For many people living with atrial fibrillation (AFib), getting the WATCHMAN Implant can feel like a turning point. Stroke prevention no longer needs to be managed day to day. Instead, it’s something that’s already been taken care of, once and for all. After a brief recovery period, many people are able to focus less on treatment and more on everyday life. This means more time for the routines, activities, and moments that matter most.
Living with the WATCHMAN Implant means the freedom to move forward with confidence. Many return to exercise, travel, and regular medical care without major changes to daily life. While ongoing follow-up is still important, most people say that life with the WATCHMAN Implant feels familiar and flexible. Knowing what to expect after the procedure can you make the most of life with long-term stroke risk reduction.
Recovering from the WATCHMAN Implant Procedure
What to expect after the WATCHMAN Implant procedure
The WATCHMAN procedure is minimally invasive. It’s performed through a vein in the leg — not through open-heart surgery. Most people stay in the hospital for a day or less. Mild bruising or soreness near the access site is common and usually resolves within a few days. The WATCHMAN Implant is a one-time implant and it never needs to be replaced.
Follow-up care is an important part of recovery. Imaging is typically performed about 45 days after the procedure to confirm that the device has sealed the left atrial appendage (LAA) as intended.1
After the procedure, you’ll receive a WATCHMAN Implant card that contains important device information. This card should be carried with you at all times.
How long is the recovery after the WATCHMAN Implant procedure?
Many people are surprised by how quickly recovery progresses. In general, recovery after the WATCHMAN procedure takes about one week. Light activity can often be resumed within a few days. More intense activity may be limited briefly.
Recovery timelines vary based on overall health and other medical conditions. However, most people return to normal daily routines relatively quickly compared with more intensive procedures.
Restriction during the recovery period
After the WATCHMAN procedure, there are some short-term limits to help the body heal. Your doctor may ask you to avoid heavy lifting or intense exercise for a short time. These limits usually only last during early recovery.
Once healing is complete, the WATCHMAN Implant isn't meant to limit daily life. Most people can return to normal activities without long-term restrictions related to the implant.
Exercise after the WATCHMAN procedure
Gentle movement is often encouraged early in recovery. For example, light walking or stretching. Doing so can help support circulation and overall healing. As recovery continues, your doctor will check that the WATCHMAN Implant has healed as expected. After that, most people can slowly return to more active movement.
The WATCHMAN Implant doesn’t control heart rhythm or limit movement, so it won’t place limits on long-term physical activity. Many people can safely return to their old workouts, recreational sports, and fitness routines with ease and confidence.
Find information on what life is like with the WATCHMAN Implant, including other frequently asked questions, on the Boston Scientific website.
Find out if you’re a candidate for the WATCHMAN Implant. Take the quiz
Beyond Recovery: Life after the WATCHMAN Implant
Living life with the WATCHMAN Implant often brings a sense of relief and renewed freedom. With stroke risk reduction already in place, many people no longer have to remember to take medications every day. Instead of planning your life around medication schedules, care becomes simpler and more predictable.
AFib still requires regular medical check-ups. However, the WATCHMAN Implant can move stroke prevention into the background. This makes it easier for you to focus on everyday life, like staying active, making plans, and enjoying the little moments, rather than managing lifelong, daily medications.
When can I stop taking blood thinners?
In a clinical trial, 96% of people were able to stop taking blood thinners 45 days after getting the WATCHMAN Implant. This happened after follow-up imaging showed that the implant had healed properly and the left atrial appendage was fully closed.1
Some people may still need to take medications for a short time after the procedure. This depends on individual health needs. However, long-term stroke risk reduction with the WATCHMAN Implant does not depend on taking blood thinners for life. Your doctor will provide instructions on when to stop taking your blood thinners.
Traveling with the WATCHMAN Implant
Traveling with the WATCHMAN Implant is simple and straightforward. Once recovery is complete, the device doesn’t limit flying, road trips, or international travel. The WATCHMAN device won’t set off airport security systems and doesn’t require special handling during screening.
Many people enjoy traveling without planning around blood thinner schedules. There’s also less worry about storing medications or managing bleeding risks while away from home.
WATCHMAN Implant MRI safety
The WATCHMAN Implant is considered MRI conditional. This means that MRI scans can be safely performed under specific conditions.
Patients should always inform imaging providers and technicians that they have a WATCHMAN Implant and carry their implant card.
Get more information about MRIs with the WATCHMAN Implant, including FAQ.
Is the WATCHMAN Implant procedure dangerous?
All medical procedures carry some risks. However, large clinical trials have shown that the WATCHMAN Implant procedure has a high implant success rate of 99%* and a low major complication rate of 0.5%.**1
Your doctor will carefully assess your individual risk level to determine whether a WATCHMAN Implant is a safe and appropriate option for you.
Is a WATCHMAN a pacemaker?
The WATCHMAN Implant is not a pacemaker. So, it doesn’t control heart rhythm or heart rate. It is a stroke prevention device that’s designed to close off the left atrial appendage, where most AFib-related blood clots form.
Returning to everyday life with confidence
For many people, living with a WATCHMAN Implant represents a return to normalcy. Daily routines, exercise, and travel can be enjoyed again, with fewer treatment-related concerns. By reducing reliance on lifelong blood thinners, the WATCHMAN Implant supports a more flexible approach to long-term stroke prevention — helping people focus on living fully and confidently.
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*Procedure success defined as successful delivery and release of a WATCHMAN FLX device into the LAA.
**In a post-FDA approval analysis. Major complication is defined as an occurrence of one of the following events between the time of implant and within 7 days following the procedure or by hospital discharge, whichever is later: all-cause death, ischemic stroke, systemic embolism, or device or procedure related events requiring open cardiac surgery or major endovascular intervention.
References:
Kar S., Doshi S., Sadhu A., et al. Primary Outcome Evaluation of the Next Generation LAAC Device: Results from the PINNACLE FLX Trial. Circulation. 2021;143:1754–1762.
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Content on this web page is for Informational Purposes only and does not constitute medical advice and should not be used for medical diagnoses. Boston Scientific strongly recommends that you consult with your physician on all matters pertaining to your health or to address any clinical/medical questions.
Important Safety Information
The WATCHMAN FLX and WATCHMAN FLX Pro Devices are permanent implants designed to close the left atrial appendage in the heart in an effort to reduce the risk of stroke.
With all medical procedures there are risks associated with the implant procedure and the use of the device. The risks include, but are not limited to, accidental puncture of the heart causing fluid to collect around the heart possibly leading towards the need for an additional procedure, allergic reaction, anesthesia risks, altered mental status or confusion after procedure, arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats), bleeding or throat pain from the TEE (Trans Esophageal Echo) probe, chest pain/discomfort, congestive heart failure, renal failure, excessive bleeding, gastrointestinal bleeding, groin puncture bleed, bruising at the catheter insertion site, groin pain, anemia (reduced red blood cells requiring transfusion), hypotension, infection/pneumonia (example: in or around your heart or lungs), misplacement of the device, improper seal of the appendage or movement of device from appendage wall, clot formation on the device, blood clot or air bubbles in the lungs or other organs, stroke, transient ischemic attack (temporary stroke-like symptoms), cranial bleed (bleeding in or around your brain), thrombosis (blockage of a blood vessel or vein by a clot) and in rare cases death can occur.
Be sure to talk with your doctor so that you thoroughly understand all of the risks and benefits associated with the implantation of the device. SH-2109508-AA