pacemaker location

I have a teenage daughter getting ready to have her pacemaker moved from her abdomen to higher location. She is very concerned about it being under the clavicle where it is very visible. I have read many posts about putting it under the muscle. She is very athletic and is a softball pitcher so we want it placed that will cause her the least discomfort but also be the least noticeable. Does anyone have any suggestions?

3 Comments

not that complicated

by Tracey_E - 2014-11-11 09:11:10

My guess would be she's either done growing or mostly done growing if she's a teen. Girls usually slow down considerably one year after their first period, stop by 2 years after so you don't really have to worry about growth problems once they hit the teens. If she was 10, yep, it would be something to consider. If growth was an issue, they would not have suggested moving it.

Most surgeons put them just under the collar bone, just under the skin. It's quick and easy, heals the fastest. That said, it's not a big deal to put it in a little lower and deeper. There are several options.
- They can simply go lower and deeper, depending how she's built. A regular tank top would cover the scar in most cases
- They can go deeper and put it between the pectoral muscles
- They can do it more off to the side, closer to the armpit
- Mine is put in from the side, under both pectoral and the breast. Overkill!! My dr meant well, but jeez, is it buried! It's great in general, but was a bit of a challenge when I needed a new lead. If I was doing it over again, I'd put it between the pectorals.

Be sure to talk to the surgeon in advance! Some willingly consider other options, others get that deer in the headlights look because they haven't done it before. My dr is a smart guy. He hadn't done it before, didn't particularly want to do it, but got that i wanted it so he got a plastic surgeon to assist. Making it inconspicuous can be something new for the EP, but for the plastic surgeon it was probably the easiest job she had that day. Making things look and feel good is what they do. I expected to pay her out of pocket, but insurance covered it without an issue.

I can wear a strapless top, you would have to look really closely to know I am paced. If you show your daughter the gallery, I posted a picture of myself hiking in a spaghetti strap tank.

It does take longer to heal when it's buried, just so you know. It's not awful, but it is more complicated than the usual placement. I mostly got by on tylenol after the first few days, occasionally taking something stronger at night. I was moving around normally, just slowly, by a week to 10 days, but it took 2-3 months before I could do my full routine at the gym, bend/stretch/lift any direction without feeling it. Now I don't even know it's there so imo it was well worth a little extra trouble. I can hike with a heavy backpack, I do Crossfit and lift fairly heavy weights, kayak. I haven't found anything I can't do comfortably.

If you or your daughter has questions, please let me know! I have CCHB also, but I'm 48 with two teen daughters of my own. No one would look at me and see a heart patient. I've never had complications from pacing or my condition. I don't let it slow me down.

under the muscle

by Pacemum - 2014-11-12 03:11:56

My teenage daughter currently has her paceaker in the sub pectoral position. We found that the pacemaker was very prominent in the abdomen. It is not noticeable at all in its current position. The scar fades to just a fine line as they use surgical glue in my daughters hospital. We found the healing time to be the same as having the pacemaker in abdomen. Younger people tend to heal quickly.

Your daughter may have to adhere to sporting restrictions for up to 6 to 8 weeks if the cardio is airing on the safe side. But it is best to play safe for a few weeks to avoid any complications.

Sub-Pec

by cheshirealice - 2014-11-12 06:11:04

I placed my PM in my pectoral muscle and it was the best decision I could have ever made. I am active (run, weightlift, river rafting) and have never had any problems with the location; when I wear a backpack to hike or a seatbelt it doesn't hurt. It took about 3 months before I could do pull ups again but that's okay.

I chose to get Plastics involved to sew up my old abdomen scar and make the new incision for the pec. They healed up beautifully. I can wear a tank top or strapless dress and you can't tell I have a PM or where the incision is.

It's entirely up to you and your daughter but I love, love, love my sub-pec implant. The worst pain was probably the incision in my abdomen not my pec. They make sure to have extra lead length so it doesn't tear out. The sub-pec surgery is becoming more common but does require general anesthesia, which you'll need to remove the abdominal one anyways.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Best of luck!
Erica

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I'm 35 and got my pacemaker a little over a year ago. It definitely is not a burden to me. In fact, I have more energy (which my husband enjoys), can do more things with my kids and have weight because of having the energy.