Surgery time

Good luck Tinkergirl

by Gemita - 2020-06-21 15:35:00

I have yet to experience a device change or lead extraction so hopefully others will offer support.  Just wanted to wish you luck.

I feel it will be difficult to put a time limit on how long it will all take because it will so depend on what they find, how difficult it will be to extract the leads, whether they encounter any complications, whether they can implant a new pacemaker in the same area immediately or whether you will need a temporary pacemaker until tissue for example has healed.  Then you need to consider that the procedure will be done under a general anaesthetic and that will take time to recover from.  

I really hope you will be in very safe, experienced hands and that you come out of this with a new system that will last.

Looking at various sites on the internet, extraction can take up to several hours depending on the level of difficulty, then you need to add the implantation time, even if only a temporary pacemaker is provided + all the preparation for surgery and recovery.  Sounds like a longish procedure to me, so build yourself up Tinkergirl.

I have found a patient leaflet about extraction and I will post if you wish.  Hopefully though you will have received detailed info about the procedure and potential complications from your own hospital ?

Thanks

by Tinkergirl - 2020-06-21 15:59:38

Gemita

Thanks for your information and encouragement!! Of course I am hoping that everything goes sooo smooth that I won't even know it happened. Lol I am looking forward to hopefully a pacemaker that works better and stays in place. My original implantation took 3 try's in 2 days. The top lead kept falling. This EP comes highly recommended from a few people I know and he was one of two my cardiologist recommended. My cardiologist put my first pacemaker in. 
 

Again thanks for your information, insight and encouragement!!! This is an awesome group of people. 

Extraction

by barnet38 - 2020-06-21 23:41:25

Would you mind posting a follow-up post to tell us how the surgery went and about your recovery?  I was supposed to have a  lead extraction/replacement and possible generator replacement earlier this month, but it has been delayed due to Covid-19.  (My lead functions well in bi-polar mode and I have an escape rhythm on the 40s, so the surgery is not an emergency).  I have had a pacemaker for over 20 years and still have the original leads.  I have a pacemaker due to congenital complete heart block.

I hope everything goes well with your procedure, and that you have a quick recovery!

Sure will

by Tinkergirl - 2020-06-22 09:37:35

Barnet38

I sure will. Wow they are removing everything after 20 years. I was always under the assumption that my wires would always stay, but under my circumstances they basically want to start over. 
 

Good luck to you too!!

thinking of you

by Tracey_E - 2020-06-24 09:21:25

Hope all goes well today! Please let us know how you are doing when you feel up to it. 

Tracey_E

by Tinkergirl - 2020-06-24 10:09:46

I sure will and thank you for thinking of me today!!!