​
I was born with Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome (Obviously), which essentially means my heart came with some "bonus" wiring I never asked for. My first SVT episode hit at 15—an hour of my heart redlining while I was too shy and terrified in class to say a word. For the next 30 years, I managed it. I learned the "vagal maneuvers," cut out the nicotine and caffeine, and lived a "clean" life to keep the beast at bay.
The Breakdown
Six months ago, the strategy failed. An episode hit that wouldn't revert. At the hospital, the SVT caused a false positive for a heart attack, leading to an angiogram that proved my "pipes" were perfectly clean, but my electrical system was haywire. Two more hospital trips in two months—including one where they chemically reverted me on my own couch—and it was time. I went on Flecainide and got on the six-month public waiting list for an ablation.
Victorian Heart Hospital (Melbourne Australia)
Yesterday was the day. I genuinely believe the Victorian Heart Hospital is one of the best on the planet. I arrived at 10 AM with my partner, fasted and anxious. When they prep you, tell them to shave the areas where the ECG pads and tape go. You’ll thank me later when you aren't getting a free waxing session during removal.
After signing a 19-page waiver I didn't read and getting the cannula in (never fun), I was wheeled into a theater that looked like a NASA control room—15 people in the room and a gallery of techs behind glass. The vibe was surprisingly chill. I grilled the anesthesiologist on my biggest fear: *"How do you know I’m not just paralyzed and conscious?"* He talked me through the brain-wave monitoring and breathing patterns until I felt settled.
Then, the Cardiologist came out. We fist-bumped, talked some shit, and decided to skip the "twilight" sedation for a full General Anesthetic.
The anesthesiologist told me he was giving me "something nice."
"Ah, the cocktail," I said. The room laughed.
One second later, it hit. It was a euphoric rush that felt like the world’s cleanest combo of coke and MDMA. I managed a final, *"Oh fuck, that's good,"* and I was out.
The Recovery
GA really is a time machine. I had a split-second dream and woke up in recovery at 3:30 PM. The procedure took about 2 hours and 45 minutes. By 4:50 PM, I was out the door and heading home.
**The Aftermath**
The surgeons called it a complete success—they mapped the heart, triggered the SVT, and "cauterized" every last excess pathway.
Pain.
The worst part isn't the heart or the groin (where they went in)—it’s the sore throat from the breathing tube. The groin is a 3/10; I haven't even touched a Panadol.
Sleep
Last night was rough. I think the GA nuked my internal clock, so I was wide awake
ecg
My delta seems mostly gone, but the "short circuits" are toast.
retro
I spent six months in a state of high anxiety for a procedure that turned out to be a breeze. I’m 48 now; if I’d waited another 15 years, this would have been a much heavier lift.
cost for operation
Total cost for procedure $29 for the onsite parking
p.s. About 100 people are gonna see your junk but they will be discreet