Most Recent Messages in Surgery & Recovery

Post Message!

Third lead being added

Just wondering if anyone has had a third lead added to their two lead pacemaker at all please and what your experience of this was/is. My Husband is having this procedure on Thursday also a generator change. Thank you. 
 

Sue

Read More...

Recovery - Short of Breath

Hi All,

Just got my transvenous ICD/pacemaker for Brugada a week ago and I’m trying to gauge what’s normal in recovery. I’m 33 and otherwise healthy, and everything seems to be healing well from the surgery from what I can see. The issue is after a week of resting I’m still getting quite winded and out of breath when I am standing or doing much for more than a few minutes.

It looks like lots of people start to feel more or less back to normal around th...

Read More...

Surgical dressing

Hi, I’m new to the group.  Just had my pacemaker put in on Thursday, 9/26/19. They also removed my heart loop.  I guess I have a silly question.  My doctor told me to remove my surgical dressing today (Saturday). I was able to remove the dressing from my heart loop but the dressing for the pacemaker is giving me trouble.  The gauze is sticking to the surgical glue and I’m afraid to force it.  Of course it’s Saturday so the doctors office is closed an...

Read More...

Post Cardiac Injury Syndrome

Hello, I’m a 62 yr old female, had pacemaker surgery on Sept 12, 2019. During the procedure I woke up with excruciating pain in the right side of my chest chest. They were having trouble controlling the bleeding from the surgery site and also had to redo the leads. After surgery, I continued to complain about the pain in my right side when I took a breath or moved, the surgery site was not causing much discomfort. This right side chest pain has continued and on Sept 24 I saw my Primary,...

Read More...

Lead extraction

I’ve just learned my lead has failed and I need an extraction. I know it’s conolicated and carries risks. I’m wondering how you all have done. Also, getting a new placement of the new generator under the pectoral muscle and am a bit freaked by that - the recovery specifically. Any experiences would help me. Thanks! 

Read More...

Replacement surgery tomorrow

I'm scheduled to have my pacemaker replaced tomorrow.  I've had this one (my first one) for almost 11 years.  I went for a checkup back in March and they said come back in 6 months.  Went last week and they told me it should have been replaced in June.

I have no pain tolerance at all and was wondering about recovery time with the replacement.  I work at a sit down office job, although I do have to reach over my head from time to time during the day.  I f...

Read More...

No sure what to expect

Hi everyone.  I'm a 56 yr old male, that had no symptoms and collapsed at work on 9/11. I did have a right bundle branch block diagnosed about 15 years ago, but it had never caused any problems. I've always walked and kept myself in decent shape, as I have two college golfer sons that I follow.  I've walked 18 and 36 holes a day with no problems.

On 9/11 I collapsed at work, concussed (which I was told probably helped restart me) along with a pretty deep gash on th...

Read More...

a little nervous

HI all you wired people My name is Trish. I'm a 56 year old woman. Moderatly active. with a huge personality. I'm getting my pacemaker for the firstime. Don't really know what to expect. They didn't tell me much and I'm trying not to google it to death . Any words of incouragement would be welcome. Nothing that would be scary please. I'm thinking of calling it Metro (short for metronome)

Kind regards, Trish 

Read More...

4 days post surgery

Had my PM surgery on Thursday Sept 12, 2019. Even though I had trouble with bleeding, lead placement , and new medication (Cardizem), I was able to go to Zumba class today, Sept 16! During surgery, they had trouble stopping the bleeding, but finally got it under control, then the doctor didn’t like the placement of the leads and had to do it over, before they had closed. I have SSD, bradycardia-tachycardia and dr put me on Cardizem, which didn’t agree with me, dropped my BP to 80/...

Read More...

CRT-D

Hi, I’m due to have a pacemaker inserted under the muscle as apparently I’m too skinny to have it placed in the usual position. Can anyone tell me the recovery differences for this procedure? I’m a secondary school teacher and would also like to know when I can go back to work.

 

thanks.

Read More...

