Tape and pacemaker covered

Wound Check?

by Marybird - 2020-08-23 15:25:59

I guess everyone gets different instructions, but when I had my pacemaker implanted in 2019 they covered the incision site with a bandage, some steristrips, and covered the whole thing with a piece of  waterproof tegedermwhich made it all water resistant.They instructed me not to touch the area,  keep it dry (though I could shower if I didn't get it wet). This until the scheduled wound check 12 days !ater. The nurse removed the bandage at that time.

My daughter just had a pacemaker replacement, she has a bandage over the site which she has been instructed not to remove or get wet,and she has a wound check scheduled next week- will be 8 days after the surgery. 

I thought a wound check was pretty much standard about 10-14 days after a pacemaker implanted,  with instructions to the patient about how to handle (or not) the bandage and incision site in the meantime. 

Do you recall getting any specific instructions about how to handle your incision and bandages after your pacemaker implantation? The timing of your GP appointment (18 days) sounds like this would have been intended for your wound check, and bandage removal. Did the GP remove the bandage entirely or leave it on and just tell you to let it fall off? Did he comment on your incision healing and give you any instructions as to how to go from there with it?

incision

by Caguy - 2020-08-23 15:56:35

After my GP started to remove tape I aslk him to stop because it hurt a little when he was removing it. Then it started to get lose in shower so I took it off. 18 days after pacemaker was put in. I was told at Hosipatal I could shower the next day , just pad it dry .were pacemaker was at. I see new Dr Sept 8 and the tec from Boston Scientific will be there to check it and help me with my home monitor. But everything seems to be working , pulse set at 60 , and when I check in morning it's about 65 .  Thanks  Al

18 days? GP?

by AgentX86 - 2020-08-23 17:19:13

That's rather strange.  I went back to my EP at 10 days.  The nurse removed the the steri-strips (some had just begun to fall off) and checked out the wound.  I had an EKG and my EP checked everything out and then off to the device clinic for some tuning.

Eighteen days seems awfully long.  Why your GP?  I'd think your cardiologist/EP would want to see you. 

Quite a long time.

by Graham M - 2020-08-23 18:10:28

18 days does seem a long time, but I guess we all heal at our own rate.  I was told to keep everything dry for 7 days, then I could have a shower.  I saw the practice nurse after 5 days, but there was still a bit of bleeding so she changed the waterproof dressing and told me to come back in another 5 days.  That did the trick and everything was fine afterwards.  I had dissolving sutures, so no stitches to remove.

I'm glad everyting is working well for you - it should give you a new lease of life.

Best wishes,

Graham.

Healed

by Caguy - 2020-08-24 00:10:00

I was healed and I did go to my cardiologist and he didnt see me a assistant did even when I told her I didn't like the way my scar looked , she said it would heal. Thats way I'm going to new Dr, I never saw the Dr after he put my pacemaker in. I'm not happy so going to new Dr I met , Richard Cain Tarzana Ca.  He's in the same building as my GP.  But everything seems okay and I'm feeling great. 

Wound check

by AgentX86 - 2020-08-24 19:51:46

There is no reason to see your EP for just a wound check. It's pretty straightforward, something a nurse is completely capable of doing. If there is a problem an NP or PA would probably get involved but there is no reason for the EP to see you.

However, sometimes the procedure was more complex or adjustments are needed upfront,  the EP might get involved but it's not needed. Yes, scars can look pretty ugly after only a week or two but it'll settle down after a few weeks and get much better over time. During the device check they're not worried about a beauty contest, just to make sure it's completely closed and there is no sign of infection.

Problem

by Caguy - 2020-08-25 10:45:07

I didn't care about being seen by assistant, the problem I had if I didn't see Dr before, during, after, and my first Visit to his office.  I would think he would have seen me at lease once. That's the reason I got new Dr.

Assistant

by AgentX86 - 2020-08-25 21:49:25

I wouldn't expect to see a surgeon afterwards.  I never saw my surgeon again after my CABG.  I always dealt with his PAs, residents (teaching hospital), and nurses (don't think he had any NPs).  The surgeon for my AV/His ablation was my EP so, of course, I see him regularly.  I've never seen, before or after, the surgeon who implanted my PM (my EP was busy at the other end of me).  I don't even know who he was, nor do I really care.  My EP is the only one I really care abou seeing.

Assisant

by Caguy - 2020-08-26 13:03:29

I go to his office that's why I don't understand why he cant say hello or whatever. 

Assistant

by AgentX86 - 2020-08-26 13:25:32

Because helping people who need his skills is far more imporant than your handshake. We have nurses who's job is to treat wounds and look for infection.  I don't expect my EP to punch my parking ticket either. Sorry to be blunt but that's the fact.

Dr

by Caguy - 2020-08-26 17:15:18

I guess you think I'm asking for tho much to see my Dr, I don't care because I fired him, he was charging over $500.a visit saying he was seeing me . so that's my main problem . Have a nice day.

Yes, I certiainly do!

by AgentX86 - 2020-08-26 21:23:39

You don't need to see your doctor  for a simple wound check.  It's a waste of his time and your insistance on this idiocy is an insult to all other healthcare workers.  I'm sure he's really upset that he's stuck another EP with your buisness.

Yes, you're being a baby.  Grow up, man.

Wound check

by bill328 - 2020-08-29 09:35:51

After having my device-embedded, the next day, prior to discharge the cardiologist came in and did a would check and suture removal. I have my device inserted thru the groin and implanted in the heart. 
I was told no shower or getting the area wet for a week. Then had a nurse wound check at the end of that week. As all was well she told me to leave the dressing on for one day then I could remove it and gently wash the area, no scrubbing. Now two weeks post-surgery and all seems well in that area.

Speedy healer?

by cardifflass - 2020-08-29 09:44:04

I had my PM fitted on monday 10th August and saw the GP practice nurse (conveniently opposite my house) on the 14th and she was delighted with my wound, told me to leave the dressing off.  I haven't had as much brusing as I expected either, though what I had was very jolly.

No stitches to be removed either.

Agent X86

by Caguy - 2020-08-29 12:09:55

I'm glad I never had people like you work for me , if I did they would have beewn fired also. If you have a job and you are suppoue to do it and you charge and don't even show up you get fired im my book. But were all different and just maybe you don't care. Have a nice day.