Follow up/post surgery

• by Tick-tock
• 2014-04-08 10:04:19
• General Posting
• 975 views
• 3 comments

Just wanted to send out a follow up from my surgery on Friday 4/4. I had an ablation, lead extraction, and pacemaker revision. I am happy that I was under general anesthesia again:) my EP started with the ablation, then moved up to the pacemaker. The entire procedure only took 5.5 hours. Afterwards I had a bit of trouble waking up. I was on bedrest for 6 hours after, laying flat on my back. The worst part was having to void, and not being able to get out of bed. I ended up needed to be cathed, but that's no biggie. I was in a lot of pain after, took morphine once- was not effective. Switched to oral Percocet which was a bit better. I had trouble sleeping, the nurse ended up giving me toradol, which was amazing. She said that with the ablation, she's seen it's been very effective due to the inflammation. I only ended up staying in the hospital overnight. The next day I was very sore ( only in my chest), but managed to go directly to the pub from the hospital for a sandwich. They probably thought I was some druggie , as I looked quite a mess-had a huge ice pack tucked in my shirt and walked like a zombie. The things we will do for food. The pacemaker was inserted in my left side - same as my last one which was only 5 months ago. However due to being small, I'm not found of my pm site. My pacer is placed just above my nipple (sorry if tmi). I must admit it is way better than my last one which ended up in my arm pit. My groin site (from ablation) was not sore until yesterday. I'm very bruised, slightly swollen, but able to get around. Anyway- my experience this time around seems much better. I actually put on real clothes today and went shopping. For the ladies in the group- I went bra shopping, and found the razor back, front clasp bra the easiest for me. Wish I would have thought of this last time. Pas far as my ablation site, it is very sore, and found boy short underwear the most comfortable, as there are no seams directly over the groin incision site. Thank you every for the well wishes! I will continue to be out of work for 4-6 weeks, as I am required to use both arms and lift heavy things (patients). I am so amazed at the amount of healing I have already had as opposed to my first go around with this which was only 5-6 months ago!!!!