Most Recent Messages in Surgery & Recovery

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Liquid stitches

Hi i'm a new PM recipient as of last week and I'm so glad to have found this group and the great discussions on this site. I was curious to know if anyone has ever had their incision closed with liquid stitches before? My incision seems to be healing ok with it, but I'm getting some spotting or seeping that I notice by the end of the day. I guess I'm trying to understand what's normal and how long before this stuff comes off.

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I'm in pain!

Here I am in the middle of the night on day 2 after my pacemaker surgery. Am I just about the only one who suffered significant pain during the surgery and after? My cardiologist told me he was going to give me Fentanyl and Valium during th surgery. He agreed to give me these two medications. I wondered why I was wide awake and feeling every cut and suture. I winced and made sounds when it was too much to bear. The nurse responsible for administering the medications during the procedure was...

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Excercise

Since my replacement on Monday, I've hung out with the fam and done plenty of walking...went to the zoo, shopping, etc. But everyday when I get home I've been exhausted and took a nap. I've yet to do anything to really get this baby going. How long did it take some of you to really get after it and not be tired. I do live in Texas so the heat could be a contributing factor to me tiring out. I was thinking about hitting the gym and getting on the treadmill tomorrow. A little nervous about b...

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Sideways?

HAd my PM replaced Monday...took the bnadages off yesterday and judging by the bulge, I think my Doc might have put it in sideways...meaning flipped 90 degrees. Anyone elses implanted that way? I guess I will find out for sure at my 2 week follow up. If he did, I'm sure there was a reason. Maybe to give the leads a bit more slack? Anyways, had it done at the Texas Heart Institute so I know these guys know what they're doing. Weird.

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Post surgery blues

Maybe I am just being paranoid, but I have lived with a pacemaker for 28 years now (am 31), am pacemaker dependent, and just got my new Medtronic Adapta ADDRL1 on Monday, have had the same leads for 16 years now...never really gave anything a second thought until I googled medtronic and read all the horror stories of PM glitches. For the 1st time in 28 years I kind've gotten nervous even paranoid with every flutter or slight pain (remember just had surgery Monday, still recovering). Damn the i...

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Just had 1st PM implanted on 6/7/10

Hello, I am new to this website and have found lots of answers and information already within just 10 days of having a pacemaker implanted. I have been off of work for 2 weeks and am able to go back with restrictions starting monday. I sleep with a mobilizer to keep me from putting my arm near my head while sleeping. I am nervous about the restrictions I will have the rest of my life, since some of those restrictions will be a problem with the jobs I perform but my main question is this....

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Feeling faint

Hi Everyone,
I just had a pacemaker installed last Wednesday 6/9. Everything went fine and I have a Dr visit set for next Thursday. My question is, I still feel a little faint when I get up from a chair or lift my head up. Is this normal? Is this because my heart has to catch up to my head? Obviously, this is all new to me and I'd like to know if this is something I should be concerned about and should I contact my Dr.
Thanks,
Danny

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Pacemaker replaced today!

First time getting my PM replaced and NOT being put to sleep. Didn't get nervous til they started wheeling me down to surgery. Then got VERY nervous, but the sedatives were great...just made me pretty sleepy and the surgery zipped by. Only awkward thing was since I am pacemaker dependent, they inserted a pacing wire through my groin and all the way up into my heart to pace me while they changed the device. As the wire went through my stomach area and into my heart it felt very weird. I was...

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new pacemaker and two leads

so it's been 3 week since my PM implant and I am really feeling great for the most part. My incision feels and looks good. . at night still having discomfort but i am taking day by day

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Stitches

When I had my PM implanted 3 weeks they put in stitches does anyone know how long they take to disolve just wondering because the doctor never told me and im not due to see them for about 4 weeks. Never having stitches before I have know clue.
Mel

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Surgery today!

Hi all,

I will be checking in at noon today, Austin, TX time, for my fifth ablation. After meeting with the EP a few days ago he knows I want him to be as aggressive as possible and that will likely lead to a pacemaker. He does not want to put it in today for some reason, he wants to wait until tomorrow. He was not too keen on the idea of a pacer and is hoping that just the ablation will help... but I think we all know the pacer is inevitable.

