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For personal reasons I would like to have my pacemaker removed. Anyone have any idea where I can get it done. Thanks

5 Comments

Carolyn65

by Carolyn65 - 2009-09-30 04:09:12

I was told by my EP Cardiologist that there was NOT any UNdoing ~ once he did the procedure ~ he could not UNdo it ~ ~ This being a PM implant w/AV Ablation. WE do this Fri., Oct. 2nd ~ ~ ~ ~ ( :

Removal

by GrandmaD - 2009-09-30 04:09:24

If you have a pacemeker it is either there to improve quality of life, or basically to keep you alive as it is is some of our cases. I don't know of anyone who would participate in something that would surely be detrimental to you. I am not sure of your reasons, but you need to reconsider. There are people here who can talk to you and help. I have gottten it myself at times and those of us here have probably been through everything imaginable. My thoughts will be with you
D

Removal Assistance

by sdjones - 2009-09-30 07:09:12

Hello. I too have been looking around for a competent surgeon to remove my pacemaker and leads. It seems like there are many more who know how to put them in, but, very few who know how to take them out. And, yes, people do have them removed for one reason or another.

About a year ago, I found a surgeon who is located at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, California. Dr. Schaerf's website tells a lot about him and his staff. One point that stood out to me was that he has successfully performed over 1,500 operations without complications. He states that he has personally hand-picked his team of assistants to ensure top-quality health care while at his clinic.

Here is his website:

http://leadextraction.com/

I wish you all of the best.

Is this generally a problem?

by Ashregan - 2009-09-30 09:09:50

I've seen other posts here and elsewhere from people who report having problems getting rid of a pacemaker.

In my case, I made the doctor promise in front of witnesses that if the device made my life (in my opinion) worse, that he would turn it off. (Having read of so many possible complications and divergent experiences, I felt that I couldn't get involved in this without some control over the outcome).

Perhaps actually removing a PM, leads and all, is more difficult than just turning it off, but I believe that I've read that there are people at Mayo's who will undertake this removal (not sure about this but check there, I know I've read somewhere that some of the big centers will do this).

Each of us has to, at the end of the day, be captain of his/her own ship. It's nice and sometimes helpful to give cheerful, enthusiastic, and informative support---but the ultimate decision has to be individual.

To the initial poster, just be sure you know what you are doing. The existential position is that we all live and we all die--- this is a given---and each of us can choose to take on the mandate of finding meaning within that space that we call "life".

Or from another possible perspective, perhaps, in your case, this potential removal is not even life-threatening---there are definitely people who get pacemakers put in and then find out that they don't need them, I've met a couple myself.

Either way, the best to you and make a decision that you will not regret.

Anne

Options

by ElectricFrank - 2009-09-30 10:09:15

The simplest thing is to have the pacemaker removed and the leads left in place. They can be tucked into the incision when it is closed and shouldn't show. It is much more difficult and risky to remove the leads if they have been in place for very long.

Where I would expect a surgeon might refuse is if you are 100% dependent on it. For him to remove it would be considered doctor assisted suicide.

One other suggestion. How about having the pacer turned off, but left in place for a short period of time so you can experience what life will be like without it. Then if you are OK with it the surgeon would be more comfortable with removing it.

frank

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