegreenman1]

Depends on you and what you do... my ablation was 7 hrs.  I was wiped out for 2 days. OK for light duty on the third (normal Sunday). Went back to work (in a HUGE office complex - lots of walking) on Monday and crashed HARD. Tuesday, felt fine in the AM and CRASHED HARD again. Day 6.... almost made it the whole day.  Day 7 fine.

My advice - take a week off.  Even if you feel fine.

Where?  Mine were right @ the crotch and one in the chest. Right in the folds. Advice #2 - go in 100% manscaped.

[tom_h]

Thanks cindy and ireneo.  Yes cindy, I hope that is the case.  It's been a major part of my life for nearly 54 years.  It' not that I have it every day, but it's always looming.  With every trip, or every opportunity there's always the question of what would happen or where could I go if I need emergency care.

ireneo, my ablation will be for W-P-W form of SVT.

Question: I've been told that both sides of the groin will be utilized.  "Groin" for males can be a significant area!  Where exactly are we talking?  Can I determine the exact area by finding a pulse there?  I'm trying to determine if it's high or low in the groin area.  I've had inguinal hernia surgery performed twice and on both sides with mesh installed on my right.  I'd say that the surgical sites are up high, but I don't want the mesh to be disturbed.

[ireneo]

I've had 3 ablations done and was back to my daily routine in about 48 hours. There was tenderness in the groin and I wore boxers for a few days. The second ablation took 7 hours so it seemed to take me longer to get my energy back but I was still quite functional, not bed ridden. Just a bit slower for a week.

The timing sounds perfect for yours. What's your ablation for?

[cindy707]

I had mine done four years ago October 5th....i was off work for basically 72 hours and went back to work and the only thing i noticed was how much better i felt and that my energy level was back.  You may have some random runs as if the symtoms are going to come back and in most cases i don't think they do just that weird feeling.  I know that i went to my best friends in Hawaii within ten days of the procedure which is a six hour flight from California and it was fine....i pretty much went back to normal plus after those first 72 hours and went back to the gym within 2 weeks of the ablation and no issues.  Congrats on having the procedure done Tom.....you are about to get your life back......