Posted by Carl Plaskett on February 10, 2002 at 18:16:09:
In Reply to: Re: Maze drugs or ablation? posted by steve giddings on February 10, 2002 at 14:49:54:
Tim: Aside from Steve being more of an exercise "freak" than I was, our histories were about identical. The "lifestyle" issues were very big for us. We (or at least I) didn't have to worry about some agency keeping us from working like you with the FAA.
It seems to me that should (emphasis on "should") you be fortunate enough to have a rapid recovery such as Ed, Claude, Steve, others, and myself, who returned to the office on day 11 post-maze (for parttime computer work-which turned into computer work at home for a few more weeks, with usually a daily visit to the office until I could drive at 6 weeks), that you would be able to demonstrate your ability to pass their physical perhaps much earlier than 6 months with a stress treadmill, etc. I would question them as to how they arrived at "6 months" as the time you must be off work. Is it based upon CURRENT data re: the maze or ablations, or is it based upon open heart surgeries in general? I would guess that it's "policy" based upon some vague idea of how long recovery takes for some people. Your exercise background should help you recover rapidly, assuming whatever procedure you go for is quickly successful.
Of course, being an airline pilot puts you in an unusual position, liability for your employer, etc. Still, if you continue to take the meds Steve and I went through, I KNOW I would have been uneasy thinking anyone was piloting a plane the way I felt for the last couple of years of drug "therapy".
If you have to educate some of these people as to the advances in medical procedures/recovery, I'm sure Ed, Steve, myself, and others could get our doctors to write in support of maze recovery and abilities of maze (or ablation) patients to return to REALLY strenuous activities prior to the arbitrary "6 months" you say the FAA requires.
Take Steve up on his offer. He has a wealth of experience. I am sure I speak for others as well as myself in offering to answer any questions by phone. Just give us (me) a number by email!
Good luck with this difficult decision.