Afib after surgery

[salem244 7]

It has been one week after the surgery. I checked out fine cardiac wise before the surgery. I was able to get off the diabetic medicine a day after surgery, but the next day I developed Afib. My heart was 144. They gave me IV drugs and that got me back into normal sinus rhythm. I went to the cardiologist yesterday and it is back. My heart rate was 150. He told me that about 20% of people get Afib after surgery. He has put me on two heart medicines plus blood thinner. He wanted me to go back into the hospital and I said no, try medicine first. I am due to go back on Friday to the cardiologist. If it is still up I suspect I will go back in the hospital. I am discouraged. I have had no real problems after the surgery with pain or nausea only to have something serious come up. There was a moment I wished I had not had the surgery. Has anyone every experienced this before. I have been searching everywhere for some words of wisdom. I have no real symptoms of Afib, but when I get up and walk I am short of breath. Didn't know if this was from the surgery or the Afib or both. I am fighting being worried about this. I hope that I have not traded one problem (obesity) for another (heart problems). Help.

[MBM1Forever 107]

Hi Salem,

Sorry to hear you are going through this. Seems like it might be worth a second opinion or asking some really pointed questions like, how long can I expect this, will it change with weight loss, is it really due to the surgery?

Good luck and keep us posted, please.

[mamie60 104]

Do you use CPAP with oxygen at night? I am an advanced practice registered nurse and I have done some research into afib. One of the news theories is that afib could be related to untreated sleep apnea you might want to talk to your cardiologist about a sleep study.

[mamie60 104]

I had afib a few years ago and since I've been using the CPAP with oxygen I have not had any

Edited September 11, 2014 by mamie60

[shellyd88 463]

Hello I have AFib too since 2011 haven't had WLS surgery yet I was told mine was likely caused by sleep apnea... it's possible u had it before but did not have symptoms check with your cardio dr are u are anti arrhythmic meds? u may need something to also lower your heart rate a bit in addition to the anti arrhythmic or Water pills to help get excess Fluid out of your body make sure u see a specialist u may need some additional testing to get definite answers good luck!

[Crooker 20]

I had gastric sleeve surgery in November, 2012. Two weeks after surgery I went into A-Fib also. My heart was racing (177 beats per minute) and heart skipping beats. I was taken to hospital and given drugs through an IV to slow it down. I have had A-Fib off and on, ever since the first surgery. I just had a revision to gastric bypass two weeks ago and the fourth day out from surgery, I went into A-Fib again. My surgeon and cardiologist were prepared as I was closely monitored during my hospital stay. I spent three more days in the hospital and they were able to get my heart rate back down and get into a regular rhythm again. I am supposed to get a procedure called an "Ablation" in January, 2015, which will take care of the erratic heartbeat. I never had any trouble with my heart until the first surgery.

[jbauman13 9]

I had never had afib but after RNY my heart rate went up to 188, very scary. After several tests and another surgery to verify no leak, my doctors found a blood clot on my lung(pulmonary embolism). I am now on a blood thinner.

[jtickle 295]

I had my RNY in June. I have developed tachy-brady syndrome. I am currently seeing an intervention cardiologist and cardiac electrophysiologist. I am also going to see a neurologist to see if my vagus nerve was damaged after my surgery. I never had a problem with abnormal heart rhythms until I had the gastric bypass. I have already been told I will need a pacemaker and I am only 34.

Edited October 18, 2014 by jtickle