How Long Does it Take to Recover from an Ablation?

Hi,

I have a dual-lead pacemaker and was told I'd be back to work in a week. I quickly learned that no one in the surgeon's office has one, because a week would've been crazy. So, I'm asking those of you who've had an ablation, what is a realistic recovery time? The doctor's office is telling me I can be back to work in three days. I have Tachy/Brady (Sick Sinus Syndrome), so I'm having an ablation to fix the "tachy" part. I teach and need to be on my feet most of the day. Would appreciate a recovery time from some real people who've actually had one.

3 Comments

Recovery is immediate

by IAN MC - 2015-07-29 06:07:06

I have only had one ablation, some people on here have had several. I could have happily worked the next day .

You need to lie fairly still for a few hours immediately after the ablation , next day anything goes . I think I went for a run on Day 1 .

Providing that you have no problems at the catheter entry point ( usually in the groin ) I believe that the only limiting factor is your recovery from the anaesthetic .

Hope it goes well

Ian

2 weeks at least!

by Pinkshirlz - 2015-07-30 11:07:04

I was shocked to hear i could go back to work a week after my surgery! in all honesty, I dont know how i have managed to work this past week. its been all kinds of hard. Ive had bad dizzy spells and shoulder/back pain, sleepless nights, nausea, headaches the works. I guess the doctors feel a week is enough but i think the person should inform the doctor when they feel better. by all means dont take advantage and ask for a month off or more, i mean something realistic like 2 weeks would be ideal. I have daydreams this week about crawling back to bed to rest my aching parts and get real rest to recover.

best of luck, take it easy

Every one is different

by Monarch - 2015-07-31 12:07:45

I have had two ablations. One simple, and one complicated. Each time it took at least 10 days for the initial discomfort and extreme fatigue to dissipate and I can honestly say it took a good three weeks to start feeling more myself and resuming activities to their fullest.
What I learned is that my Cardiologist provides me with a sick note for one week. Then I go to my Family Physician who knows me well and receive a second sick leave note for the additional time that I needed.
After my first ablation I went back to work after two weeks but only for two hours a day, and that gradually increased.
After my second ablation I went back to work after three weeks and again started back at two hours a day and that worked well for me.
Good luck

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