1st Replacement

Hi all,

I'm sure this has been posted many times - apologies for the replication!

I'm having my first replacement on Friday - was interested to know what peoples thoughts were on sedation? I know it's far less of an 'ordeal' than the initial fitting, but I didn't have a great experience first time around, fitting on the op table. I don't know whether this was because I was panicing or just a coincidence... but keen for it not to happen again.

Also, how long to people tend to have off work? I'm 35, fit and 'healthy' but struggled to sleep last time due to the pain of the cut! I was thinking of having a week off as a maximum.

Any thoughts would be welcome!

4 Comments

Just use a local

by PacerRep - 2013-10-29 10:10:34

Most people just take a very small amount of IV and of coarse the Anti-biotics. Most of the numbing is done with lidocaine injected directly into the site. It's a super fast procedure and most people don't need any more than that. It literally takes 15 minutes.

replacements

by Tracey_E - 2013-10-29 10:10:40

Replacements are super easy! The pocket is already made, the leads are already in place, they go in through scar tissue. I'm on my 4th. I got my 2nd on a Fri and went to the Keys for vacation on Tuesday. I had to stay out of the water but other than that did everything I wanted to do. I went hiking at high altitude less than a week after I got my 3rd. Unless your job is very physical, you could probably do it Friday and be back at work Monday. Unless you want a nice excuse for a week off, then go for it :)

thanks!

by hilloquis - 2013-10-29 11:10:44

Thanks for this. Would only want mild sedation but may well give it a miss if its only a short op!

Pacemaker Replacement

by jbjlll - 2013-10-31 12:10:27

I had my second PM put in last year. Don't know what the Dr. used. Said I would be under light anesthesia. Whatever, I don't remember a thing until later in the recovery room before I went home. Was back to almost normal activity the next day. No problems with either implant and they have not changed my activities. I am 74, travel extensively, and walk several miles every day. Only problem I have had was difficulty breathing in the mountains of Guatemala. But think that was a combination of altitude and asthma, not the PM.

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