Subcutaneous ICD

Recovery time from surgery

by LondonAndy - 2018-02-19 03:26:05

It is generally 6 weeks or so for the body to heal itself after surgery, but it can be longer for you to fully recover.  For example, I always used to sleep on my left hand side, ie the side that they usually insert the pacemaker, but it was uncomfortable to do so for ages, and so I mostly slept on my right hand side afterwards, but after about a year I found that I could sleep on the left completely comfortably.  We are all different, and age / other health issues may affect recovery time. 

what does "recovery" mean ?

by muskeg - 2018-02-19 12:20:54

I went back to work on modified duties (as a 59 yr old tradesman)10 days post implant, which looking back probably helped my recovery, encouraging me to move about and get active again. My left side was quite tender and I had restricted the use of my left arm, i.e. no raising it above shoulder, very limited lifting with it.  I noticed at the 6 week mark, quite an improvement by then. Less tenderness, less restriction. At six weeks though, I felt no where near recovered or close to normal. I too, used to sleep mainly on my left side pre surgery and couldn't even consider doing that at 6 weeks. Four months post implant now and I occassionaly wake up to find myself sleeping on my left side or do chose to sleep on my left side. Sometimes the event is quite ok and sometimes abit painful or uncomfortable. At four months I can now do most everything again. Still no heavy lifting, but getting better. One of my favourite activities is ATV'ing, think pushing, pulling, jarring, heavy exertion and I'm starting to think that is now possible.

Four months past, am I recovered? Yes for the most part, but no, not entirely. Everyone's experience is probably different.

Many factors

by Gotrhythm - 2018-02-19 15:28:19

Subcutaneous just means "under the skin" as opposed to deeper inside the body. As far as I know all permanent ICDs are implanted under the skin, although sometimes pacemakers are implanted under the pectoral muscle. A subcutaneous implant is easier to heal up and has a shorter recovery period.

Recovery depends on many factors. Your general health, your age, your condition and--often most important--your attitude. Six weeks is an average, but although I had a pacemaker not an ICD, I was fully healed and recovered much sooner. But I think that's because I always heal cleanly with no complications. Even before the incision was completely healed, though, I felt better than I had in a long time.

Don't worry about how long it takes. You are getting the ICD in hopes of being better. Look for small signs of healing and recovery everyday. You'll get there when you do.