The Watchman is a small mesh, about the size of a thimble, that is pressed into the left atrial appendage, I think maybe sutured into place, not sure about that. The point of it, though, is that over the next five months or so, your endothelial atrial lining will grow into that device and cover it over, just like bricking off the front entrance to an abandoned building. This closure seals the LAA. Or, it is meant to. You will get a trans-esophageal echocardiogram (a TEE) under a light anesthetic like propofol (like they do for endoscopy), and this will show if the Watchman is fully sealed and if the LAA is leaking. The TEE happens at about six months from insertion, maybe later. If there are no leaks, your EP may agree that you can cease taking the Eliquis....HOWEVER...you may have other comorbidities that would make it wise to keep taking it, probably for life. Again, discuss all this with your EP.