Any experiences with Watchman Implant for A-Fib?

My Watchman was inserted on Nov 22. I've had no issues whatsoever. I can't take thinners. I had a thinner-induced stroke in 2020, so thinners are out for me. I've had chronic Afib since 2002. I have enough confidence now to feel that clot risk has fallen to acceptable levels via the Watchman.

The Watchman has been recommended to me. I had a GI bleed last year with hemoglobin of 6 and I required a blood transfusion. The goal is to get off blood thinners like you say.
My concern is having to take aspirin after the implant. I always thought aspirin was a blood thinner and have stayed away from it for years. However, the last Electrophysiologist I saw told me that it is safer than Eliquis so if I have another GI bleeding episode, I will probably go ahead with the procedure. Any thoughts on this?

I had The Amulet implanted on February 13 and am looking forward to no blood thinners in my future. Eliquis is an allergen for me. The dose was reduced last year to no avail and I had 15 side effects before this procedure affecting my skin, my eyes and my GI system. My EP cardiologist worked on The Watchman when it was introduced and was able to find the proper device for me. The Amulet was a better fit for my anatomy. Until it is confirmed that the device is healed, I am taking Plavix and aspirin. I have chronic AFib, thanks to a PCP who gave me an overdose of pure T4.

I had a Watchman installed Jan 2023. At the time my instructions were an TEE in 3 months and another one in a year. Following the Tee, I no longer needed warfarin but they recommended a daily baby aspirin. I did not tolerate aspirin and stopped it per my cardiologist.
I moved across the country Oct ‘23. The yearly followup it’s not part of the protocol here.
I’ve been happy with that procedure. However, as I’ve noted elsewhere, we solved one problem but another cropped up! It’s a continuous fight, but don’t give up.

Hello, Koleke,
As Justin indicated I have a Watchman Device implant as of December 2021. Leading up to that. I was diagnosed with paroxysmal (sp?) a fib and has been in Eloquis for about 1 year or so. There is a qualifying matrix that your dr. Needs to go through to ensure that you meet the requisite criteria for the Watchman device. I cannot recall the name of the screening test by your dr., but your score determines your eligibility. There are transesophogeal echocardiograms (TEE’s) that must be performed before during and after the Watchman implant procedure, and the TEE’s are a procedure in themselves, requiring a lighter form of anesthesia. The actual Watchman implant procedure went well for me, but did require an overnight in the hospital afterwards. I found animations online showing how they do it, whic was helpful to me, but also somewhat cringeworthy. Overall, I am very happy with the outcome. The presenc3 of the devic3 is invisible to me and there ar3 no sensations. I am very glad to be off of the anticoagulant meds, though I am now directed to take a 325 mg aspirin daily. Knowing what I know today, I would do it again. I hope that my experience is helpful to you. I wish you the very best.

Hello @koleke,

I combined your discussion with an existing discussion titled, "Any experiences with Watchman Implant for A-Fib?" - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/watchman-implant-for-a-fib/ so you could meet the many members who were inquiring about the same thing as yourself like @fiddlinchuck and @greta63.

Right. So far, dad hasn’t had any bleeding issues. He’s had dental work without bleeding problem, but he does bruise easily. I can see your concern, though.

I didn't have an issue except easy bruising and worrying about bleeding internally or if I got a cut or in an accident. At 80+ I don't think I'd worry about it...

Did you have an issue with Eliquis? My dad (age 86) takes it and has for several years since cardioversion successfully treated afib. We wonder if it is causing leg weakness. I don’t have information about the Watchman. Hope others will chime in,

Does anyone out there have experience with the Watchman device that is implanted in your heart to help prevent stroke from Afib? My cardiologist insists that I either take Eliquis or have the Watchman. I am a 70 year old, active female that has had a successful ablation and no Afib episodes for 2 years since the surgery. I discontinued the Eliquis because my primary care doctor said they just insist that you take it to "cover their butts". But now the heart doctor is disagreeing. I'm so confused about what to do.