Surgery to Remove leads/tomorrow


I have had my pacemaker since 2000 - my pacemaker dislodged in December - it is now infected and I am in so much discomfort. I am having sugery TOMORROW - my doctor (NYC) is removing the pacemaker and leads, I also have excessive scar tissue and he will use the laser to "clean it up" - He is putting in a new pacemaker on the right side. Does anyone know how long the surgery will take ? I found a site and read that to remove a lead takes 2-4 hours!!!!! the discomfort after the surgery cannot be any worse than I am experiencing now. Please give me some advice - I am a wreck!! Kathy

6 Comments

Less than 2 hours

by heckboy - 2008-04-14 02:04:31

Hi,

I had one lead extracted and replaced with my PM recently. I recall being back in recovery at just about 2 hours. I checked in at 6:30 for a 73:0 surgery and recall being woken up at 9:30. My surgery went very well with no complications... recovery was easier this time around than the first.... less painful and faster for whatever reason.

I trust you'll feel better after. Good luck and don't worry.

Wishing You My Best ...

by Lou - 2008-04-14 03:04:20

I had two leads extracted and a reimplantation on my right side done approximately three+ weeks after my initial PM implant in late '06. The procedure took about an hour or so. However, since I had the PM such a short time before it was moved, I imagine the scar tissue in my heart if any was minimal but there were screws to unscrew, etc.,. I experienced the same level of soreness and discomfort with both placements. In any event, I wanted you to know that there are several of us who for one reason or another have had their PMs moved. Listen to Bambi, that is, enjoy some laughter with family and/or friends today and relax as best you can. Also know, Kathy, that I am sending you all the "positive vibrations" I can muster and will be doing so tomorrow as well. All good things in the days and weeks ahead ... Lou

Wishing you well!

by Swedeheart - 2008-04-14 04:04:54

Kathy22,

I am just 7 weeks since first implant... but I want to wish you well and a speedy recovery. Getting the infection taken care of will be a huge improvement, I am sure! Because of the infection, etc. they may want to keep you a day or two (not sure...) but if they do enjoy having the folks wait on you and rest!

Please keep us informed of your progress ~ we are sending "good vibes" from California too!

Swedeheart

It will be fine!

by bambi - 2008-04-14 10:04:21

Hi Kathy,
I had my leads removed 2 summers ago because of a bad blockage in my SVC. The leads were removed, a stent was put in my SVC [that's the big vein most of our pacemaker leads are threaded down], then the leads were replaced. I think the time frame they give you is an average. I also had my 1st pacemaker put in in 2000, and the Dr. estimated it would take anywhere from 2-3 hours to remove the original leads using a laser. It actually took 1 hour! Until they get in there, there's no way to know what they'll actually find! You must have read that the Dr. must proceed slowly so there is no perforation of the SVC or heart. You will be under general anesthesia, so I wouldn't worry about the time frame! I'd rather they take their time, wouldn't you? As for the pain, I experienced the same soreness I did when they put my 1st pacemaker in, and also my 2nd one. No more, no less. You are right in assuming you will feel better than you do now! Please put your fears in God's hands, He will sustain you! You should spend the day with friends, have a great dinner, a few laughs, and try to sleep tonight! Let us know how you get on! Hope this helps some.
Bambi

A resource

by swilson10 - 2008-04-14 11:04:17

Kathy,
The MD who completed my lead extraction last summer has a web site that gives a lot of good information about this procedure. I encourage you to check out www.leadextraction.com (click on the options under lead extractions). I wish you the very best of luck and hope that you will have a speedy recovery.

how did you do?

by tedlutz3 - 2008-04-24 06:04:19

let us know how you did with the lead work.
i had an implant feb. 18 and had to have lead replaced on march 18. doc says it wasn't my fault or his fault that the lead dislodged. he used a different brand as a replacement. you should be fine. ask your doc. they do a lot of similar work.
ted

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