PM inserted under the skin vs more into the muscle

I am going to my cardiologist on January 23 rd and then have an appointment scheduled with the surgeon. I would like your thoughts on having my PM inserted just under the skin or more into the muscle. If it makes a difference I will be getting an MRI compatible PM. I have a complete left Bundle Block and Cardiomyopothy. I don't want it to show or hurt when wearing a bra or using a seatbelt in the car. I understand changing the battery with it just being under the skin is easier than when it is in the muscle. I want to be able to wear a bathing suit so I can swim but and don't want the straps to hurt. I am not so concerned about the scar. I just don't want to feel it in there all the time. I guess you get use to it in time. I am making a list of questions for the Doctors so any input you have would be great. This web site has made me feel less anxious about having a PM. Thanks!

4 Comments

varies

by Tracey_E - 2013-01-07 04:01:29

How noticeable and comfortable it is depends on your build, your surgeon, which device they choose for you. The easiest way to implant it is just under the skin, just under the collarbone. Some women find this is uncomfortable for a while, some never get comfortable. They can put it a little lower and a little deeper without going all the way under the pectoral, they can put it off to the side closer to your armpit, they can go between the pectorals, you can go all crazy like mine and put it under the breast (don't recommend that, my first one was quite a bit larger than they are now so it would be overkill!).

Everything is a trade off. The more they bury it, the longer recovery. It's not awful or anything, I got by on Tylenol after the first couple of days, but I was considerably more sore than average. Now that it's healed, I wouldn't trade it for anything! I love to hike so it's important to me to be able to carry a heavy backpack without it rubbing. I can barely feel the edges of it, it's totally buried and I can forget it's there.

Start by talking to your surgeon. Tell him your concerns, tell him about your lifestyle, ask where he usually places it. More and more surgeons have started taking our comfort into consideration rather than automatically placing it in the easiest place so it may not even be an issue.

UM

by ebfox - 2013-01-07 06:01:36

Hello Texas Lady,

Like Tracey says, you have options- from your earlier post it sounded like you didn't want see the lump and that puts you in the under the muscle club. There is a little more pain associated with that, but based on how many people have done it that way, it is no big deal.

Most likely in several months you will forget it's there- that is the goal.

Good luck with the surgeon and let us know-

EB

Under muscle

by Texas54 - 2013-01-09 11:01:27

Thanks, I am bony also so I plan to ask for this type of insertion of my PM. I can deal with the pain. Did you need to be on pain meds and if so how long?

couple of days

by Tracey_E - 2013-01-11 10:01:00

I didn't take them during the day once I got home, only at night to sleep.I got by on tylenol the rest of the time, nothing after the first week. I am probably not average, others seem to take more than that. I found it uncomfortable more than painful, a sharp twinge if I moved the wrong way for weeks or an ache at the end of the day if I overdid it. Not bad enough to take anything, just enough to slow me down and have me moving more cautiously.

They usually put us in a sling for the first day. Most of us are told not to wear it once we get home but I put it on when I was in public, it helps keep people at a distance so you don't get bumped, reminds friends you're not ready for hugs yet.

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