You probably clicked on this article because you just had or are considering an ablation procedure to treat atrial fibrillation (AFIB). Can AFib go away with weight loss? And like me, the thought of potential weight gain after cardiac ablation is nagging at the back of your mind. I get it. I’ve been there too!
When I had my ablation at age 45, I was not prepared for the 20-pound weight gain after cardiac ablation that crept up over the next 6 months. It was frustrating and depressing, especially because I worked so hard to be healthy before and after the operation. I kept asking myself, “How could a life-saving procedure lead to weight issues?”
In this article, I’ll walk you through my struggles, lessons learned, and tips for maintaining weight post-cardiac ablation. Whether you are pre or post-ablation, I hope that by transparently sharing my own experience, I can help you mentally and physically prepare for the recovery ahead. This includes being aware of the very real phenomenon of post-ablation weight gain, so it doesn’t catch you by surprise too!
Reasons for Weight Gain After Cardiac Ablation: Find Them!
The unwanted pounds piled on for a few key reasons:
1. Decreased Activity Levels After my ablation- I was told to avoid strenuous activity for at least a month. And even when I was cleared for exercise again, I found I tired easily and couldn’t sustain my typical fitness routine. It was much harder to get my heart rate elevated. The decrease in physical exertion directly led to a slower metabolism and weight gain after cardiac ablation.
2. Medication and Hormonal Shifts All of the medication prescribed post-ablation – like blood thinners and steroids – made me retain more water weight. The procedures during surgery as well as anesthesia can also throw your adrenal glands off balance, spiking stress hormones like cortisol. In my case, it took 3 months for my hormone levels to normalize again. And during that time, I was hungrier and prone to cravings. Not a winning combo when trying to watch your weight!
3. Dietary Changes Initially after surgery, I found comfort in eating soft, bland foods that were more caloric and carb-heavy (think pasta, bread, crackers). Later on, the frustrating scale creep made me over-restrict my diet in unhealthy ways as a reaction. I ended up stuck in an endless cycle of intense “dieting” efforts followed by overwhelming hunger and binge episodes. Trying to override my body’s signals and impulses around food only backfired.
4. Emotional Eating Finally, the stress, anxiety, disappointment, and even boredom during those early recovery months drove me straight to the fridge or pantry! I’d find myself mindlessly snacking just for something to do. Of course, shoveling chips or cookies in my mouth was only a short-term distraction from how discouraged I felt.
The Hard Lessons I Had to Learn the Hard Way
Looking back now, it’s easy for me to see everything I would do differently. At the time though, I didn’t have the tools or awareness to make the best choices for my body recovering from cardiac ablation. Here were my hard lessons:
Be Kinder to Yourself
I beat myself up a lot about the weight gain after cardiac ablation, which only worsened my emotional eating and my inner critic. It took time to realize that the struggle was temporary. My body had been through trauma and needed nurturing patience, not punishment.
Commit to Consistent Movement
While intensive cardio was off the table (per doctor’s orders!), regular movement aids digestion and circulation. A reasonable daily step count or gentle stretching routine could have offset my metabolic and hormonal hurdles. But I wrongly assumed I couldn’t be active at all after cardiac ablation.
Ask For Help Sooner
Whether reaching out to loved ones for emotional support or consulting a nutritionist to develop a tailored diet for my changing needs – it would have made a significant difference. We tend to isolate when ashamed but talking through challenges relieves their grip.
Practice Mindfulness
Stress-eating often happens on autopilot. Being present with my emotions rather than impulsively reacting could have prevented poor food choices. Meditation builds this pause button capacity over time.
How I Finally Achieved and Maintained Weight Loss After Ablation?
Once I emerged from the shock and frustration of my weight gain after cardiac ablation (with 15 unwanted pounds!), I realized it was within my control to adopt lifestyle changes and lose what I’d put on. Through patience and support, I created an empowered “new normal” that kept me at a healthy weight for a long time. Here’s what worked for me:
Nutrition Strategies
Instead of generic “weight loss diets” with arbitrary rules, I tailored my nutrition plan around the following:
- Eating Enough Protein: Consuming a palm-sized serving with every meal stabilized glucose levels and reduced cravings. Salmon, eggs, nuts, and plant proteins became my go-to.
- Controlling Carb Portions: I still enjoyed whole grains, fruit, and starchy veggies but kept servings modest with lots of fiber-rich accents like leafy greens. Moderation prevented energy crashes or spikes.
- Hydrating Well: Drinking at least 64 oz of water daily balanced fluid retention issues from medications while curbing excessive snacking tendencies. Herbal teas like ginger mint also ease digestion.
- Journaling Food and Mood: Logging feelings alongside daily intake illuminated my emotional eating triggers like stress, fatigue, or boredom that I could then consciously manage better.
Movement Methods
I collaborated with my doctor and physical therapist to design a safe, paced exercise program including:
- Walking: Starting with casual 5-minute strolls, I gradually increased my daily steps to reach 8K-10K most days without fatigue or strain.
- Stretching: Gentle morning and evening yoga helped my tight, tense muscles impacted by less activity post-ablation surgery.
- Light Strength Training: After 4 months, I incorporated 2-3lb hand weights for basic upper body moves that maintained lean muscle mass to elevate my resting metabolism.
- Water exercise after ablation: Once fully healed, swimming laps or water aerobics classes provided gentle full-body cardio my body tolerated well.
Stress And Emotional Self-Care
Proactively carving out downtime every week reduced my urges to emotionally eat or binge after cardiac ablation, including:
- Relaxation Practices: From Restorative yoga classes to breathing techniques, I learned to consciously tap my parasympathetic nervous system.
- Mindfulness Habits: Simple daily reflection questions like “How do I feel today physically and emotionally?” kept me attuned to my body’s signals.
- Fulfilling Hobbies: Crafting, playing my guitar, photographing nature fed my spirit versus scrolling on my phone or watching T.V. aimlessly.
- Positive Affirmations: Leaving encouraging sticky notes with mantras like “Be patient, you’ve got this!” shifted negative thought loops over time.
- Building a Support Network: Joining online groups of others recovering from cardiac ablation helped me realize I wasn’t alone in what I faced post-surgery.
The Take-Aways
The prospect of additional weight creeping on after cardiac ablation may feel inevitable, but I promise that isn’t the full picture. Yes, your body will need time to heal based on your unique age, medications, activity level, and other health factors. However, you have more control than you realize!
If you stay consistent in meeting your needs for quality nutrition, gradual movement, and emotional support, any setbacks with the scale should resolve within 6 months maximum. And by 12 months, you can realistically be back on track feeling strong and energetic at your optimal weight again!
I’m rooting for you as you walk this winding path to better heart health. You’ve got resilience, adaptability, and inner wisdom on your side even during the hardest moments post-ablation. Take it step by step, ounce by ounce. How do you feel hopeful about preventing or overcoming potential weight gain down the road after reading my lessons learned? What proactive steps might you try? You’ve got this!
References
- Joseph JP, Rajappan K. Radiofrequency ablation of cardiac arrhythmias: past, present and future. QJM. 2012 Apr;105(4):303-14. [PubMed]
- Robbins IM, Colvin EV, Doyle TP, Kemp WE, Loyd JE, McMahon WS, Kay GN. Pulmonary vein stenosis after catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation. Circulation. 1998 Oct 27;98(17):1769-75. [PubMed]
