Congratulations on your decision! I had an RF so have no input on the cyro for you I am just happy you made a decision and hope it all comes out well for you!

Sounds Great!!! I'm happy for you....and I have no ablation experience to share~

Good luck -- and keep us posted!

I had a cyro. last April 7. I was realllllllly cold in the recover room. I guess it went well. I now do not take any rate or rhythm control drugs now. But take a thyroid suppression drug, blood pressure, Lipitor, and Eliquis. My AFIB burden is now 13%, I suspect it will go down more, now that I'm on the thyroid suppression drug. If you want to know something more specific, ask.

Paul, thanks for replying, I have so many questions!

What was your afib burden before the surgery? After you went home, what was recovery like? You said it went well, but what exactly did the doctor say to you before and after surgery? Sorry if this is too many questions, just trying to get a handle on what I've gotten myself into.

I don't know exactly what my AFIB burden was before the surgery, since I didn't have a long term monitor to gauge it. My guess is that it was over 50%, I was in AFIB a lot!. The doctor said I did very well during the surgery, she was able to induce the AFIB and zap it. Latter in the procedure, she couldn't induce any more AFIB.

Recovery, I pretty much sat around for a week, then started walking first a block, then more. It took me over a month to get back to my usual 3 miles 3x/week. After about 6 weeks I was doing floor exercised in the house, and back in the gym for my usual 3 hour workout in about two months. For details, see my old thread starting around April 7. Don't forget two weeks after the procedure I had a major tooth/gum infection that screwed up my recovery a bit.

Cold in recovery ...they packed me in heated blankets to warm me up, they have a special oven just for that purpose. Guess this is common.

Don't worry, you are young, so things should be fine. Or...go have a joint anxiety attack with Travis -g- Two young guys who are worry warts. Hey, this is coming from the guy who got married just before the procedure so the state of NJ wouldn't capture his money if he died on the table. Also, same guy who got a haircut before the procedure, since the funeral homes charge too much for a haircut after death. Tennessee estate tax doesn't apply to you unless you have more than $5 million (NJ starts at dollar zero - 16%), so just make sure you get a haircut and you're good to go!

All kidding aside, this procedure is relatively safe, and has a good chance of success. It's natural to be concerned.

I had a cryo 15 months ago. I had some discomfort for a couple days afterward. I had the procedure on Tuesday, came home on Wednesday, was out running errands on Friday. I went back to exercising a week after the procedure. I didn't go at my usual pace but did within a week or two.

I'm in my 70's and retired so didn't have to worry about returning to work. I'm on the same meds as before the procedure (blood pressure, thyroid and cholesterol).

I had occasional PVC's until six months after and my EP said that was normal. My recovery was so easy that I almost called him to check that something was really done.

I wouldn't hesitate to have another if it's needed.

Chubster

Thanks for the insights. I'm not really worried, I'm excited and looking forward to it more than anything. I just like to have an idea what to expect going into it.

My recovery might have been a bit longer because I had had a stroke three month previously.

Now, (about 9 months post ablation), my heart is really steady, and the PAC's have been reduced markedly.