Replacing pacemaker

Could someone tell me what is involved in replacing the unit when the battery is done?  I assume there is scar tissue around the original unit.  Is it typically done with a local anesthetic?  Is it painful or less than the original placement?  Does it go in the same place as the original?  Are there restrictions afterwards for a while?  Can I return to work the same day?

Any information would be helpful.  

4 Comments

super easy!

by Tracey_E - 2018-05-22 09:32:44

I'm on my 5th. My replacements were done with conscious sedation but some people have it done with local. They usually go in the same place and use the same pocket but be sure to ask because every once in a while you find a doc that doesn't. The scar tissue is mostly numb so pain level is only a fraction of what it was the first time. Most of the restrictions the first time were the new leads. As long as the leads aren't replaced, the only restrictions are takign care of the incision until it heals. 

Work, same day might be a little overly ambitious. When I got my last one, we stopped for lunch on the way home,  then I took a nap and took care of some work emails. My sister brought dinner over so I didn't have to cook. I was perfectly capable of cooking, but smart enough to smile benignly from the sofa and let her do it ;) 

3rd

by The real Patch - 2018-05-23 17:14:23

on my 3rd. Ditto what TraceyE said. I did bounce back on the third one and was out doing things the day I was released from the hospital

Thank you

by 0300hours - 2018-05-30 22:26:27

Good to know.  I feel much better about the prospect of replacement.  Thank you so much.

New battery needed?

by Cycler - 2018-06-07 09:11:51

Ditto to above: conscious sedation. Kind of funky trying to envision what they were doing above the sterile shroud, from the feel of it beneath the shroud w/conscious sedation. Felt more violent than simply slip out the old generator and attach and slip in the new, but painless nonetheless. Bandaged area still tender, now, 12 hours later as I write this, but no complications sensed. Will remove bandage in 12 more hours. The 4 year old device swapped out was published as having had a defective battery that might deplete prematurely 4 months after installing. It's ironic that, nearly 4 years to the day of original installation, here comes a transmission that alerts my doc saying "it's about to expire!" 2 months ago at a regular follow-up, doc said "you're good for 4-5 years." Yeah, right, LOL. Best wishes!

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