Posted by Ed Wehan on May 03, 2001 at 14:42:58:
In Reply to: MAZE complications posted by Angie on May 03, 2001 at 14:28:58:
Hi Angie, it is so interesting to read everybody's posts and it was really fun to hear about the twins. I think I was at Cleveland just before them (January 10th)as I heard that there was such a surgery coming up.
The best thing that you are doing is asking all of these fine people for more information. Prior to my surgery, I think I memorized this board. I would agree with those who say that the decision to have the maze is very much a quality of life decision. If you are active and want to continue to be, then the maze can make sense. It did for me and I thank my lucky stars that this procedure was discovered by Dr. Cox. As others have indicated, the most difficult part for me was pre-surgery. Thinking about what was to happen was difficult and I spent quite a bit of energy dealing with these fears.
I am now coming up on 12 weeks and feel great. I never really felt poorly after the surgery although my energy levels were low. I was out of the hospital in four days and back on the West Coast from Cleveland in six. I was jogging a little at five weeks and quite a bit at eight. I was off all drugs at eight weeks.
I did have my ups and downs after surgery as the recovery process is not always that smooth. I had atrial flutter for awhile which went away in my 7th week.
I did post something on this site about six or so weeks ago about the number of maze patients who develop AFib after surgery. I think that this number is higher than most of the research shows but normally after a period of time and as the heart begins to scar, the AFib goes away.
At 12 weeks, my life feels pretty normal. I have a glass of beer in the evening and a cup of coffee in the morning. I am in a three mile race tomorrow evening and a 10 miler in early May. How could life be better!!!!
Best of luck to you.