Sub pectoral implant

recovery

by Tracey_E - 2018-03-17 10:51:09

Mine is subpec. We're all different, but I didn't find it was that bad. I took pain meds to sleep the first couple of nights, other than that got by on tylenol and ice. Lots and lots of ice, ice is your friend! By the end of the first week, I was mostly back to my old schedule, just moving more  slowly. As you get back to your normal activities, you'll probably find it doesn't take much to aggravate it at first. That's normal, ice helps.

Now that I'm healed, I can do whatever I want and it doesn't get in my way. Kayak, hike with a heavy pack, weight lifting. I managed to catch it while scaling a wall in a Spartan race but that's not exactly something I do every day, and other than some bruising it didn't cause any problems. 

Wear a button up shirt to the hospital. You won't want to be pulling anything over your head the first few days, probably the first week. I found it helped to sleep hugging a small pillow, kept me from rolling onto my sore side in my sleep. 

Don't wear the sling after the first day or two. Don't lift anything heavy or raise the elbow above  shoulder level, other than that try to use the arm normally so the shoulder doesn't freeze. Only exception is I'd put it on in a crowd so I didn't get bumped, wore it to church because I'm usually a hugger and I wasn't quite ready for that. 

I'm on my 5th and have had both conscious sedation (versed) and general. I like versed better because I'm wide awake and alert before even leaving the operating room. With general I was groggy for a few hours, fuzzy memories of the recovery room. I've never been sick after or anything like that. I've heard of throat being a little sore after from the breathing tube but I didn't have that either. Neitiher was a big deal, imo. The anticipation was the worst part. 

Sub Pec

by doublehorn48 - 2018-03-17 20:53:27

TraceyE is, as usal, spot on.  I can only add my on experience.  My second pm was sub pec.  I had no problems with it .  When my next pm was implanted the cardiologist put the next one just under the skin and on my left side.  I'm left handed and it was common years ago to put the pm on the right side, if you were left handed.

About two weeks after the pm was removed where the pm had been my pec collapsed  at the sight.  It's very noticeable.  I've done a lot of bench presses and flies since then but my pec never "bounced back".

I'm 69 years old so it's no big deal to me.  You, on the other hand, are 30.  If you have the pm placed sub pec it seems, from my experience, that you should always have your pm placed sub pec.

Just my opinion.

hi

by Pinkit94 - 2018-03-18 21:36:39

Hi! I’m 23, and received both of my pacemaker/icds when I was 22, I broke the first one by swimming super vigorously over the weekend, but anyway both were sub pectoral. My recovery wasn’t that bad, but I had a great support system! Immediately after the surgery I had pretty bad pain, but that’s what I expected, I was given narcotic medication for that. However on the second day post op, I just relied on Tylenol. Your site will feel tender, also, mine itched, and had some shooting pains for weeks even months. Driving a car was an issue for a while because of the seat belt, I found that wearing an extra layer over the area really helped. Also, you can’t raise your arm above your shoulders, I found that you can do things like put on a sweater, just take your time and don’t do quick rapid/repetitive motions for the 6 week healing period. Mentally I definitely went through a blue period about 3/4 weeks out with both of my devices,I don’t really know why, what helped me was going back to work. My work allowed me to have modified shifts for first few weeks, I felt more like a person and less like a patient. After the implant I highly recommend for you to ask for your devices perimeters, and ask them to explain them to you, bug them until they do because its your health not theirs! On the follow up device checks always ask if there changes made to the programming of the device! Now I have no restrictions, and feel great. Best of luck to you!

sub pec pacemaker

by ewindfelder - 2018-03-19 16:47:29

Hello,

I'm 4 weeks post-op today from having a pacemaker inserted under my pectoral muscle.  I didn't need any pain meds other than tylenol & motrin and it's still a little tender but very managable.

Good Luck!!!

Thanks

by Charlie731 - 2018-03-19 19:26:15

Thank you for all of your replies. Even though I’ve known I’ll need one for a few months and haven’t worried about it much, now the time’s finally come to have the procedure I’m getting more and more anxious! So really helpful to hear your advice and experiences, thank you.

How did it go Charles?

by ePaul2018 - 2018-03-25 14:54:49

Hey Charles, looks like you had your procedure done this week just a day after mine.

Curious how it went for you?

I have noted that I feel notable better each day from the procedure itself. I'm trying to wait to give any apparent appraisal of the function of the device potentially, until the ****OUCH***** from the install recovers. Like you, I had a LINQ device removed at the same time, so we have two sets of tire patches to admire when we wake up from the procedure...

Wishing you the best.

Paul

Post op

by Charlie731 - 2018-03-27 15:31:36

Hi Paul

Surgery went fine, I felt awful the first few days but starting to feel better. Still quite tired and having pain/weird sensations around the area, but nothing like it was initially. 

I don’t have a the post op check up for another few weeks but every so often i get a zapping sensation in my chest as though the pacemaker is firing off, not painful but really uncomfortable. I’ve also had a couple of dizzy spells this week which is a bit worried as that’s what the pacemaker is supposed to fix :( Really hoping it’s just the settings and I’ve not pulled a lead out or anything more serious!

Glad that you are feeling better each day - hope your recovery is going well!