Placement under arm vs traditional

I am a 27 year old female that is going to have a new pacemaker placed. I have one in my abdomen that was replaced 3 months ago but it is inappropriately zapping my intestines and so we're going to place it in the adult position. My EP gave me the option of either traditional (cut into the shoulder) or under my armpit. I am absolutely getting it placed under my muscle but haven't decided which spot to get it placed. Has anyone had under the arm placement? How does that work with under wire and visibility? Any guidance would be great.

Thanks!
Erica

6 Comments

Visible under arm

by Pacemum - 2014-01-07 06:01:12

I know a few children who have them under their arm and it is visible to the eye when arm is raised. However, the children that I do know have them are very thin.

Under collar bone

by Theknotguy - 2014-01-07 09:01:16

Woke up in the hospital with the PM implanted under the collar bone in front of vein going into heart. Have the scar just below the shoulder and the lump.

Since I volunteer at a wood shop, this placement gives me the maximum protection with the minimum of aggravation.

The next question is kids? Don't know if you have or plan to have. That means a lot of activity, lumps, and bumps. While the underarm may seem more protected it doesn't allow for snuggling those squiggly warm bodies with rock hard heads.

Personal feeling is to get the implant under the collar bone. Then get the cream that makes surgery scars disappear. The PM lump probably won't be noticeable except for bikini wear - but who cares. The people who care don't care and the rest don't matter.

Sounds like you have a lot of living to do. Hope everything goes well.

Theknotguy

placement

by Tracey_E - 2014-01-07 10:01:14

I can't comment on under the arm but I can vouch for the benefits of burying it. I was 27 and very underweight when I got my first one. They put it in from the side so the scar is covered by my bra, then tunneled under and buried it under the breast. My cardiac surgeon had never done anything but the usual placement so he brought in a plastic surgeon to help. Imo, this is overkill now though I highly recommend the plastic surgeon. Pm's are smaller now and can do something similar from a small incision on the chest. They can do the incision lower than usual so it's covered by a tank and most bathing suit tops. They can put it between the pectorals or under breast tissue. Really, it depends how you're built, the important thing is it's not right on the surface and the incision is well placed.

Having the incision on the side, it was about 3 months before I could comfortably wear a regular bra. I got by in tanks with the built in shelf bra. It's the same after every replacement (I'm on #4). It was a big pain when I had a lead go bad a few years ago, had to put the new lead in a different vein then tunnel to get it connected to the pm.

Advantages... No lump, I can barely feel the edges of it if I poke around looking for it. Nearly invisible scar, you'd never see it unless I'm in a string bikini (NOT happening anyway lol). I had two babies, nursed both of them, no issues having a hunk of titanium in there. It does tell me when my period is due! It doesn't hurt, but I'm aware of it the day before, much more accurate than counting on the calendar. Mammograms are not a problem, though it does resemble a bowl of spaghetti with one big meatball. I love to hike, no problems with carrying a backpack. It is very comfortable, really I can forget it's there.

If I were doing it again today knowing what I know now, I'd want it right where it is now, but put in from the chest rather than the side.

Thank you!

by cheshirealice - 2014-01-07 11:01:01

I really appreciate the feedback so I can make the right decision. I'm just concerned about an ugly looking scar. I have an open heart scar and several drainage tube scars along with this abdominal pacer scar but I've never felt self conscience about this until my last placement. One day I want to wear a strapless wedding dress and it's silly to say, but I don't want some huge scar marring my upper chest as well.

I'm sure as time goes the scar will fade but the lump, even if it's a small one, makes me feel sad. I'm not a dependent pacer and luckily they last me 10-15 years so here's to burying it deep in my tissue and not thinking of it for a long time.

scars

by Tracey_E - 2014-01-08 04:01:46

A good plastic surgeon is like a magician. The scar on my upper chest done by the plastic surgeon is nearly invisible. Keep it moist and out of the sun the first year and it should fade even if it does end up in a place where you could see it with a strapless dress.

scars

by rnff2 - 2014-01-09 11:01:51

I completely understand your concern about your scars. I have 2 open heart scars intertwined together, even though I asked my doc to make sure it looked pretty, and several drainage tube scars and now my pacemaker scar, not to mention 2 abdominal scars. I never minded my scars till the 2nd open heart scar 4 years ago and then last May when I had my pm put in. I have had a lot of difficulty accepting the pm and the scar even though neither are very visible to anyone but me, it caused alot of anxiety and still does and I'm not sure why. But my doctor put my pm scar on and angle out towards my shoulder/arm pit, and it actually looks like a crease in my skin most of the time and is actually not very noticable and my pacemaker is placed lower and to the left of normal, and buried and also not very noticable...just another thought for your placement. Good luck with your decision and your new pacemaker.

You know you're wired when...

You have a $50,000 chest.

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