Anon - Your medical team should have discussed this with you as when you can return to work is highly dependent on the type of work you do. If you haven't done so yet, I would advise talking with your doctor about this. In the meantime, here's some general information.
After surgical ablation:
* The patient is usually transferred to an intensive care unit (ICU) for close monitoring for about one to two days after the surgery. When the patient's condition is stable, he or she is transferred to a regular nursing unit (called a telemetry unit).
* The monitoring during recovery includes heart, blood pressure, and blood oxygen monitoring and frequent checks of vital signs and other parameters, such as heart sounds.
* Most patients stay in the hospital about 5 to 7 days after the procedure, depending on their rate of recovery. Patients who had minimally invasive surgery may be able to go home 2 to 3 days after surgery. Your health care team will follow your progress and help you recover as quickly as possible.
* Full recovery from surgery takes about 6 to 8 weeks. Most patients are able to drive in about 3 to 8 weeks after surgery. Your health care team will provide specific guidelines for your recovery and return to work, including specific instructions on activity, incision care, and general health after the surgery.
* Many patients may experience skipped heartbeats or short episodes of atrial fibrillation during the first three months after the procedure. This is common due to inflammation (swelling) of the heart tissue and is treated with medications. After the heart has healed, these abnormal heartbeats should subside.
* A small number of patients require a pacemaker after surgery due to an underlying abnormal rhythm which previously was undetected.
Full article from MedicineNet at: http://www.medicinenet.com/ablation_therapy_for_arrhythmias/page4.htm
Comment Reply
Anon - Your medical team should have discussed this with you as when you can return to work is highly dependent on the type of work you do. If you haven't done so yet, I would advise talking with your doctor about this. In the meantime, here's some general information.
After surgical ablation:
* The patient is usually transferred to an intensive care unit (ICU) for close monitoring for about one to two days after the surgery. When the patient's condition is stable, he or she is transferred to a regular nursing unit (called a telemetry unit).
* The monitoring during recovery includes heart, blood pressure, and blood oxygen monitoring and frequent checks of vital signs and other parameters, such as heart sounds.
* Most patients stay in the hospital about 5 to 7 days after the procedure, depending on their rate of recovery. Patients who had minimally invasive surgery may be able to go home 2 to 3 days after surgery. Your health care team will follow your progress and help you recover as quickly as possible.
* Full recovery from surgery takes about 6 to 8 weeks. Most patients are able to drive in about 3 to 8 weeks after surgery. Your health care team will provide specific guidelines for your recovery and return to work, including specific instructions on activity, incision care, and general health after the surgery.
* Many patients may experience skipped heartbeats or short episodes of atrial fibrillation during the first three months after the procedure. This is common due to inflammation (swelling) of the heart tissue and is treated with medications. After the heart has healed, these abnormal heartbeats should subside.
* A small number of patients require a pacemaker after surgery due to an underlying abnormal rhythm which previously was undetected.
Full article from MedicineNet at: http://www.medicinenet.com/ablation_therapy_for_arrhythmias/page4.htm
July 8, 2010 - 5:43pmThis Comment
Reply