Most Recent Messages in Surgery & Recovery

Post Message!

One week in and not doing as expected

I would say after one week I'm definitely still in recovery.  For my CHF my cariologist had a biventricular pacemaker put in and finally got done last week.  Pain is subsiding so that's not an issue, but my BP has been over 20 points higher since and my enery level is WAYYYYYYY LOW.

Sleeping 12 - 15 hours a day, and unfortunately need to start back to work (50% time university lecturer).  I know some of you have gone through the same, just looking for qu...

Read More...

Late bruising

I had my first pacemaker implanted on July 20th of this year. The steri-strips were removed from the incision at my appt two weeks later (Aug 3). The incision was so thin and small and barely noticeable.

Over the last few days, it has begun bruising right around the incision. Is it normal for bruising to first occur so long after implant?

Read More...

lead extraction

hello everyone.  I have had a pacer for 16 years now, and after having symptoms of shortness of breath, lightheadedness and being to tired to do anything, they finally figured out that my leads are shot.  i am sceduled for a 2 lead extraction, a third lead to be placed in my left ventricle along with a replacement and an upgrade of the pacer itself.  gotta say, very anxious about this because it will be under general anesthesia, and they use lasers to get the leads out.&nb...

Read More...

New to pacemaker

Just got my PM on Thursday. My left arm is sore. I feel that’s probably to be expected however my bicep is “hard” (harder than it usually is. It actually feels like i have a muscle there 😜)and it feels like someone has got a grip on it. If you touch it, it hurts. My arm is swollen but not too bad but it does ache. Does this sound like its normal? 

Read More...

Pacemaker surgery, under the muscle

Hi All!

 I’m having a PM implanted next week. I’m a 31 year old female at the very end of physician assistant school so I’m used to being on the other side of the table. That being said, I know the procedure and what it entails but I’m curious about the patients perspective. I’m very nervous, I know it hurts a great deal (especially under the muscle) but I hate the thought of being awake for the procedure. Can I please hear everybody’s thoughts a...

Read More...

Pain around the device

Hi, I am 14 weeks post op and have been fitted with a Medtronic defibrillator ( not a small device!) I have woken up today with pain around the device on the inside. There is no sign of bruising or anything to see on the outside, I have just felt tender all day. Apart from this my recovery has gone really well and my scar has healed nicely. Should I be concerned or is this normal?

Read More...

anesthesia for pacer insertion

Do you want to here the opinion of HCP anesthesiologist on this topic?

Just today gave anesthetic management to the patient fo PM insertion.

Read More...

Post Op Low Grade Fever and Body Aches

So I had the PM implant last Friday, 5 days ago, and the day after I woke up, still under the influence of the drugs, and went out to breakfast with my husband. I noticed that I seemed more alert. More oxygen to my brain I guess. Later that night when the drugs wore off I started feeling like I was getting the flu and took my temp. It was 99.3 and my normal is 97.6. Husband called the doctor and they said not to worry unless it got to be over 100. I took the pain pills, Norcor, and that eased...

Read More...

Difficult to accept

Hello everybody 

I am 53yrs old and i have a PM since April 17th. Before it I have been practicing sports regularly. I was running 30km/week. I had an HR of 36 at rest and never fainted. The doctor suggest to meet an aritmologist and after an Holter they found 11 pauses during the night the longest 5seconds. I had other exams like ecodopller and stress test and everything was regular. I stopped to run and make other activities and the pauses were reduced. However I did af...

Read More...

Feeling your pacemaker beat

I’m 5 weeks post surgery after having a pacemaker fitted for heart block. Aged 45 and fit and healthy. 

At times when my PM is pacing me, I feel it really strongly in my chest, so much so sometimes you can see my t-shirt move with the beat. I have to move to sit up more upright or adjust my position so that I’m not so conscious of it as I find it really distracting. The voltage is set at 3V. At my 10 day check up, cardiologist seemed very happy. I go back in 2 months fo...

Read More...

Ablation recovery time??

Hi I've just had what I'm told was a succesful ablation for VT. (19th July/18) 

How long doe it take to recover post ablation?