I have not been on here that...

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Weirded out/Nervous

I have had a pacemaker for 28 years (I am 31 yrs. old) however, this Monday will be my first replacement surgery in which I am not being put to sleep. I would love to hear experiences from those who have experienced this procedure. I am pacemaker dependent, so how do they pace your heart when your device is out of your body? do you feel your heart rate change? i hear they sometimes put you into cardiac arrest to test your device, this true? Anyways, just a device change, no leads, but weirde...

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Hi all

so it's been 1 week since my PM implant and I am really feeling great for the most part. My incision feels and looks good. I was having some pain in my upper chest opposite my incision when I would take deep breathes or while walking around. when I called the doc, they wanted me to head up to the pacer clinic at Loyola for a check. so that's what we did yesterday. Had the pacer checked, they even gave me a print out, although I have no idea what any of that means LOL it does, however, look good...

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Back to Work?

My last replacement surgery, did not require my leads to be changed, just pulled a bit to give me more slack and I was told not to lift anything for 6 weeks. Now 10 years later, they're telling me I will only be out of work for 1 week. My job requires lifting up to 50 lbs., some overhead lifting. Is this reasonable? Not that I'm trying to milk this and get 6 weeks off again, but remembering previous recoveries, I'd atleast suspect 2-4 weeks. Surgery is Monday. Comments?

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Upcoming Surgery

I am a 44 year old male who is fairly active. I play softball two days a week and golf twice a week.
My doctor recommends a pacemaker to help with my cardiogentic syncope.
What is the average recovery time. How long before I can play golf and/or softball.

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Post Op Question

I had a Medtronic defib - pacemaker - CRT device implated 2 days ago. My question is when I lye on my left side I feel a twitch - kinda like a hiccup - not sure if I would call it a shock. It doesn't hurt but its just odd that it happens on my left side only....as soon as I turn to my back or right side it goes away...

Any advice?

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Having my first pacemaker implant on thursday

Hi, I'm having my first pacemaker implant on Thursday June3rd and of course's a bit nervous. I'm having it done at Loyola in Maywood, IL. Any one have one there? Concerned of course about recovery and having 3 kids to take care of yet..Been reading lots about the surgery, some super scary some no big deals. LOL concerned about bras but have read several posts already and may be heading to the bra specialty shop soon. thinkI will rely on my tummy hiding tanks for a while :o)
just looking fo...

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St. Judes 5826 implanted on 5/5

Haven't had mine in for quite a month yet. Had it prescribed after years of afib-tachycardia. Suddenly had complete heart block and this seemed like the best response. Still taking sectrol and flecanaide for the tachycardia.
Healing nicely but sometimes I feel more tired than usual and my heartbeat doesn't seem quite right. No pain, nothing that seems serious but just feels a little odd sometimes.
Any thoughts?
Thank you,
jack

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Post insertion recovery

Hello to all
I was released from the Montreal Heart Institute yesterday, 24-hours after having received my first pacemaker. I think someone forgot to give me a full release package, because I realize that I've got many unanswered questions. I intend to call the hospital tomorrow, but in case I have trouble in getting answers, I'd like to get your opinion on things.
1) I suspect that I shouldn't drive for a few days. Am I correct? 2) If so, what would be the normal period?
3) My...

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Two Weeks Post PM Surgery

Hi all - just wanted to thank everyone for all the great advise on this site. I am two weeks post surgery today. I am feeling like a million bucks - well maybe a hundred thousand for sure. I took my PM out for a test drive yesterday. Walked up a hill at a nice pace and I was able to do it. I did notice lots of sharp pains in my chest and thought the PM must be working. I am still having pain in the incision site and shoulder area. Wearing a sports bra but the girls are still bouncing when...

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You know you're wired when...

The mortgage on your device is more than your house.

Member Quotes

I feel so blessed to have this little gem implanted in me. When I think of the alternative it is quite overwhelming sometimes.