another surgery :(

Well my Doctor finally believes me that my ICD is in my armpit and moves all over the place and has referred me to a plastic surgeon to have it repositioned under the muscle........My biggest question is why a plastic surgeon? I have not had my appointment with this Doctor yet and have many questions wondering if this is the right thing to do. I have had such bad luck with my ICD since day one and am not looking forward to another surgery!! :( *sigh*

7 Comments

Hi Sis

by Pookie - 2009-03-24 01:03:28

Pookie here!!!!!!!!!!! Glad to see you're back online.

Sorry to hear about your device in your armpit, mine did that too and I had it repositioned 6 months after initial implant. I too did NOT want another surgery, but I didn't want my pacer in my armpit either.

You got me stumped on the plastic surgeon tho but I find that in the States they do things so differently (and better it seems) than here in Canada.

At least meet with the Plastic Surgeon and see what he has to say.

Bottom line is...do you want it fixed? Do your research and ask a million questions.

I wish you all the best and I miss our chats.

Pookie

hot heart

by Tracey_E - 2009-03-24 02:03:41

they aren't supposed to move, but sometimes they do! They make the pocket then sew it into place. Sometimes the surgeon skips that second part, sometimes they jsut don't stay put. it's not common, but it's not unheard of either.

thanks guys!!

by sis - 2009-03-24 05:03:09

Thanks guys!! Well at least I know that being sent to a plastic surgeon is a good thing then!! I haven't gotten my call when my appt is yet so I have plenty of time to make a list of questions. I talked to a few people today that had this surgeon and heard amazing things about him and a gal from high school's sister does the credentials on doctors and they both have went to him for other reasons....;) LOL and are very pleased :) HAHA Thanks for the info Jess & Pookie I will get back on here later to hopefully catch you in chat tonight after I put the boys to bed :) I missed you guys!!! But have been soooo busy a lot has happened around here too!! We got 2 new family members!! So I am getting used to Brutis & Buster our two Golden Doodle puppies!!! They are going to be 10 weeks old on Thursday!! :)

plastic surgeon

by Tracey_E - 2009-03-24 06:03:54

A plastic surgeon did my initial placement and he was absolutely amazing. My cardiac surgeon called him in because he wanted to bury my pm behind the breast, he'd never done it that way before and wanted another opinion. A plastic surgeon will make things look good and feel good, that is what they do. Everyone always thinks of them for boob jobs and facelifts, but their primary job used to be fixing things that went wrong, removing scars and birth defects, etc. If he's a good one, you will be in excellent hands.

Mine is inserted from the side about where an underwire hits, the device itself is placed behind the breast tissue (not really under muscle). It never gets in my way even if I hike with a heavy backpack, seatbelts and bras don't rub it. I can barely feel the edges if I poke around looking for it, no lump whatsoever and no visible scars. If you want to know more, just ask!

sis

by jessie - 2009-03-24 11:03:55

hi welcome back! glad you are getting this looked after. i know it really bothered you and you looking after two little boys. a lot has happened to me since we last spoke. john has heart problems and my brother who is younger than me with a p.m. suffered a cardiac arrest just after getting a new implant. he hovered for four days between life and death but is good now.so we have had a worrisome winter but hopefully now we can get back to the activities of daily living. so hopefully we can talk later. take care your friend maureen

how can they move?

by Hot Heart - 2009-03-24 12:03:28

Hi there, sorry to sound a little naive! When my pacemaker was fitter i thought the surgeon told me he made a little pocket in my muscle, inserted the device and then stitched it up. Do you think i was dreaming???? What makes them move? Is it dangerous if they move, and, naievety again, how do they move?

Hope you are okay

by Jennab867 - 2009-05-18 10:05:03

I just had mine replaced for the same reason. I hope if you've had yours done, all went well!

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I have had my pacer since 2005. At first it ruled my life. It took some time to calm down and make the mental adjustment. I had trouble sleeping and I worried a lot about pulling wires. Now I just live my life as I wish.