Most Recent Messages in Surgery & Recovery

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Successful surgery

Hi All

 

i had my lead extraction (4 leads), two new leads placed (left bundle) and new generator put in on Nov 5th at Cedaf Sinai in Los Angeles by Dr. Raymond Schaerf.

they accessed through both femoral arteries (1. For temporary pacing the other for a camera I believe or just access to the heart)

Surgery took about 5 hours from the 2-3 expected. Some procedure notes: ( ‼️ WARNING ‼️ may be too graphic for some )

"She was placed asleep but did require...

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Hernia Surgery with pacemaker

Has anyone had hernia surgery with a pacemaker and if so any complications or issues I should be aware of?  I had conventional surgery in April for a left inguinal hernia and now I need a right surgery. Since my April surgery where I had complications with a hematoma I have had my aortic valve replaced in August with a TVAR and a dual chamber pacemaker in September.  
 

Any comments and or questions please let me know. 
 

CW

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Dizziness post surgery

I am new to the forum, having surgery for a pacemaker 10 days ago. I'm 75 and still very active,  and live in Ontario Canada, north of Toronto.  I was diagnosed with a Level 4 block.

The pacemaker is a Medtronic Azure S DR MRI SafeScan. I have not received my card yet, so I don't know any of the settings. The temporary card only gives make and model.

i have an issue with slight to moderate dizziness.  This seems to come on only during light walking exercise....

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Swelling

I am 3 and a half weeks post op and my scar is looking great.  The only thing that is bothering me is that my incision site is still swollen.  It has gone way down, but is still swollen nonetheless.  Is this normal? I really thought all of the swelling would be gone by now.  I have been using my arm regularly, but am going to be glad when I can start raising it above my shoulders.  

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Pacemaker installed last week - I have some unanswered questions

Hello,

I had a Medtronic Azure XT implanted a week ago, and I still have several unanswered questions.  I had a total AV node block and a bpm under 30 at which time a fainted for a few seconds.

I have been trying to get answers to some of my questions from the hospital and my healt care plan but without complete success.  I assume that my pacemaker has been configured from some baseline before my operation, but it has not been adjusted since then.

My blood prr...

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Wish me luck!

Tomorrow I leave for Los Angeles (about an hour flight for me)

Monday pre op testing & physical 

Tuesday 5th (Election day 🫣) I have to be at the hospital (Cedar Sinai) for 5am. 7am procedure start.

on the agenda:

remove and replace duel chamber pacemaker 

lead extraction X4 (2/26yrs old & 2/16 years old)

placement of two new leads (hopefully on left side) I'm a righty but after lead abandonment on left side they moved everything to th...

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chest pain after pacemaker implantation

Is it normal to have chest pain after a pacemaker (dual chamber) has been implanted?  That is my only complaint and I can't tell if I'm panicking or it's really there.  It feels like a heavy weight on the center of my chest.  Otherwise, everything seems fine.  

Thanks in advance!

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Major Surgery Being 100% Paced

Surgery day started off with a rainy drive to the hospital.  I spent 4-hours in surgery having my whole thyroid gland removed as it turned out to have cancer.  I have lost my voice which the doctor says should return in a day or so.  I feel like a truck has run me over.

My anesthesiologist spent a lot of time talking to be before surgery as he went over my cardiac history of events.  I took a list of questions with me that he answered for me.  Having my dual cha...

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Travel immediately after op

I am due to travel by train two days after the pacemaker implant. Is this wise or should I cancel? Any thoughts, please?

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looks like second ablation

Looks like I am headed for a second ablation to fight the afib, That is what my EP is recommending.  First one was in 2021 and had good results for a while but afib is back even on the Tykosin.  Reason for advising second abaltion is becasue the Afib is intermitent.  I was scheduled for a cardioversion but right before I was to go for procedure i went back into sinus rythm.  The second ablation recomendation isnt really a surprise since I have heard/read to have better suc...

