Sub-Muscular Pacemaker Implant

Has anyone had a submuscular implant, who could share their recovery experience? I just had my PM implanted yesterday. My EP implanted it submuscular for cosmetic reasons, and he did an amazing job. I know the recovery will take longer than just under the skin, but would like to hear others' experience. I'm tentatively scheduled to return to work (non physical job) on 5/31 and trying to see if this is reasonable.
Thanks,
Dawn

8 Comments

should be ok next week

by Tracey_E - 2011-05-26 03:05:09

As long as you don't have to bend or lift, next week should be fine as long as you feel up to it and your dr has cleared you. We all heal differently, but I was back to most normal activities within a week, just moving more slowly sometimes.

I love having mine buried! The longer healing is totally worth it.

my sub muscular was less painful

by kathykat11 - 2011-05-26 06:05:48

than my original. I felt great afterward, especially compared to the original put in only 4-5 months earlier. I actually had to watch what I was doing because I felt so much better, my glue was in danger. I would say you should be good to go if your doctor has okayed it. I call my pacemaker buried treasure now. What I called it before could not be printed here.
Kathykat11

buried treasure

by roy haycock - 2011-05-27 10:05:08

I like Kathy's humour, just what is needed on this site.
I had my treasure buried last Septimberand have had no adverse effcts since. I took things easily for two weeks and then forgot that it was there!
Roy

Question

by kermiehiho - 2011-05-29 09:05:31

How can you tell if it's submuscular (other than asking the doctor)? Can you still feel the pacemaker if you kind of press around the area, but not see the outline of the device itself?

Submuscular

by DawnM - 2011-05-29 10:05:42

I'm only 4 days post-op, so it's still hard to tell exactly what my end result will be, as I still have stitches, bruising and perhaps a bit of swelling, but there is just a small raised area under the incision site, but no defining outline of a pacemaker. My surgical consent form also indicated "submuscular." It is not as common, but my doctor discussed this option with me when we scheduled the surgery, as he knew how concerned I was with the esthetics of having a pacemaker. He actually joked with me afterward that he spent more time doing cosmetic surgery than he did implanting the pacemaker.
Dawn

Not Visible

by kermiehiho - 2011-05-31 03:05:31

Thanks Dawn. I was just wondering because I'd seen pictures of people with pacemakers where I can see the outline of the pacemaker. I was concerned after the procedure that I would look like that too, but I can only feel mine if I press around it a bit. I don't recall what I signed; maybe I'll ask the cardiologist next time.

Hardly Noticeable

by DawnM - 2011-06-26 05:06:11

I am feeling pretty good with the PM, though still struggling with finding the right beta blocker to treat my tachy episodes. Feeling altogether better though. I'm a month post op now and healing well. My incision is close to the left shoulder pocket, and hides nicely under a halter style swim suit. The incision is only about an inch and a half long. There's barely a raise in the skin, and if you didn't know I had a PM, you'd never notice it. I can feel a firmer area where the PM is, but I can't tell the shape. If yours is not submuscular, I would definitely request it when it's time for a replacement.
Good luck to you.
Dawn

lucky you!

by michelefromthemitten - 2011-06-26 10:06:59

I went into surgery thinking I was getting a sub-muscular placement of the PM, but coming out of surgery my EP said he found a nice place to hide it under the tissue. I can now feel the edge of the PM by my armpit, and I can see it in the mirror if I move my arms a certain way, but everyone else has told me that they cannot see it.
Where is your incision located?
How are you feeling?

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