Awake During Surgery

I am a new member so first want to say thank you for just being here. I received an ICD implant 3 weeks ago and there is one thing that is still stressing me out about the procedure. I woke up during the middle of it and was awake while the doctor was still putting the implant in for about 10 minutes. Then I was put back to sleep so they could test it and finish sewing me up. Has anyone else had this experience? Is this normal? I just don't know how I should feel about this.

8 Comments

Happened to me

by BetsyQ - 2015-08-24 11:08:11

I had a pm, not an ICD but I also woke up with someone putting their entire body weight on my chest. I remember saying "it hurts" and someone telling me that they were trying to stop the bleeding and then remember nothing else so I must have been put back out while they finished up. I know I had a pressure bandage on for 4 days after surgery.
All turned out well me now, 6 weeks later I'm "almost" back to normal.
Blessings,
Betsy

Happened to me

by BetsyQ - 2015-08-24 11:08:22

I had a pm, not an ICD but I also woke up with someone putting their entire body weight on my chest. I remember saying "it hurts" and someone telling me that they were trying to stop the bleeding and then remember nothing else so I must have been put back out while they finished up. I know I had a pressure bandage on for 4 days after surgery.
All turned out well me now, 6 weeks later I'm "almost" back to normal.
Blessings,
Betsy

Hello

by mytrose43 - 2015-08-25 02:08:01

I was awake for both of mine actually talked thru the entire procedure . From what i understand they do not normally put you to sleep for a pacemaker they use kin of a twilight sleep drug but you do not feel anything except maybe a bit of pressure.No reason to be stressed by this you made it thru safe and sound,

procedure

by hopefulheart - 2015-08-25 02:08:27

Hi!
On my second ICD, and I have not experienced waking during the procedure. I am not sure if you are more concerned about the procedure you described, a future one or both. I would not call waking during a procedure normal or desirable, but as you now know, others have had similar experiences. I would start with a straight forward conversation with your medical care expressing any concerns you have and asking any questions you have. If your conversation leaves you feeling fearful, confused and/or no longer confident of your current care, then, I would find new medical care. When needed, the best time for that is when you are not in need of urgent care. Make the choice that is best for not only your physical health, but your psychological and emotional health as well. Welcome to the site.
hopefulheart

OOOPS

by mytrose43 - 2015-08-25 02:08:32

Sorry I did not realize you had a ICD that could be different than a pacemaker LOL OPEN MY MOUTH AND INSERT FOOT ,,,,,,SORRY

Local anaesthetic

by Jane21 - 2015-08-25 07:08:58

I had a Pacemaker fitted about 5 weeks ago and it was done under local anaesthetic, so I was awake the whole time. As far as I can gather, that's the usual means of doing the proceedure in the UK for either an ICD or a PM.
I see you are in the States, so maybe the procedures are done differently.
I would definitely have preferred a general, it was a surreal experience having someone 'fiddling about' in your chest, I tried not to think about what they were doing.
I was told the reason they did it under local, rather than general, was to avoid my heart rate dropping any further.
Perhaps you had the lightest of general anaesthetics for the same reason, so came round a bit too soon. Maybe?
My procedure was done as an emergency and so had no time to prepare mentally, I I'll admit, I have had problems adjusting to the entire experience, but main thing is, we are still here to get on with life. Cheers Jx

Local

by Laudacity - 2015-08-26 04:08:22

I also had my pacemaker put in under local anesthetic. They had me on IV so when I was getting a bit high with the blood pressure do to some of the work they were doing (under my Pectoral Major) they chilled me out with some good drugs.

From what the surgeon told me they would rather you be awake so the recovery is shorter. "Twilight" might be the right word.

Local

by Fluff87 - 2015-09-18 04:09:35

I was awake for the majority of my PM implant. They said they were only going to use conscious sedation w/ local anesthetic, so I may be awake hear everything, but should not feel any pain. After meds were given I was asleep for about 10 minutes and then remembered everything. It was very odd to feel them pushing on my chest during the insert, hearing the cautery etc. I definitely would have preferred to be under general anesthesia, but I was told this is how the do it, conscious sedation with local anesthetic.

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Member Quotes

A pacemaker suddenly quitting is no more likely to happen than you are to be struck by lightening.