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Pacemaker Placement

I'm five months post CRT pacemaker. I have concerns as to how close under my skin the device sits. I can literally feel the hard edges on all sides. It's also got a higher "profile" and I have already accidentally bumped it on a hard surface and wow did that hurt!! 

Had anyone's surgeon discussed how close to the outer skin the device would sit and why? What's been your experience?  The only thing my surgeon told me with regard to placement, was that...

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Post pace maker insertion pain. Is this normal?

My pacemaker was put in 2 days ago.  I have a lot of pain around the pocket area.  Sometimes it feels like a tens unit on too high with a lot of pulling.  Has anyone experienced this?  Does anyone know what is wrong.  It is Saturday and I can't reach my doctor

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radiofrequency ablation then pulsed field ablation for Afib

This question is for folks that have experience with having these 2 types of ablations.

Did you notice any different recovery for the differnet type. I had radiofrequency a few years back and it was working pretty well but now afib is coming around a bit more than I or the dr would like.  Th erecovery wasnt as easy as I anticipated.  My most likely course of action is a second ablation but using the pulsed field method.  I am curious for anyone that has had experienc...

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JUST HAD A PACEMAKER

Hello all, I am 63 and was rushed to hospital in England having collapsed 2 weeks ago. The wonderful NHS fitted a pacemaker 2 days later. Unfortunately they didn't give me beta blockers to go home with and I thought my heart would burst out of my chest the following morning.

 

I am now on beta blockers and feel MUCH better but am still anxious every time I feel a twinge in my heart or by blood pressure surges. It was only 2 weeks ago I had the procedure so I know it's...

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Pacemaker Replacement Surgery

I'm assuming that when they replace my pacemaker it's going to be an outpatient surgery. My leads are still good thankfully. I see the surgeon next week so he'll likely tell me for certain then.

What would make pacemaker replacement an inpatient surgery? This is my first replacement. I'm hoping it's outpatient but even if it's inpatient it's fine.

My pacemaker is almost old enough to drive in some states 😂. How much have pacemakers changed in 15 years a...

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subpectoral pacemaker implant

I am a physically active 68 year old male having my pacemaker moved to under my subpectoral muscle due to discomfort and movement of my pacemaker implanted pre-pectoral last December . Can anyone comment on the their pain experience in recovering from a subpectoral  PM implant surgery?

 Thank you

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Dual leadless pacemaker experiences

Hello,

Any experiences with a dual leadless pacemaker for Braycardia ? The process, placement, recovery, pacing etc... any info positive or negative is appreciated as I will start down this road come January. 36 yr old F. 
 

 

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Pneumothorax

Has anyone ever had a pneumothorax when they got their pacemaker?

Wednesday, while implanting his pacemaker, the needle punctured his lung.  He has been in the Critical Care Unit since Wednesday.  This morning, they removed the  air tube.  By 2:00, his lung was partially collapsed again.  They reinserted an air tube and say he has to remain in CCU at least another two days.  In the meantime, his Afib has returned.  Hasn't had Afib since his ab...

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Battery Change after 14 years

After 14 years, my pacer is finally out of juice, officially running on "low power mode" and waiting to schedule surgery ASAP. Dual chamber, I am 100% dependant on this baby!

I was told my battwries would last 8-10 years. I'm at 14+ so Im happy.  I was 26 upon first surgery,  it's been so long, I've forgotten a lot of the initial struggles, pains, fears, anxiety.

My question, how much pain, tenderness, limited movement, etc will I have aft...

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Pre Op Surgery Visit

I’m scheduled to have my thyroid gland removed on October 31st (Halloween) and have a pre-op visit on October 10th. Since I’m 100% paced with a dual chamber pacemaker, I’ve been told there are some concerns about the effects of the anesthesia on my heart.

Another concern is the use of the electronic knife (electrocautery) during surgery, as it will be close to my pacemaker leads. To address this, the hospital is bringing in another surgeon and my cardiac doctor for add...

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I wasn't really self-conscious about it. I didn't even know I had one until around six or seven years old. I just thought I had a rock in my side.