Can't bring arm across body

Hi everyone,

I just had my first PM implanted on 12 Sep (3 days ago). I've noticed that when I try to bring my left arm (affected arm) across my body, it's extremely uncomfortable (ie, far more comfortable than any other movement with the arm). My PM is implanted subcutaneously in the area where that movement occurs (below the collarbone, above the armpit, very close to [almost seems to be along the line of] where my shoulder bends to allow pulling the arm across the body)....

Read More...

pacemaker surgery

I am getting my pacemaker tomorrow.  This is all new to me.  Can I expect to feel differently almost immediately.  I feel a little tired all the time and cannot excercise strenuously as my heart rate does not stay up with my level of exersion.   I'll find out soon enough but was thought I'd ask.  Thanks for any replies. 

Read More...

airbag grocery store

Hi today did finally drive.  The airbag was not my concern.  I have a right shoulder that either should be replaced, or have bone graft.  I have Avascular Necrosis in it.    For the past 6 months my left arm was doing all.  Which is one of the reasons i did not drive sooner.  Needed to be able to use the left one some.    Which i did , of course could not figure where to place the seatbelt,  let alone how to attach the belt.  Now as i get...

Read More...

Starting new job

Hi,

My question is regarding long-term recovery from implantation of a FIRST pacemaker. I realize that everyone's experiences are different, but I'd really appreciate some input on what I might expect 2 to 6 weeks out in terms of overall health and energy levels, sleep, etc.

For some context, my surgery date might be 6 days before the start of a very rigorous (mentally, not physically) new job. This is a fantastic career opportunity for me, and I want to make a very strong...

Read More...

new here

I am new to this scene kids. (lost & frigthened). A recent ear/sinus upper respiratory infection on top of a high stress job exhausted me. Popped into visit my primary fully anticipating another round of antibiotics and some bloodwork. The universe had something completely different in mind. 

Six days in ICU and 12 million tests later I have a new ride or die. The Azure XT DR dual chamber pacemaker we named Kevin Pacey.  My heart is strong...no heart at...

Read More...

CRT-P

Today is one week after receiving CRT-P device.  

Before surgery, the surgeon told us his plans

- remove and replace lead in right ventricle that I had for 20 months, apparently it was not where it started and had been that way for a while 

- use balloon to widen my vein so 3 leads could fit

-  new lead to left ventricle and new device.

When I got my first device I found it a painful procedure and had a lot of swelling and bruising, not the &l...

Read More...

acupuncture

was looking to acupuncture to help heal .  Cardiologitst this morning said might get an effection. and should wait 4 weeks.  Did not plan to have the needles near my left arm.

Read More...

how i got here

hi am very new to this as have just had the pacemaker  installed on Aug 21st,2019.  Needless to say was not aware of any problems.  Knew for years that heart beat was slow.  Was going for shoulder replacement and the doctor required a stress test 30 days before.  Decided since no pain yet cancelled shoulder  surgery.  Heart dr said since have not seen him since 2016 should have echo, heart holter and stress test.  Expected to ge the results on Aug...

Read More...

Swelling above pm scar, feeling sad

I am 9 days after surgery. When I took dressing and steri strips off I was  shocked by what I saw. Above the scar line is swollen and misshapen. I phoned hospital yesterday and they called me on for a look at it. The doctor said it’s just swelling although the nurses were convinced it was a harmatoma. 

The doctor told me to take 5 days course of paracetamol. The swelling is painful. They did blood tests and they were clear. 

I hate looking at my scar and even...

Read More...

Partially open incision 2 weeks later

I got my first PM on July 30th. On Tuesday, the bottom of my incision started bleeding old brown blood. My EP sent me to the wound clinic, and I got the incision debrided and flushed with antibiotics. I go back next Tuesday. I have to change the dressing and repack the open hole at the bottom with collagen, so I took off the bandage today, and the top 3/4 of the incision looks great, but the bottom is still very open and deep and bleeding old blood still. Has anyone else experienced this...

Read More...

You know you're wired when...

You have a new body part.

Member Quotes

I consider my device to be so reliable, that I never think about a failure.