Revision - second scar?

My device migrated under my arm ... new surgeon said I never had enough muscle to keep it in place and that he wouldn't have ever put it under my muscle (I have a pretty runty upper body) ... so I had it moved the day before thanksgiving.

He was supposed to go through the original incision, but I woke up with a second incision about an inch and a half under the original one. When he came into my hospital room to explain things I had JUST been given pain medication so was in no condition to ask questions, so I have to wait until my post op appointment. But ... has anyone else experienced this? If so, what was your surgeons reasoning? I'm trying not to be too upset, but I was JUST getting used to the one scar, and now I will have two.

5 Comments

A guess on my part

by Theknotguy - 2013-11-30 05:11:29

I'm not a doctor so this isn't medical information. Just a guess from a lay person.

I'm thinking the doc found the same problem when he used the old incision. He had to find a new location and you ended up with a new scar. Sorry 'bout that.

However I'd take a second scar if it keeps the PM from moving around and helps my quality of life.

Hope this helps.

Theknotguy

old one

by Tracey_E - 2013-11-30 10:11:10

Did he go in through both or only the new location? Wondering if maybe he started on the old one but had a problem and had to start from a new place.

When I had my last replacement I also needed a new lead. The first surgeon I talked to insisted he had to go in right on top of where the pm was placed. My original surgeon went in from the side (about where the underwire on my bra hits) and tunneled through to bury the pm in the breast tissue. This new guy was adamant that he could not go in that way. I found another surgeon who rolled his eyes at the first one and said it would not be a problem to go in through the old incision. I think it just has to do with the surgeon. EP's are basically electricians, concerned primarily with the heart function, not the small details of things like the incision. That's just my theory.

I got my first pm in 1994. Over the years, I've ended up with 3 incisions. One from the pm (opened 4x now for replacements) and two smaller ones for leads. After a few months, they blend right in and you can't see them. Just keep them moist as they heal. A plastic surgeon told me it doesn't much matter what we use, just that we keep it moisturized and out of the sun. I hope it heals so that you are happy with it! Remember that no one else scrutinizes the scars like we do in the mirror, most people don't even notice.

second incision

by Heart_strings - 2013-12-01 02:12:01

I just posted some pictures in the gallery .... my first incision turned into a hypertrophic scar. My body is a fan of these. What started as a nice, neat, thin, glued and steri-striped incision turned into a thick, dark and raised scar. Aside from being not pretty, it HURTS.

So my device was placed under my muscle in June of this year. I followed all my post op instructions -- wear a bra, no lifting, take it fairly easy for a couple weeks .... and it migrated and actually was sort of floating under my muscle. When I lifted my arm you could grab it in my armpit. I went with the same group of doctors, but a new surgeon in the group and we discussed him going through the original incision, removing the device from under my muscle, and possibly placing it under my skin if he had to.

I wake up with this second incision, and the device is under my skin. under the bandage. Today, four days after the revision, the device has migrated probably 4-5 inches below the bandage, to the top of my breast on the far outside. It has been burning a lot today. I just don't get it. Aren't they supposed to stitch these things in place? What questions should I ask? besides what happened???

Someone asked if they opened up the original incision -- I can't tell, I don't think so. And I understand the badge of honor, and this thing is keeping me alive, and I do value that more than my skin -- but this second incision was not discussed (not even as a possibility).

Scar? What scar?

by rfassett - 2013-12-01 09:12:04

I have a badge - and I wear it proudly!

call

by Tracey_E - 2013-12-01 10:12:56

Yeah, I'd be mad too, about not discussing with you the possibility of another incision and also the migration. Yes, they should be stitched into place. That doesn't mean they won't move anyway, but that's a lot of movement in a few days. Ask to be seen this week, let them see what's going on and get the story on the new incision.

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