Replacing my Pm/Icd this week

Hi, I have had my pm/icd for 6 yrs. batteries are low, went to the surgent and they are going to change it on thursday. telling me leads are ok, so they will take the old one out and put in a new metronic. they said i can go home the same day and back to work on monday. has anyone had this done, and how did you feel after it was changed. jbkeys

7 Comments

Best wishes!

by Swedeheart - 2008-03-22 01:03:29

I have not had this done as I am a newbie with a pacemaker. But I want to wish you the best and a fast recovery.

I do know for folks that are generally otherwise healthy that this procedure is far less than the initial implant. My doctor explained when it is my time for replacement I will get a local anesthetic, they will remove the old pacemaker, insert a new one and check it all out... stitch me back up and I would be good to go. He said they just keep you a few hours and send you home. I am sure there is some adjustment and recovery time but I am hoping it won't be so much as the initial implant.

If your leads are still viable that is wonderful news! The only "bad" thing I have read about replacements is that the possible pocket site infection rate is higher for some reason.

Let us know how you do following your replacement. We will be interested in how you are!

Had it done in Nov. 07

by NH - 2008-03-22 04:03:23

My experience was I went in as an outpatient about 9:00 am and I came home that evening about 7:00 pm. It was an easy procedure and such. The only requirement to go home is you have to be able to get up and walk down the hall without assistance. I did that and I was dismissed.

The hard part has been getting my strength and stamina back. I traveled too soon after my procedure and it set me back. I then spent some days at home on the sofa resting up.

I think going back to work on Monday is way too soon. It is surgery and your body needs to recover. Ask your Dr. if he/she will put on your paper at least 2 weeks before returning to work. A month would be better.

I say this because I went to your bio. sheet and checked your age and you are one year younger than me. We are not old mind you, but as for me, I can't recover quite as quick as a 25 year old anymore. You may be at a better fitness level but I think you still need 2 weeks.

Take care and the procedure is a "piece of cake"

NH

had it done in nov 07

by jbkeys - 2008-03-22 06:03:10

hi NH, thank you for getting back to me, i'm 62, going on 63 next month, I know what you are saying, like to think I'm 25, but the body does tell you different. When I asked the surgent when I can go back to work, he asked me what did I do, I am a supv. and have 25 people under me, big responsibility,and he told me just to supv. and let everyone else do the work. If I feel my body can not go back on Monday, I will request the papers to stay out. I am worried about infection from what i have been reading. also no shower for two weeks, will take a bath, and wash my hair in the sink. being lefty is also a concern, like i mention before, i know i will be sore for awhile. Thanks you again, will let you all know how i did. good health to all of you, this site helped me get through it the first time, god bless you all. jbkeys

I wonder why?

by ElectricFrank - 2008-03-22 10:03:04

Unless the pacemaker is implanted somewhere other than just under the skin, or it is a larger unit recovery from a replacement shouldn't take long for recovery. Since a pacemaker is already there doing its job your body hasn't had time to deteriorate from poor circulation like often happens the first time around.
Even the surgery is simpler. There is fishing leads down into the heart and screwing them into its wall. There is little if any need to make a pocket for it. So here are a couple of possibilities for the impact of the surgery.
1. Effects of the anesthesia. Even though they tell us that coming out of it is quick with no after effects, there are studies that show it can have an effect on the brain for much longer. It depends on the individual.
2. The initial settings of the new pacer. Even though the settings have been optimized (hopefully) with the old pacer there is a tendency to just leave the new one set to the factory default settings. They figure the EP will catch it on the first office visit. Then the EP figures this is working so why make changes. This is one of the things I have on my list when I get to battery change time. I am going to have an understanding that the old settings are to be programmed immediately. Since I chose to remain awake during the procedure I will remind them if necessary in the O.R.

By the way remaining awake is one of the best ways to assure a quick recovery. On my initial implant they bypassed recovery and took me directly to my room. I got off the cart and walked over to the bed and demanded breakfast. The next day I walked a mile and from then on 3 miles a day.

So jbkeys, expect it to be easy. As long as you feel like getting up and going there is nothing much you can do to hurt anything. This time you don't have to worry about pulling out the leads. All you have is a possibly sore incision site and it will tell how much to move.

frank

pacemaker replacement

by Labrador-boy - 2008-04-01 12:04:58

Hi, Yes had mine replaced 2 years ago after having the original for 10 years. I was arrived at 8.00am and went home about 4ish the same day, no pain killers were needed! I was off work for a week, and back to nornale activity after that. Take care

pacemaker replacement - 2nd one

by panda - 2008-04-19 02:04:15

I had my original PM since 09/11/1998. Just had it replaced on 02/11/08. 9 years 5 months later! I never had any problems with the original PM. Had a good Doctor who knew how to fine tune my PM and get the most out of the battery. My battery was getting low thus the reason for the replacement. My 2 leads were perfect so I still have them. I arrived at the hospital on 03/11/08 at 7am and walked out the same day at 11am. I had no pain and felt great. No pain killers either. My only "problem" was that I was very hungry because I had to "fast" for 12 hours! Everyone was very nice and they even threw in a good breatfast before I was discharged. Panda is a happy "bear"!!

New PM after 9 yrs 5 months

by panda - 2008-04-27 12:04:20

My PM Battery (implanted 02/11/98) was getting low after 9 yrs. I went into the hospital at 7am and walked out at 11am the same day with a new PM and same leads (2). I have felt great since surgery day which was 02/11/08 and my scar is healing just fine. I'm hoping for this PM to last 12 yrs!

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Good luck with your surgery. It will improve life amazingly.