topic Re: WATCHMAN PROCEDURE in Wellness

WATCHMAN PROCEDURE

Terrywu — Wed, 14 May 2025 15:50:40 GMT

My husband and I have an appointment with a cardiologist tomorrow. She has previously mentioned a Watchman procedure to us since he was recently diagnosed with Afib. He is having an awful time on the blood thinners and we're considering the procedure. Any one have or know anyone who has had it done?

Good or bad.

Thank you.

Re: WATCHMAN PROCEDURE

deepwaterdotter — Wed, 14 May 2025 16:08:08 GMT

My husband underwent this procedure 2 years ago. His body also did not tolerate Eliquis. He spent the night after the procdure in the hospital for what the cardiologist termed "observation".

The Watchman has been an effective and comfortable solution for his blood thinner issues.

The surgeon performed 8 Watchman procedures the day of my husband's surgery. They all were kept overnight for observation in a dedicated section of the cardiac floor of the hospital.

Re: WATCHMAN PROCEDURE

JudyL — Wed, 14 May 2025 16:47:22 GMT

My brother had this procedure in April and he is doing great. It was a same-day procedure and he did have some restrictions re lifting for a while but other than that he feels fine.

Re: WATCHMAN PROCEDURE

I am still oxox — Wed, 14 May 2025 16:55:29 GMT

I was told by an afib specilaist that if you have had afib for a long time the procedure might not be effective

Re: WATCHMAN PROCEDURE

lynnie61 — Wed, 14 May 2025 17:26:45 GMT

@Terrywu

My father had it two years ago. He did have to lay flat, I believe 8-10 hours. He stayed overnight for observation. He was 85 at the time. No complications and he no longer has to take Eliquis. He is glad he had it done. He did have afib a long time. I don't know if that was a factor.

Re: WATCHMAN PROCEDURE

mrshckynut — Wed, 14 May 2025 17:13:20 GMT

@Terrywu a long time friend of my husband had the watchman put in about 6 years ago for the same reason you mentioned about your husband several months after the procedure he went to taking only 1 of the 325mg aspirin per day he was 86 when he had it and still very happy he had it done my husband is considering having it done also

mrshckynut

Re: WATCHMAN PROCEDURE

mrshckynut — Wed, 14 May 2025 17:22:07 GMT

@I am still oxox wrote:
I was told by an afib specilaist that if you have had afib for a long time the procedure might not be effective

@I am still oxox my husband talked with his cardiologist and a cardiologist who specializes in the watchman and neither mentioned anything to do with how long one has experienced a-fib get a 2nd opinion if you are considering this procedure

mrshckynut

Re: WATCHMAN PROCEDURE

I am still oxox — Wed, 14 May 2025 19:07:48 GMT

@mrshckynut wrote:
@I am still oxox wrote:
I was told by an afib specilaist that if you have had afib for a long time the procedure might not be effective

@I am still oxox my husband talked with his cardiologist and a cardiologist who specializes in the watchman and neither mentioned anything to do with how long one has experienced a-fib get a 2nd opinion if you are considering this procedure

mrshckynut

@mrshckynut I got the info from a trusted a fib specialist. I am fine with blood thinners for now so I really have no interest in going any further. Thank you

Re: WATCHMAN PROCEDURE

chrystaltree — Wed, 14 May 2025 21:33:58 GMT

I have afib, I take Eliquis. I have no problems with it but it would be nice to get off blood thinners. I plan to discuss it with my cardiologist when I see him in a few months.

Re: WATCHMAN PROCEDURE

Terrywu — Thu, 15 May 2025 13:49:34 GMT

Thank you all for your input.

Re: WATCHMAN PROCEDURE

mousiegirl — Wed, 28 May 2025 19:36:16 GMT

@mrshckynut Are you related to John? I have been wondering for a while now.

Re: WATCHMAN PROCEDURE

mrshckynut — Thu, 29 May 2025 06:36:53 GMT

@mousiegirl wrote:
@mrshckynut Are you related to John? I have been wondering for a while now.

@mousiegirl yes

mrshckynut

Re: WATCHMAN PROCEDURE

Patriot3 — Thu, 29 May 2025 13:03:17 GMT

I have afib, but not too bad. I am 86 and also have heart failure. I don't want them messing around by my heart.

I have talked to specialists re the watchman, but they can't convince me. Too many things that can go wrong. Then you still have to take Eliquis (or a blood thinner) for 45 days after and I can't do that.

I took Eliquis for a while, but had rectal bleeding so bad, ended up in hospital.

