The surgery

PM Surgery

by Artist - 2016-09-11 00:47:39

My procedure was done two years ago and as far as I remember, it took a little over an hour.  The most difficult part for me was the 6 hours post op that I had to lie flat on my back, not sit up or turn on either side.  That meant mandatory use of a bed pan.  I think they must have pumped me full of IVs because I kept the nurse pretty busy with bed pan calls.  The mattress felt incredibly hard and I ached all over from staying in a stationery position on my back.  I was released the next day and was allowed to drive two days later.  Now I forget I have a PM most of the time. Hopefully they will give you some written guildlines about post op activities.  My guidelines stated that I should not raise my left arm above shoulder level or lift more than 5 lbs during the first two weeks, or more than 10 lbs during weeks 3-4.  Please let us know how your procedure went.  

2 Hour Surgery

by Woodsey - 2016-09-11 01:12:12

My PM surgery was done March 18, 2016. It was a 2 hour surgery with a dual lead Medtronic inserted and it went well. I stayed overnight so that they could check on me as well as xray me the next morning to make sure the leads were in the right place. The PM has made a big difference in my life as I had complete heart block and was extremely tired, dizzy and near collapse at one event. You should feel much better post op. Good luck and let us know how it went.

varies

by Tracey_E - 2016-09-11 08:37:09

Most of us stay overnight for the first one. I have no idea how long the surgery took, my first one was 1994, but it varies depending on your doc and how cooperative the leads are. I wasn't given any restricions like Artist. My arm was in a sling and they didn't want me running around but I was allowed to use the bathroom. I *did* get in trouble for pacing the halls late that night. My hr went from low 20's to normal, it felt like I'd been mainlining caffeine and I'm not good at sitting still in the best of circumstances so I was more than a little antsy. Had an xray in the morning to confirm the leads were still where they were suppposed to be, gave the sling back and went home. 

Question about the response from Artist

by vegas_erin - 2016-09-11 11:19:18

Is it standard to have to lie flat on your back for hours following pacemaker surgery?  My surgery is scheduled for Thursday of this week. I also currently have 2 herniated disks and several pinched nerves in my lower back as well as my sciatica. 

Question

by Drake3287 - 2016-09-11 14:31:40

Although I have an ICD and not a PM, I was sent home several hours after it was implanted. Pretty typical for most people, I even felt like I could drive home. (I didn't though)

As for lying down, that's typically after they do a procedure going through your femoral artery. Not a PM or ICD implant.

some depends upon the hospital

by techiej - 2016-09-11 14:36:27

I had mine put in 12/2015.  Check-in was at 8AM but the procedure was not until 10AM.  The actual procedure was 70 minutes in duration.

Right afterwards - while wheeling me to x-ray - they gave me a box lunch and I was upright in bed.

I stayed the night as that was hospital policy although they told me that some hospitals let you go home the same day.

Rather than being wheelchaired out, they had me walk out - don't think I woudl have tried to drive since they gave me some painkillers.

PM surgery timeframe

by FaithGrace - 2016-09-11 19:17:42

My Dual lead PM was done Aug 2nd of this year.  I was the first surgery of the day and did not spend the night.  

When I got there they had me change into a gown and they started an IV. They put some ointment in my nose to prevent infection.  The surgeon then came in to talk with me and answer any questions.  Then I was taken to the surgery room and they had me scoot over to the table in that room.  They put some monitor stickers on me and started the local anesthetic thru my IV and I was out.  Part of my surgery I was asleep and part of it I would wake up and was having a conversation with my surgeon.   I didn't feel a thing and it was a pleasant experience which is kind of odd to think about.  

When it was over, they brought me back into the room I had started out in.  They came right in my room to X-ray the leads and make sure they were in the correct place.  The device rep came in and brought my home monitoring system and explained it briefly.   I then had a boxed lunch, got dressed, was given my instructions and was sent home.

 My surgery was scheduled for 6am and I was out of there by 11:30.  The actual surgery was only about 1 1/2 hours of the time I was there.  The medicine I was given had an amnesia effect and the time there seemed to pass quickly.  

Surgery!!!

by Cprice - 2016-09-11 22:04:26

Mine op was 5 1/2 hours and i was put out half way through due to my heart misbehaving very badly. I spent 4 days in hospital then i went home with tramadol. As for recovery it took me 8 months and during this time i was sleeping a lot of the time. Also dont be at all surprised if other people stare at your operation scars and pacemaker/icd lump, this can make you feel extremely self concious and want to cover up. Please dont let other people comments get to you, it's so worth it. Thanks to my pacemaker(Boston Scientific Dual Chamber S404) i'm still here and love being bionic!!!!!!!!

Surgery

by Cabg Patch - 2016-09-12 15:26:13

As you see by the responses, it can vary. Rest assured Cprice's 51/2 hour procedure was abnormal. Usually implant is between 20 minutes and an hour, with additional time required if you are getting a defibrillator and/or CRT with three leads. In most cases this is a slam dunk, no biggie and you are wheeled into recovery. They like you to stay until you are coherent and recovered from the anesthesia before releasing you, typically in the 2 hour range in the recovery room. If your procedure is late in the day and/or an ICD they will keep you overnight but kick you free as early as possible the next day. Most insurance will not allow extended stays beyond what is considered normal and reasonable. That being said, usually the dr tells you in advance if you'll be released the same day so you have transportation home.

surgery recover

by rcescato - 2016-09-16 13:40:23

im at 5 weeks now. my story is almost the same. The surgery started around 7:15 to 7:30 was done by 8:15 to 830 mark. I was under twilight so I was fading in and out. wheeled to my room and was standing up by 945. I was released next morning by 9am.   Like I said I am in week 5. On sunday i noticed I had. small scab. Someone I met is a nurse she said call right away and have it checked out. Sure enough I had a stitch there that did not dissolve. The Doctor said thank you for noticing and coming in. He took it out and on antibiotics for next ten days.