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

[Pete0629]

Just a note to say hi to everyone and hope all is well. I am in my 23rd week of recovery and was taken off coumadin last weekend. I am no longer on ny meds for the afib I had. I am working out and having a great time.

I hope everyone is doing as well and hope to hear for you all.
Pete

[leika007]

Pete,

I let Dr. Sirak know weekly what and how I'm doing.  He keeps saying I'm on no restrictions.  I told him I wanted to ski a few weeks ago and his response was 'don't let me keep you from skiing'.  So, I'm off and running.  It's more the atrophy that's hard to get past and the reason I'm keeping my HR around 120 while working out rather than the usual 135 to 140.  With no stray beats so far...I'll take it!

Steve

[Mike2496]

Similar recovery after 5 weeks here too. Went off pain meds at three weeks. Back to work at four weeks with no problems. I, on the other hand, need to boost up my exercise program. Doctor says I may begin swimming again. Now to find the time....
Best to all,
Mike in Walnut Creek

[Pete0629]

Steve
Great news and was happy to help. You're recovery sounds like it has been on the rapid end of the scale. That's the type of recovery Dr Sirak wants everyone to experience I think. From my talking but mainly listening to a lot of others I would advise caution on pushing yourself this early however. Your heart is still healing and as Jack experienced you don't want to throw yourself back into afib. But that aside I'm happy as all get out you are doing so well Steve.

I am in the 5th day of wearing my monitor, it's a minor hassel but worth it. I send it back Saturday and hopefully all is well. I am also in a daily workout program now while in  almost my 18th week of recovery and I am using weights, cardio, pullups, yoga, plyometrics and situps. I am on a pretty high protein diet also. I haven't experienced one discomfort during all of this so far.

Hope all is well with everyone else.
Pete

[leika007]

It's unbelievable how well I feel only 5 weeks out from the 5-Box.  Sure my shirts still feel like sandpaper, especially with the hair growing back, but my heart isn't missing beats.  I walked 2 miles on Monday with part of it up a good sized hill and against a stiff breeze and did an elliptical workout for a half hour yesterday (kept HR at 120 for the work out).  I'll rest today but tomorrow I'll be back on the elliptical or a stationary bike (it's windy and cold here or I'd be outside on my road bike).  I've been skiing the last two weekends and have been working back up to the black slopes -- the kids want me back on the double blacks but I think my legs are now the issue ;-)

Pete - I can't thank you enough for pointing me to Dr. Sirak.  Not only is he a skilled, innovative surgeon but he's a decent human being and is easy to talk with.

I hope everybody is having success with your procedures as well.

Steve

[Pete0629]

Steve

Sounds like your pretty much experiencing what I did with the shirt on the chest thing. I found having someone very lightly rub my chest oddly enough felt good. But it does take time for the discomfort to go away. Sounds great that you are able to ski, man I was supposed to go but the trip to NYC with my daughter was more of a cost than I had anticipated. I don't need to tell you walking is a great way to recover quickly.

Glad to hear you're doing well.
Pete