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Watchman Next Tuesday
Having the Watchman Implant on Tue Aug 18. From what I can gater, the most concerning post-op references state no lifting of more than 10 lbs for a week, but I am assuming that is because of the wound at your groin and not the actual implant, even tho it has these "barbs|2023 that hold the implant in place.
I have also read that many docs now stop anti coagulants immediately and start one on anti platlet meds plus a baby asprin immediately after the procedure. Any feedback on this or anything I may have forgotten t ask are welcomed.
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From what I have read on afibbers.org forums, most EPs keep their patients on a DOAC for at least six full months, which is when the first confirmatory TEE is usually done. If minor leakage, another TEE at one year, but stay on the DOAC.
This article, dated 2021, says 45 days on a DOAC: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8784674/
A more recent article, probably using the first's recommendations: https://www.droracle.ai/articles/10920/how-long-should-a-patient-stay-on-oral-anticoagulant
No one told me, but I found out that when leads (probably a Watchman too) are implanted in the heart, the danger in movement is not so much pulling out the incision stitches as it is dislodging the electricals implanted before tissue forms to hold them in place.
They have to go back in, shore everything up, and do the procedure again. A lot of work and discomfort. Take it easy for a month.
I have a TEE already scheduled for Oct 1, exactly 45 days after the watchman implant.
@shmerdloff just FYI, the watchman doesn’t have electrical leads. There are some hook like things that embed in to the sides of the left atrial appendage. The doctor then performs a pull test to make sure it is secured.