I just got off the phone with my son, and we were mostly discussing this procedure and the info I was collecting about the experience itself - your info in particular. Now you've given me even more to psych myself up for! Thank you. As I recall your first op didn't succeed because the device didn't fit (and you had to wait for new sizes to come out?).

It's both good and bad that we're having these things done when we are. The very first patients were kind of guinea pigs if only because the surgeons were new at it. Now they're better, especially the ones who specialize (just found one an hour away). I HAD hoped the Cleveland Clinic docs and staff might have a more fine-tuned way of attending to patient comfort to the extent possible, even if it isn't a 5 star hotel! Plenty of warm blankets post-op if needing them then is expectable, seems like a basic.

The pain (inevitable and possibly extra if one's situation leads to it) is more daunting than when I just went by the la-de-da version presented on the Watchman web page, but at least I don't have to worry about embarrassing erections LOL! (Ha, I remembered). The insertion of the catheter in the femoral vein (possibly both sides - hope not!) , the post op cold, the nudity, and urinary retention - considering my special problems - are not pleasant prospects. I'll ask for accommodations in advance, though, thanks to your advice (THE WARM BLANKETS. especially. Also, catheters.)

Still wondering about the Cleveland Clinic especially as the more I think about it, the more I think my cardiologist is (however nice) sub-par, and that I need a thorough cardiac work up. My sibs and I inherited cardiac problems (I thought until recently, it was almost exclusively a lipid disorder), but as we age I am identifying more areas in need of supervision. One of my two brothers died suddenly in his sleep a year ago, and that certainly gave both survivors food for thought about our self-care including the best possible cardiologists. My brother's in a good area (Sarasota FL) but my rural PA area is definitely "medically underserved" . I think it would be a good idea to have a better going over heart-wise. even though the other certified surgeons would probably get me through alive. I had a 9 hour spinal surgery six years ago, and I decided to go with the head of the spinal clinic at the NY Hospital for Special Surgery - supposedly the best orthopedic hospital in the nation. (That was after eight consults!). He made rather a hash of it (looking into revision surgery elsewhere), so I know the biggest names aren't necessarily a guarantee of the best results.

May I ask where you had your Watchman implanted? My son thought you must have had an especially bad experience perhaps owing to where you went, but I said I had the feeling you were just "telling it like it was", not that it was unusually rough treatment. (Just remembered another thing I need to check out thoroughly - insurance. You DID say the cost of the failed first op had cost ~$176K and still counting? I may be mixing up replies on CONNECT. I have Medicare + Medigap Plan F (no longer available) but I'd better dot my I's and cross my T's there too.

Many thanks again for your kind efforts to prepare me. Somehow I'm getting almost as psyched up to it, as before the spinal operation though the frequency of serious side effects from that are known to be much greater. (I believe about 300,000 patients have acquired Watchmen, with a total of ~300 deaths resulting.).

Sorry all for going on so! Perhaps I took your invitation too literally.