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
Well everybody I have told you guys about the positive side of the procedure so far, I week today. Let me tell you about whats been going on the last couple of days.
I am feeling up and down physically. Yesterday I woke up feeling great, for about 1/2 hr. I then felt kinda weak so I sat down. I continued to sit for the next 7 hours. Weak, dizzy and generally felt pretty crappy. In the afternoon my heart jumped up to 108 bpm and has stayed there to this minute. My face is ashn and I am foggy headed.
I'm hoping for an improvement later since my daughter will be home from school later today.
UGH!!
Pete
I am feeling up and down physically. Yesterday I woke up feeling great, for about 1/2 hr. I then felt kinda weak so I sat down. I continued to sit for the next 7 hours. Weak, dizzy and generally felt pretty crappy. In the afternoon my heart jumped up to 108 bpm and has stayed there to this minute. My face is ashn and I am foggy headed.
I'm hoping for an improvement later since my daughter will be home from school later today.
UGH!!
Pete
Hi Pete,
Have you contacted Dr. Sirak or his office to see if what you are experiencing is a normal part of recovery? I think it's worth a phone call just to be sure.
Unfortunately you are a long way from your doctor, so I'm sure you want to catch any potential problem early.
And maybe it's all to be expected, considering everything you went through! But no matter what's wrong with me, I always feel a little better once I hear that my symptoms (whatever they are!) are normal.
Annie
Have you contacted Dr. Sirak or his office to see if what you are experiencing is a normal part of recovery? I think it's worth a phone call just to be sure.
Unfortunately you are a long way from your doctor, so I'm sure you want to catch any potential problem early.
And maybe it's all to be expected, considering everything you went through! But no matter what's wrong with me, I always feel a little better once I hear that my symptoms (whatever they are!) are normal.
Annie
Hi Annie
Yes I have been in touch with Dr Sirak. He has changed my rythum med to see about getting my heart back to NSR, so far it hasn't worked.
It's 6:52am and I'm feeling a little better so far. Although I'm back in afib the tighness in my chest( apracarditis) I believe is what it's called, isn't as harsh as it was yesterday, so far.
Yes I have been in touch with Dr Sirak. He has changed my rythum med to see about getting my heart back to NSR, so far it hasn't worked.
It's 6:52am and I'm feeling a little better so far. Although I'm back in afib the tighness in my chest( apracarditis) I believe is what it's called, isn't as harsh as it was yesterday, so far.
Hi Pete,
I am so sorry to hear that you are back in afib. I'm sure you must be very upset and disappointed.
Did Dr. Sirak say that this can be expected after the procedure? Because I've read so many postings on this site from people who have had catheter ablations for afib and apparently it is quite common to still have episodes of afib after that procecure. I guess the heart is just so irritated and swollen that it needs time to heal before everything calms down. I've read several postings from people who needed stronger meds or even a cardioversion to set things straight after the ablation. Hopefully your heart will stop being so stubborn and will settle down for you soon!
I'm sure you're also disappointed to be feeling poorly when your daughter is home from school, but this gives her the chance to take care of dear old dad! I'm sure she won't mind and will be glad she is there for you. It will be nice to have someone with you....it's always worse to stew about these things by ourselves! Try to have a nice visit and hopefully it will take your mind off of your stubborn heart!
Annie
I am so sorry to hear that you are back in afib. I'm sure you must be very upset and disappointed.
Did Dr. Sirak say that this can be expected after the procedure? Because I've read so many postings on this site from people who have had catheter ablations for afib and apparently it is quite common to still have episodes of afib after that procecure. I guess the heart is just so irritated and swollen that it needs time to heal before everything calms down. I've read several postings from people who needed stronger meds or even a cardioversion to set things straight after the ablation. Hopefully your heart will stop being so stubborn and will settle down for you soon!
I'm sure you're also disappointed to be feeling poorly when your daughter is home from school, but this gives her the chance to take care of dear old dad! I'm sure she won't mind and will be glad she is there for you. It will be nice to have someone with you....it's always worse to stew about these things by ourselves! Try to have a nice visit and hopefully it will take your mind off of your stubborn heart!
Annie
Hey there, Pete. I can just about say I know how you feel! Had mine Wed morn and juast got oyut of the hospital 2 hrs ago. Have had major shortness of breath and was given lassix. Had chest tightness but today, the 4th day, getting a little better. I've only had 12 hrs of NSR so far but I'm like you...wish it were 2 wks from now. Sounds like we're experiencing a lot of the same. The worst for me is not feeling like I can take good breaths. Just wanted to say, Pete, I'm right there with ya!
Hey there,
Well I think you are progressing faster/better than me. I'm still out of rythum at 108 bpm. Been out for about 4-5 days now. I'm finally starting to feel better just from the fact of the chest tightness has subsided some, not completely but some. I'm really back where I was before all this sh-- happened, except my rythum is actually faster than it was before.
Hope you continue on the road to better health Linda.
Pete
Well I think you are progressing faster/better than me. I'm still out of rythum at 108 bpm. Been out for about 4-5 days now. I'm finally starting to feel better just from the fact of the chest tightness has subsided some, not completely but some. I'm really back where I was before all this sh-- happened, except my rythum is actually faster than it was before.
Hope you continue on the road to better health Linda.
Pete
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