Hi! I also have Afib. Mine is well controlled with medications (thank goodness), so I have not had an ablation. But from my understanding, it's a pretty common procedure. I am happy to chat, but I would strongly suggest that if you have questions you reach out to the doctor/OR team in charge of doing the ablation rather than googling.

so sorry to hear about your partner and your nerves, it's completely understandable! anything cardiac related is honestly really terrifying for obvious reasons.

has the doctor ever recommended medication to control his afbid, or is it too random for that?

I have family members with afib and have known people who've had the cardiac ablation procedure done. it sounds really scary, but they're essentially going into his heart and destroying the rogue cell that's causing the irregular heartbeat. this might just very well stop your partner's afib, but do keep in mind that sometimes it can return! if that happens, a pacemaker is what usually helps with that.

just remember that he'll be in good hands, and he'll have options if the ablation procedure doesn't fully fix it. do everything for him the best that you can until he's recovered, since cardiac procedures usually don't allow lifting anything beyond 10lbs, & check in often on how he feels incase if there's ever any sign of infection(which he should honestly be okay as long as he sticks to the recovery instructions.)

sorry I couldn't provide much, but good luck to you and yours. <3 it'll go just fine!

I've had Afib and the ablation when the Afib became so persistent that meds no longer controlled it. Yes it was scary, but once it's done you're over it. I still have to take medications to control irregular heartbeats but the doctor says they're not dangerous and when I occasionally have them, they're no where nearly as bad as the Afib was. Anyway wish you luck.

No experience, but wishing you both the best!

So!
In 2019 I was diagnosed with AFIB. Was out of sync for nearly 12-16hrs until IV-fed meds helped pull me into normal rhythm. I was put on a handful of counter-AFIB medication (cardizem, metoprolol, baby aspirin). In September of 2023 I had a second major event (was having issues and saw three four different cardiologists between then), and the following month was my Ablation appointment.

There are 3 types of AFIB ablation. RF (heat), Cyro (cold), and there is a new method that I haven't looked much into yet but doesn't require anything invasive.

With RF and Cyro, the operation is usually pretty simple. They'll enter through the thigh / groin crease into the main artery there, or through the shoulder / clavical area. They'll feed the devices they need up or down to the heart chambers, make their ablation, and remove everything. Depending on which chambers they need to ablate for your partner, a small incision will possibly be needed within the heart. He'll likely be put on a form of blood thinner to control clotting at their entry site and any incision needed.

Now, my experience with all of it post-ablation was not stellar. It took me nearly two years to recover but I had already been in a severely weakened state, So my recovery was not good. So long as your partner has a reasonably well-balanced diet and healthy routine, they should recover pretty quickly.
My AFIB instances went from 2-4 events DAILY on medication to 2-4 a month post op (but I'm still on metoprolol to control my blood pressure and to keep any night time attacks from arising while I'm sleeping). I received no shock-corrective measures though they did stage the cart outside my room the first time it happened because of how long I was persisting out of rhythm. If it is that serious that they're not putting your partner on an IV at the hospital or on medication, seek medication first to trial on whether or not it helps. Dietary changes can also help with a more heart-healthy focused intake like cutting down on red meats and finding a diet plan that works for them. I changed my diet four times post 2019 and I've definitely felt more energy and less AFIB responses.

For you, however, they'll take your partner in the day of the op, prep, and depending on how much they have to ablate, they should be out of the procedure within a few hours or less. They woke me up and made me walk around after ensuring the suture had adequate sealed the entry site. I was home by that afternoon and had to self-manage my bandages.
I don't want to scare you or your partner, just make sure they have their effects in order with you before the procedure. AFIB Ablation has become increasingly more successful with the medical tech and science improvements since its inception but it's always good to have everything settled beforehand.

I hope your partner can find a solution through all this and I hope you can feel a little more at ease about it. IF either of you have any questions about any information that might be useful, feel free to note me. I have a slew of saved AFIB research and dietary insight that might also help.

(sorry for the wall of text)

My father has dealt with afib for the past few years and has managed it with medication and a change in diet. A gallbladder rupture and subsequent removal also reinforced the change in diet. So far he's been good and not need ablation as far as I know? His side of the family has a history of heart conditions though.

Not AFib exactly, but Blade had cardiac arrest two years ago and while he survived they did place an ICD and he now takes medication to regulate his rhythm. They said it was left bundle branch block caused by scar tissue from a virus, but we'll never really know.

And...I'm still a mess from it. I don't think it ever goes away. I still panic every day wondering if I'll get another call that he's gone down, even though I know he now has a tiny AED in him at all times.

If it does help any, my mother was a nurse for close to 40 years and she took care of many patients who had the procedure and did really well with it. It's a pretty common, routine procedure for them to do, yeah it sounds pretty scary but so do a lot of things and Dr. Google definitely doesn't help (especially with all the AI results these days). It's like using a mute button on the cells that are messing with the rhythm.

Heart scares are terrifying and I know we haven't talked in ages but I'm more than willing to lend an ear and a shoulder.

My mother has it. I don't think she has had any related surgery.