Pacemaker surgery

varies

by Tracey_E - 2024-09-23 17:50:31

A lot depends on what size box you got, your build, where your surgeon placed it. For most of us, it settles in with time and becomes invisible. For others, there is always a bit of a lump. However it ends up, there is a 100% chance it will end up better than it looks now. For me, it was a lot better at 3-6 months, fully healed and invisible by a year. 

Still early days

by Gemita - 2024-09-23 18:47:48

Lump on your left chest?  I am assuming you mean the device lump?  Any new lump in addition to your device would be a concern.

I don’t think a device will ever be completely hidden unless it is buried deeply?   I care less about the appearance of my device, but more about “how it feels” and how the device functions.  Any discomfort or dysfunction would be more concerning.  

My husband and I got our pacemakers the same year (2018).  He has a most definite device lump which is all too visible.  My pocket looks much much flatter and no one would easily know that I have a device.  

At two weeks you are still healing and the pocket may still be slightly inflammed and swollen. You need to give it a little while longer. 

Babesmom

by piglet22 - 2024-09-24 05:01:33

A small visible outline or raised area is a small price to pay for all the benefits your device gives you.

Nearly 20 years on, my device is still visible and probably always will be.

It must take considerable skill to install the generator and leads. By far, the function is more important than the final appearance.

Overall, the area that I can feel the device is about the size of my hand.

Generator is the bulkiest, but leads and connectors probably take up half the area.

There is a second lump just below my left collar bone which might be a suturing point.

It's really important not to kink the leads so the surgeon will consider route before final appearance.

If you get the opportunity in maybe a chest X-ray, request a copy of the image. It's quite illuminating.

Visible Pacemaker

by Selwyn - 2024-09-24 08:02:06

Pacemaker boxes may remain visible for ever. In general the appearance improves with time.

A lot depends on how much fat you have, and where the box has been placed ( in front of muscle, under muscle, around the side, for kids over the abdomen).

Over time there is some contraction of scar tissue. The box may almost disappear. 

For some, the sight of their box is distressing. Over the years I have been swimming with a pacemaker ( 15 years ) I cannot remember being asked about the swelling. My youngest grandson was curious.  Once I explained that I was like the Duracell Bunny- battery powered, he seemed happy to accept that - such is the imagination of pre-school children. I must remember to get the ears!

I have enclosed in the 'Members only' gallery a picture of my box. You can clearly see the lead coming out of the box going towards my collar bone. This second pacemaker is placed badly, I think, as the corner juts out laterally. I just keep an eye on the skin and so far there is not a problem. 

You can enter into some negotiation with the surgeon, at the tiime of placement , where you would like your box. The scar may take 6 months to start to go white and then is almost invisible .

Hi there🦋

by Lavender - 2024-09-24 11:53:20

My pacemaker is invisible and was placed deep but not sub pectoral. No one can tell it's there. I have a very thin barely noticeable white line about an inch and a half long. But, it's been three and a half years since placement. 
 

At first it looked swollen and red for a long time. What you see now is not your end result yet. 😉