I was in theater for aprroximately 4.5 hours under general aneathetic. The incision in my groin and wrist are fine just a little sore, but I feel totally shattered, I'm dragging myself around the house at the moment, I feel exhausted within 20 mins of getting out of bed, I'm also quite light headed Pre-op I was better than th...

Read More...

Pacemaker implant cost!!

Hello all. This is my first time posting but have been reading all your topics for a few weeks now. I had my Medtronic 2 lead pacemaker surgery last Tuesday the 17th. Everything went well with no complications. I spent 1 night in the hospital. I went and checked my health insurance website and the Dr submitted the bill already. 72,000!!! This is a lot higher than I expected and researched. I have an out of pocket deductible max but still. Seems to me that they just over price because they kno...

Read More...

I'm a new member

Last 5th July 2018 I had a Pacemaker implanted and next 10th August 2018 I am to have the second procedure, AV Node Ablation. In 2000 I had a Mechanical Mitral Valve installed and since then have had problems with AFib. There were 6 successful Cardio Versions, successful for awhile anyway. My cardiologist determined after so much trial and error with medications failing, the last resort would be the PPM with AV Node Ablation. I'm almost 70 years old take Coumadin daily and a little nervou...

Read More...

Pacemaker pocket

So seen cardiologist today ( as I’ve been in pain since 2nd pacemaker op 4 weeks today ) and he said pocket for pacemaker was not big enough πŸ€” and he said can op to make bigger pocket or it will just stretch in time ,,,, anyone else had this problem ?

Read More...

Day 7

So here I am again.....Its been a week, I do feel a bit better but really expected to be able to do so much more. I turned 51 last week, have always been active and work 2 jobs. Now I can barlely take a shower, dress and I'm ready for a nap :(

Really getting depressed and tired of people tellimg me oh its just a pacemaker, my so and so had one and was fine the next day!!! 

I feel like such a complainer, but now I cry at the drop of a hat. Not due to see the doctor until A...

Read More...

Golf After Pacemeker Replacement

I'm reaching the end of my battery on my biventricular PM/ICD.  I'm told leads are fine and won't need to be replaced.  Anyone have an estimate of how long before I can resume playing golf (61 yesrs old)?

Jim

Read More...

I feel very dizzy and tired after implant.

Hi,,

I am 65yr old and I feel dizzy and tired after the implant (5 days ago). I am unable to sleep at nights. I also feel very restless after the implant. I have consulted my doctor but there's no substantial issue he said. But I'm still worried. I feel like I might fall down while walking. I also have a strange feeling that someone is pulling me along with my bed. What's happening to me? Please help!!

Read More...

Left or right

Do the doctors usually put in the pacemaker on the left or the right? I’m asking because even though I write with my right hand I do everything else with my left. I use a cane on my left side, I drive with my left, lift everything, etc... there are very few things I do with my right because of an injury I had to my right hand which doesn’t allow me to bend my wrist or turn my wrist. 

Thanks. 

Read More...

Post Op

Hi PM people 😊 Day 3 post op and the pain is awful on the site, my arm and under my breast. Now I have a pretty high pain tolerance but this is not letting up. Was told to take Tylenol and use ice if needed. Am I expecting to much to quickly? I’m not doing anything except just trying to get comfortable to sleep, I’m exhausted πŸ’€ 

Sorry to whine but any thoughts πŸ’­?

Read More...

Rash after implant

Hello,  My son had his epicardial pacer replaced on 7/10. He was released from the hospital the next day and bandage came off on 7/12.  On 7/13 he started to develop a rash only on his trunk and it’s worse around the pacemaker area. Each day it’s getting a little worse.  I’m not really getting any help from the docs. They said it could be from what they use before surgery to clean the body.  But it didn’t develop until days later.  His pacer is...

Read More...

You know you're wired when...

You can shop longer than the Energizer Bunny.

Member Quotes

I still feel great today and canΒ’t stop feeling excited at my "new" life. Modern day miracles through medicine and electronic devices are amazing!