Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsBeforeDuringAfter
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Before
During
After
Anablationis technically a minimally invasive surgical procedure.Your experience on the day of your procedure will depend a lot on the type of ablation you will have and how well your body handles it.
Ablation can be done on an outpatient basis. For more delicate ablations—like acardiac ablation—your healthcare provider may want to keep you overnight for observation.
Before an Ablation
Before the ablation procedure, your healthcare provider will run a number of tests. These are used to view the affected part of the body and identify areas that need to be repaired or removed. You also may have blood work done to make sure you are healthy enough to have the ablation.
By the day of your procedure, your healthcare provider should have all the information they need. The next step will be to get youprepared for the procedure. This may include the following steps:
When you and your healthcare provider are ready to begin, you will be moved to another room and placed on a special table. It is outfitted withX-rayormagnetic resonance imaging (MRI)tools. These tools guide your practitioner with real-time images as the ablation is performed.
For some ablation procedures, notably those for the skin, your medical professional may simply be able to see the area without needing other tools.
What to Know About Ablation Therapy
During an Ablation
The technique and process for your ablation will vary a lot depending on the part of the body where your ablation is being done. Usually, the hollow ablation catheter is inserted, and your healthcare provider will use the imaging devices to find the problem area.
Electrical impulses, fluids, or other methods are then used to remove, destroy, or “reprogram” the tissue that is causing the problem. Below, you will find the steps of two types of ablation procedures. They are cardiac ablation and endometrial ablation.
How Effective Is Catheter Ablation for Heart Arrhythmia?
Cardiac Ablation
You may experience these steps:
Ablation Therapy to Treat Atrial Fibrillation
Endometrial Ablation
An endometrial ablation is less invasive than the cardiac type, but thepurposeis still the same: Energy (or some other force) is used to destroy the problem tissue. Compare the steps of a cardiac ablation to an endometrial ablation below:
Endometrial Ablation TechniquesThe various techniques that may be used include:Electrocautery:An electric current is sent through a wire or rollerball.Hydrothermal:Heated fluid is pumped into the uterus.Balloon therapy:A thin tube with a balloon at the end is placed into the uterus. Fluid fills the balloon and is then heated until the lining is destroyed.Radiofrequency ablation:Electrical mesh is placed into the uterus and expanded. Electrical currents are sent through the mesh.Cryoablation:A probe that can reach a very low temperature is inserted to freeze the lining.Microwave ablation:Microwave energy is sent through a probe.
Endometrial Ablation Techniques
The various techniques that may be used include:Electrocautery:An electric current is sent through a wire or rollerball.Hydrothermal:Heated fluid is pumped into the uterus.Balloon therapy:A thin tube with a balloon at the end is placed into the uterus. Fluid fills the balloon and is then heated until the lining is destroyed.Radiofrequency ablation:Electrical mesh is placed into the uterus and expanded. Electrical currents are sent through the mesh.Cryoablation:A probe that can reach a very low temperature is inserted to freeze the lining.Microwave ablation:Microwave energy is sent through a probe.
The various techniques that may be used include:
After an Ablation
After your ablation procedure, your medical team will watch for any continued problems or issues. For more invasive procedures, like a cardiac ablation, you will likely stay at least overnight but up to a few days in the hospital for observation.
For less invasive procedures, you can usually leave the same day. That’s likely within hours of an endometrial ablation, or just minutes after more superficial procedures.
For cardiac ablation, some of the major complications of concern include:
With an endometrial ablation, your healthcare provider will watch for excessive bleeding or other issues. Some bleeding and discharge are normal for at least several days after your ablation.
If you stay overnight in the hospital, you will likely be moved to a regular hospital room. If you go home the same day, you will most likely be discharged directly from the recovery area.
You should have someone with you to drive you home after your ablation, and your healthcare provider will give you instructions about follow-up care and visits.
Ablation Surgery: Recovery
Summary
There are differences in ablation techniques and procedures, but the goal is the same: Abnormal tissue is destroyed to prevent further problems. In many cases, the ablation is done on an outpatient basis and, barring any issues, you will be headed home in a few hours. Procedures involving sensitive areas, such as the heart or brain, may require a hospital stay.
A Word From Verywell
The idea of having an ablation (or any procedure, for that matter) may cause anxiety. That’s especially true if you’ve not had one before and don’t really know what to expect. Ask your healthcare provider to review the plan with you before the day of your procedure. That way you’ll know exactly what to expect, and you’ll arrive at your appointment with confidence.
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Food and Drug Administration.Endometrial ablation for heavy menstrual bleeding.American Heart Association.Ablation for arrhythmias.University of Utah Health.What to expect before, during, & after cardiac ablation.Johns Hopkins Health.Catheter ablation.John Hopkins Medicine.Entrometrial ablation.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Endometrial ablation.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Food and Drug Administration.Endometrial ablation for heavy menstrual bleeding.American Heart Association.Ablation for arrhythmias.University of Utah Health.What to expect before, during, & after cardiac ablation.Johns Hopkins Health.Catheter ablation.John Hopkins Medicine.Entrometrial ablation.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Endometrial ablation.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Food and Drug Administration.Endometrial ablation for heavy menstrual bleeding.American Heart Association.Ablation for arrhythmias.University of Utah Health.What to expect before, during, & after cardiac ablation.Johns Hopkins Health.Catheter ablation.John Hopkins Medicine.Entrometrial ablation.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Endometrial ablation.
Food and Drug Administration.Endometrial ablation for heavy menstrual bleeding.
American Heart Association.Ablation for arrhythmias.
University of Utah Health.What to expect before, during, & after cardiac ablation.
Johns Hopkins Health.Catheter ablation.
John Hopkins Medicine.Entrometrial ablation.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Endometrial ablation.
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