Posted by Ed Wehan on August 01, 2001 at 09:54:36:
In Reply to: Chronic Lone Atrial Fibrillation and the MAZE Rate of Success posted by Osman M. Nasar on August 01, 2001 at 04:23:46:
Your questions were very similar to mine prior to surgery although I also asked what he thought my mortality risk was. (.2%). As you read the many postings on this board, you will find one of my more recent ones on my six month follow-up. I had my maze on January 10th at Cleveland. I was out of the hospital in four days and back on the West Coast in six. I had chronic lone AFib as you do although I am pretty lean and, therefore, had the minimal chest procedure. I was able to start jogging slowly at about one month and ran my first race at just over four months and a much longer one at six months. Having this surgery was one of the best decisions I've ever made.
You should know, I think, that the heart gets pretty battered during surgery and, therefore, AFib is very possible after surgery. I think it is more common than statistics indicate but as the heart heals around six weeks, the AFib goes away. Be prepared for this.
I stayed at the Clinic Guesthouse while there and found it just fine. Visit the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and I am sure Rob will post all of the other more cultural sites to hit.
I was scared going into surgery but this is just normal. Right now, it's as if I've almost forgotten what AFib was like. Best of luck.