Most Recent Messages in Surgery & Recovery

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Getting PM next Friday... What to expect?

Hello. I have inappropriate sinus tachycardia. I've have four EP studies that equalled two ablations on extra pathways and this last one Jan 4th 2012 I had a sinus node modification. The day after I was released I was rushed back to the ER with my heart rate in the 20-30's. Stayed a week in hospital to decide of I needed a pacemaker. Since being released I have had spells of heart rate being in the 40's and other times in the 110's.

Sorry to write so much, just nervous. Not of the pa...

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Pacemaker recovery and dog

Hi I'm going to have a pacemaker put in and heart cath on Monday. What I'm wondering is will I be able to walk my dog when I come home Tuesday? She has to be leashed and pulls so I'm a little concerned and wonder if I need to get help for her. Also in general how long has it been until you were able to drive etc. Thanks for the help. I guess all of a sudden I'm nervous.

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co-arctation of aorta

hi,my hubby's 32 years old and his got a 95% blockage in his aorta from birth.we only found out 6 months ago.my doctor sugests surgery.how do we prepare for this operation?he is asteamatic and his lungs functions only 40%.we've heard that post surgery that there is chances of clots forming in the lungs is this true?how can we prevent this?please help

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post op and bras

Just a word of advice to women. Get yourself a strapless bra pre-op preferably one that is front fastening. The straps rub on the wound and induce more scarring and redness. It is also impossible to fasten bras for a couple of days as you need to be careful with the attachment of the wires

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Pacemaker replacement 2/21/12

Hi, I discovered this site and joined on 1/26/12. I am having pacemaker replacement surgery on 2/21. I was told it will be outpatient, I will be in the hospital a few hours and I can go home. The last time I had my pacemaker replaced, which was 1/04, I was in hospital six hours. I forgot, how soon can I get back to my normal activities, such as driving? I live alone & shop for food, go to a laundromat, and so on, but I know I have to be careful for some time. Just want to sort things out...

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Just got my pacemaker

I'm writing this from my hospital bed. Yesterday, I received my Biotronik Evia pacemaker to treat my vasovagal syncope. My left arm is in a sling, and the bruise forming on top of my pacemaker is starting to hurt. The surgery took 30-45 minutes. I was semi- conscious during the operation and did feel it being inserted. It hurt a little but was tolerable.

I'm looking forward to going home today. The Biotronik rep was in the operating room with me, and, it turns out he lives less than a...

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Checkup tomorrow

HI.........Had my PM implanted Jan. 11th------no problems at all, wouldn't even know it's there. Appt. with surgeon tomorrow to get discharged from his care and get transferred to cardio Dr. Want to know when I can get back to playing golf.......better be pretty soon !!!!!!! Getting antsy.......
GER

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3 days later

I had a pace maker upgrade on Thursday and last night (Saturday) I had a nightmare and jumped out of bed. I am nervous in my sudden movement I may have moved the third lead that was added?? I don’t feel different but to be honest I haven’t felt that different after the procedure so I am not sure if I would really notice. Does any one know what the chances are of the lead moving?

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Under skin or Under muscle?

It seems the EP is going to give me a choice do I want my pacemaker implanted under my skin or muscle?

I am not vain. I don't care if it shows even thru my clothes, I think so anyway......

So please help me with some stories to back up whatever decision I make.

1. I feel it will be a longer recovery if I have it under muscle. Am I correct?

2. Changing the battery in 10 years (I am 62) may be more difficult if the pacemaker is under muscle? Am I co...

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New PM

Hi there,

I just got an ICD/PM installed last week. submuscular. So far, so good. My presyncopal bradyarrythmia seems to be cured. I was wondering about a couple of things, however: how long will my collarbone feel like there is a parrot standing on it and is it normal to occasionally hear and feel little popping sounds coming from the chest area after the implantation? There's no pain or SOB but it's just plain weird!

Love this site by the way.

