Most Recent Messages in Surgery & Recovery

HCM alcohol septal ablation part 2

(Part 2) This nice lady is going to give you some drugs to help with any pain and to chill you out, if you've never had morphine feels a little weird to start with but don't panic it's fine,, anyway good thing about drugs is that I don't remember any pain or discomfort until they injected the alcohol, they did warn me in advance,, heads up my chest felt tight and yes It wasn't nice but the outcome could be worth the discomfort. Provided there's no problems (m...

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HCM alcohol septal ablation

Well an update for anyone interested in a alcohol septal ablation for HCM sufferers,, I've had it done and here to tell the story.... it all started yesterday at 11.30 in Southampton general hospital cad lab, all booked in then the formula one mode kicks in, height, weight, ECG change into the non CK paper pants and gown that's all done in 5 mins,, then be prepared to loose some short and curlies down there people just in case they decide to go in groin area. Right then it's...

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Site Sore

It's a couple days after two weeks, and I am still sore on the site of the incision, is this normal?  I started sleeping on the left side about a week ago, did I do that too early?   And is there a danger of infection because I did that?  Thank you. 

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Over 11 weeks since last surgery

Hello everyone-

i know I'm on here very irregularly, but I wanted to post my over 2 months update.

the good news- it appears that my blood pressure is way lower than before the implant. I was always over 140 over 100. I'm now around 120, sometimes 110 over 68. Heart rate is good, never below the set amount of 60.

Now saying this, I feel like doctor wise that I've been thrown in the deep end with no further advice. They say they watch my stats through the app, but...

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HCM alcohol septal ablation

Hey guys

I've got a dual unit and have had for about 5 years because of HCM now those lovely people in white coats have suggested a alcohol  septal ablation well booked next week,, pretty keen on it as I should alleviate a lot of my symptoms, so my question is has anyone here had one ???? 

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Pacemaker and surgery

If you had to have caroid artery surgery will having  a pacemaker cause you a problem?  Is there anyone out there that has had cartoid artery surgery with a pacemaker?

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Pace and ablate

I am a 79 year old active lady living in the UK who has had AF since 2006

I am due to have a pacemaker fitted tomorrow with av node ablation following to control my AF which has got out of control when i had to stop Flecainide.

I am apprehensive about tomorrow so hope there are some kind people on here who can alleviate my worries. After the procedure i would like to know how to manage the restrictions on my arm movement. I understand that I will not be able to raise my arm above...

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post pacemaker change pain

I just had my pacemaker changed out after 10 great years of use. I have total heart block, so it is always pacing. The initial implantation was easy. Very little pain. This time I am in quite a bit of pain. During the surgery I could feel so much pressure, like my insides were being really pushed around. The wound is so sore that walking is difficult because my breasts pull down and I can't wear a bra. Everything feels bruised and I wonder if anyone else has encountered this. At time...

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Fluttering sensations

Pacemaker fitted one month ago. In the first week I was getting similar symptoms to pre pm, fluttering, feeling faint etc. I went back and the pm was adjust up from a base level HR of 55bpm to 70bpm. Things are vastly improved since but I still get fluttering, it almost feels like the pm is "kicking in" like a clunky gear change on a car! I'm due to go back to pm clinic in two months. Any advice?

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New Member

I decided to retire Dec 2020 at age 75 but my life of leisure was abruptly interrupted by a stroke 2 weeks later. Hospital discovered that unknown to me I had been experiencing a series of mini strokes. A loop recorder was inserted in my chest to monitor the permanent A-Fib that I had been dealing with for some years previous. After a short stay in hospital with therapy I went home to pick up on where I had left off preparing for a caravanning holiday with wife but again was interrupted by my...

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TAVR Implant Completed

So I had my TAVR implanted yesterday without issue. I already feel better and can breath deeper and have more energy. I'm sure that will continue in the weeks to come.

Pretty much right after my implant, my BP increased which they said is normal. While getting ready for discharge, I had a very short bout of VT that I barely felt, but they saw it on their monitors and wanted to make sure it wasn't valve related. They said it wasn't. Possibly just the heart being pissed about...

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Exercise

this is probably a redundant post! i'm a 16 yr old who is about five days post-op from getting a pacemaker implanted. i was previously very active (however, i had to stop about a couple months ago due to the fact i just had no energy from my heart condition) and i have been itching to resume activity for a LONG time. i was just wondering how long i should wait post surgery to start working out again? my doctor said there was no restriction except for just moving my arm but i'm st...

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TAVR Surger

I am home from TAVR surgery.  I noticed my pacemker kind of hurts a bit...not bad but I am wondering if being moved from bed to table to bed and to table again for a second surgery due to some internal bleeding, if this jarred my pacemaker out of position and if so, will it slip back into place?

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Discharge from hospital

Hi, I am having a Biotronik placed June 1st.  I asked my doctor how long I'll be there and he said it's usually a same day procedure, but to be prepared to stay overnight.  I guess my question is, exactly how long did YOU stay?  I abhor hospitals and want to spend the least amount of time there as possible.  What do I need to do to break out of jail quickly?

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After 1 month of my surgery

It's been more than 1 month after my surgery and I am feeling well. There are no complications or anything except some random pvc's. As I am only 28 years old, I am now a little concerned about my leads. like how many years they are going to be in a proper shape ?! This is the only concern because I read that the lead extraction process is super complicated and a majority of the patients who had to go through this lead revision process ended up having serious heart problems later in t...

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Leadless pacemaker

My son is 13 year old. He had a dual chamber PM implant in March 2023. He is feeling good after the implant. He had two episodes of syncope because of AV block. As my son is too young, I would like to connect with young people with PM implant and would like to know their success stories.

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TAVR Update # ? (I forget)

I heard back from the Interventional Cardiologists offfice today. I am cleared for TAVR without any stenting. Originally he was worried about coronary artery occlusion, but my situation was reviewed by other Boston area specialists along with Carpentier Edwards (Sapien) and all agree I'm good to go. My pre-op is next Wednesday, and my surgery on 06/01. I'll report back as usual. Thanks for all your support! 

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Anxiety with leads being moved

Hi there,

I am almost at 3 weeks now since surgery. I feel great. I'm fully back at work, driving and my life is pretty much back to normal besides not being able to lift five pounds. However, now I'm worried that with me being back to my regular life I might have pushed myself too hard and my leads might have moved. There's no sign to point to that but I just have anxiety. Is there any sign that would tell me my leads have moved? Should I be worried? It's jus the return...

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Update - TAVR

I saw the Interventional Cardiologist the other day. He is concerned that my left coronary artery could get occluded by my current valve leaflet when they are pushed aside by the new valve. He said I would have a heart attack on the table - OUCH! He said it is too close for him to decide alone so he is putting it out to other cardiologists as well as Carpentier Edwards as he is looking at the Sapien Valve. The surgeon doesn't think it is an issue. However, I'm glad for this doctor'...

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Post implant dizziness

Does anyone have experience of have dizziness after in the days after PM implant?

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You know you're wired when...

You invested in the Energizer battery company.

Member Quotes

I'm 35 and got my pacemaker a little over a year ago. It definitely is not a burden to me. In fact, I have more energy (which my husband enjoys), can do more things with my kids and have weight because of having the energy.