Hope everything went well! Keep us posted.

Thinking of you with good thoughts!

I'm home! I've been ablated! Feel good! My deepest Thank You to the very kind staff at Sequoia Hospital in Redwood City, for making me feel so at ease and so well cared for. The procedure was ALMOST uneventful; it turns out that my esophagal opening is very small, so they could not get the device down to check for clotting in my heart. Dr. Woods, who has never considered me to be a stroke risk, went ahead with the procedure. He showed me the images afterward of the work he had done, and I was stunned at how much ablating was done. He said I required about the normal amount. He was very pleased with the procedure, and said his estimation was that I had an 80% chance to not need a second procedure. He also said, "If you get 5 good years out of this ablation, that's a success." I'd obviously like to here a 20 year number, but I'll take what I can get. Funny thing about getting put out: you feel the anesthesia start to hit, and then you feel like you're waking up about 17 minutes later. For some of you who might be putting off the procedure, please don't. They really have this done to an art with the current technology, and if a complete coward like me can summon the courage to do it, you can too! Again, the kind words & prayers from this marvelous support group has meant the world to me; I can't thank you enough for your encouragement and kindness. I consider all of you to be good friends. Much Love, Dave

Dave: Congrats! Love to hear stories like this. Did you know that a "small esophagus" can be caused by GERD and that GERD can also cause atrial fibrillation? The esophagus is very close to the left atrium. Also, GERD and a small esophagus are associated with sleep apnea and sleep apnea is present in 59% of those with atrial fibrillation? Since you are so young, this might be worth pursuing. A large percentage of those with things like a hiatal hernia aren't even aware they have it? Have you ever had GERD? Read this:

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/759995_5

Taking care of things like this can make an ablation much more durable. A gastroenterologist can tell you if your esophagus is smaller from scarring from GERD. Sounds worth checking out. If you can find out the cause and treat it, you will be miles ahead of the rest of us who have no idea. petey

I meant 50%

Petey! Strange as it may sound, I think I was born with this particular anomaly. I was the kid who was too often getting food stuck in my throat, and it continues to this day. I have to REALLY chew my food, and even then, I get into trouble. When I was a teenager, my friends would gobble done their burrito in 5 minutes, and I'd still be chewing 15 minutes later. But I'll investigate the GERD possibility, and I thank you for the info! Best, Dave

Yay!!!!!!!!! I'll celebrate....you rest :-)

Dave, I am so happy to hear that all went well and you are home. I had mine this morning and I am feeling surprisingly fine. Home tomorrow for me. Your posts REALLY helped me get through this in good spirits. Many thanks!

Mike in NC

Dave, what is you post-ablation treatment plan? Were protonix or ibuprofen recommended? I'm post op day 8. Been in and out of afib last two days, but my EP doc says not to be concerned. Blanking period for him is 4 months. Hopefully we're one and done!

Sean! I think I've been relatively afib free, with only some skipped beats here and there. I will continue the Diltiazem & Omeprezole. Dr. says to expect some afib while scarring occurs; he also said, "But if you don't mind it, then I'm happy to do nothing (no new meds)." I do put on a heart monitor every day, take a sample size, and send that in to a monitoring center. Dave

NSR forever!

Great to hear good news! All the best in your recovery!

Greatt news dave. Good luck my friend

Glad it went well for you ! Happy NSR!