Re: WATCHMAN PROCEDURE

gardenman — Thu, 29 May 2025 13:20:37 GMT

For those unaware of the Watchman procedure and what's done, the human heart has essentially a dead-end road type of area called the left atrial appendage. In people with a-fib the blood sitting in that appendage can clot, and then the clot can enter the bloodstream and cause a stroke. The Watchman device essentially blocks off that dead-end. Blood can't get in or out of it any longer and clots can't form there. You can still have a stroke from clots forming elsewhere, but in people with a-fib the left atrial appendage is where clots are most likely to form. It's a relatively simple and safe procedure.

Re: WATCHMAN PROCEDURE

mrshckynut — Thu, 29 May 2025 15:43:32 GMT

@mrshckynut wrote:
@I am still oxox wrote:
I was told by an afib specilaist that if you have had afib for a long time the procedure might not be effective

@I am still oxox my husband talked with his cardiologist and a cardiologist who specializes in the watchman and neither mentioned anything to do with how long one has experienced a-fib get a 2nd opinion if you are considering this procedure

mrshckynut

the procedure is very similar to a heart catheterization and a stent angioplasty my husband has had 5 heart catheterizations and 2 stent
angioplasties his cardiologist told him a complete battery of tests are done before being cleared for having a watchman installed

mrshckynut

Re: WATCHMAN PROCEDURE

I am still oxox — Thu, 29 May 2025 17:36:44 GMT

@mrshckynut wrote:
@mrshckynut wrote:
@I am still oxox wrote:
I was told by an afib specilaist that if you have had afib for a long time the procedure might not be effective

@I am still oxox my husband talked with his cardiologist and a cardiologist who specializes in the watchman and neither mentioned anything to do with how long one has experienced a-fib get a 2nd opinion if you are considering this procedure

mrshckynut

the procedure is very similar to a heart catheterization and a stent angioplasty my husband has had 5 heart catheterizations and 2 stent
angioplasties his cardiologist told him a complete battery of tests are done before being cleared for having a watchman installed

mrshckynut

@mrshckynut Was the second part of the post for me or someone else

Re: WATCHMAN PROCEDURE

mrshckynut — Fri, 30 May 2025 19:26:40 GMT

@I am still oxox wrote:
@mrshckynut wrote:
@mrshckynut wrote:
@I am still oxox wrote:
I was told by an afib specilaist that if you have had afib for a long time the procedure might not be effective

@I am still oxox my husband talked with his cardiologist and a cardiologist who specializes in the watchman and neither mentioned anything to do with how long one has experienced a-fib get a 2nd opinion if you are considering this procedure

mrshckynut

the procedure is very similar to a heart catheterization and a stent angioplasty my husband has had 5 heart catheterizations and 2 stent
angioplasties his cardiologist told him a complete battery of tests are done before being cleared for having a watchman installed

mrshckynut

@mrshckynut Was the second part of the post for me or someone else

@I am still oxox it is not specific to any one person following this thread but to anyone that has some personal interest in the "watchman" procedure for themselves or perhaps a loved one

mrshckynut

Re: WATCHMAN PROCEDURE

occasionalrain — Fri, 30 May 2025 22:20:41 GMT

@gardenman Thank you for the explanation. I don't have heart issues, just curious. I would have asked but didn't want to be told about Google being my friend.

Re: WATCHMAN PROCEDURE

I am still oxox — Sat, 31 May 2025 16:52:08 GMT

@mrshckynut wrote:
@mrshckynut wrote:
@I am still oxox wrote:
I was told by an afib specilaist that if you have had afib for a long time the procedure might not be effective

@I am still oxox my husband talked with his cardiologist and a cardiologist who specializes in the watchman and neither mentioned anything to do with how long one has experienced a-fib get a 2nd opinion if you are considering this procedure

mrshckynut

the procedure is very similar to a heart catheterization and a stent angioplasty my husband has had 5 heart catheterizations and 2 stent
angioplasties his cardiologist told him a complete battery of tests are done before being cleared for having a watchman installed

mrshckynut

@mrshckynut I do not understand what you are saying about the watchman it was described to me as a simple banding off of part or your heart that is responsible for the A fib

Re: WATCHMAN PROCEDURE

mrshckynut — Sat, 31 May 2025 23:44:58 GMT

@I am still oxox I can't explain the intricate procedure of the installation of the Watchman device what i do know it is to get some with Afib off of blood thinners might want to ask your doctor to explain it in more detail sorry my posts didn't help you

mrshckynut