Posted by Jack Drum on May 09, 2001 at 01:42:05:
Neil since I had the Maze at the age of 64 I have never been in AF. Of course it took me some time to get over the surgery, but it wasn't as bad as I had expected. The only real problem I have had from the surgery is the sternum where they open your chest up. The wires they use to hold your sternum together until it mends, (3 months for full strength), kept my chest sore. I put up with some soreness for 2 years and finally had the wires removed, and that solved the soreness problem. The wire removal is normally done as a out patient, but I ended up having to stay overnight.
It is just so great to have a life back, even at 67, and to be free of AF and of all the medications that goes with AF.
I know nothing personally of the Australia surgeon that does the Maze, but the one that did mine was not one of the well known surgeons that specialize in the Maze. My surgeon had done about 35 prior to mine, and he did a excellent job. From all that I have read from the other alumnus, my surgery, recovery, and cure was better than most, and as good as any
Best wishes and prayers.
Jack Drum