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scar cream

My 17 year old daughter will be getting her first pacemaker in Feb. She has asked me to buy her creams to help any scars that she will receive, fade. I do not know of any. Are creams available, and if so do they work and will they be ok to use? Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Thank you

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im back!!!

i cant remember the last time i posted a comment because i have finally had my surgery. i had a brand new pacer put in on december 13th, with NO insurance!! my precious family doctor pulled some strings with the local hospital here and i had my implant free! so, there are still great caring people around. talk about refreshing! so, dr. clardy, you are my angel!! i have recovered fully, and am feeling wonderful, better than i have in years. i had a boston scientific pacer put in, whom i had n...

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PDH12

I had my ICD implanted on Friday, Jan.13/2012.The surgery went well, the immediate recovery went well and after the confirming xray was clear to go home. First dressing came off within 48 hours,and the second the next day.No bleeding and minimal discomfort. Needed no pain relief at all. The one piece of great advice was to have a firm pillow pressed firmly against my chest while sleeping on my left side. It kept my left shoulder from drooping and pinching the ICD, incision, and any other collato...

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After 10 year olds surgery

My 10 years old son had a new pacemaker put in last week. we went to his check up and the doctor says that there is fluid laying on top of the pacemaker. that we have to keep a close eye on it. and also he had a pacemaker that has been in his belly area removed. that site is very swollen and the doctor says that there is a build up of blood laying under the incision. Has this happened to anyone before ? and if so what do they do for this ?

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Used to it

I get dull pains in my left arm sometimes in the armpit area and a little bit down the arm it is just a dull sore ache more or less and if I move just right at the top part of the device. How long does it take for the nerves and muscles to repair?

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Post-op (they didn't test my defib)

Hi,

They've implanted my firts defibrillator yesterday. I feel a twinge in my left shoulder and where the defib was put which is totally normal after only 24 h.

What I was wondering is that they didn't test my defib yesterday right after they've implanted it. Aren't they always supposed to put you to sleep for a couple of minutes in order to shock you and test the 'machine'?

Thanks for your answers.

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GER IS HOME !!!

Hi ..... Went into Day Surgery yesterday, 1/11/12, to have pacemaker implant. Operation at 7:30, met with surgeon, anaesthesiologist, and rep from Medtronic prior to surgery.   All went well and this a.m.another rep from Medtronic came to my room early for a post-op check of my pacemaker.  Surgeon came into room & said I could go home----so here I am.

No pain at site, bandage can be taken off tomorrow, sling for another day. Lots of do’s and dont’...

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"tiredness" reporting again

It is now day 4 after op and I am happy to report I am feeling much better. I called the cardio and she said it was just post op reaction to drugs even although I did not have a general.
I am very relieved I feel so much better, did the washing, hanging out one arm stye. Looking forward to swimming, cycling and walking again with our beautiful warm weather in Perth.
Best wishes to the group you have been so supportive and informative. I will still follow for hints on life with a PM....

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Left Shoulder&Neck Pain 3.5 Months PostOp

I am a 41 year old female living in Ontario, Canada, and I got my pacemaker implanted 3.5 months ago (electrical signals in my heart didn't always work, so my heart would stop pumping and I would pass out). Because I didn't lift my arm for the 6-8 weeks after surgery, my arm and shoulder were very sore when I did start lifting. I find that first thing in the morning I have full range of movement with my left arm and hardly no pain at all. Then as the day goes on, I lose this range of movement an...

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1st Check up - 'All ok' - Not in my opinion

Hi All,

Firstly Ian, Frank, Smitty, Mike, Kar4n and Cabg thanks for your helpful comments and advice on my previous posts,they pushed me to continue trying to get some answers so................

I eventually managed to get an appointment to get my pacemaker checked, this happened tuesday and it appears my appointment has gone the way of many others that have posted on here but im looking for a bit of hope as i can feel myself getting more down to the verge of depression by...

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You know you're wired when...

Like the Energizer Bunny, you keep going.

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I live an extremely normal life now and my device does NOT hinder me in any way.