Most Recent Messages in Surgery & Recovery

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When can I fly?

I have decided to put in a pacemaker. I have had a slow heart beat for many years. I have no symptoms. However as my heart rate is around 35-40 most of the time and getting a bit slower over the past 4 years, my doctor is pushing me to put in a pacemaker. I am in good shape, 65 years old, live an active life. Mostly I want the pacemaker because my right shoulder needs a rotator cuff surgery so I can continue to play basketball. Can I still play basketball with a pacemaker?

Some...

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1st time

hi there
i go into hospital tomorrow morning to have a pacemaker fitted for the 1st time. i am apprehensive and a little scared. i am told it is 60 - 90 mims proceedure and to stay in hospital over night. i was diagnosed with a slow heart rate, this was discovered after being cardioverted twice for af. i went straight back into af even when the 2nd time i was given flecanide to keep my heart rate in rythem
could anyone tell me the recovery time as i am due to start looking after my fr...

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To all the wonderful heart.

I want to thank everyone that sent me messages and explained a lot of things to me. My appointment is tomorrow in Pittsburgh and I am ready for whatever is to come. I will let everyone know how it goes. I am not afraid now sooooo a big thank you to all.

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Thanks for being there

I got up this morning after a good nights sleep. I had been having a hard time sleeping as I did not want to take the pain medicine and was not. Yesterday a friend that knows me well told me to take what the doctor ordered before I went to bed. This I did and had a good nights sleep and woke up rested and in good spirits. To get on the computor this morning and find all your support was also a God sent. Your suggestions were so good. As suggested I have read many of the messages, which I h...

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new member

I had a pacemaker put in on June 12, 2009. They did an ablation and pacemaker, so I am dependent on it. I would appreciate if someone could share their experience for healing and things that are down the road. fl-grandma

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New to this

Hi everyone, I was told on Monday that my cardiologist wanted to put in a pacemaker because of severe bradycardia. I opted for a second opinion which I go for on Wednesday the 24th of June to Magee Womens Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pa. I am scared to death. I am so afraid of what life will be like. I have just recently lost 140 lbs and I exercise daily. Actually twice a day. I do a good Cardio workout in the morning and then do weight training at night. I live for this. I don't want to stop...

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Pain

I just found this web site:)
I had my pacemaker surgery about 3 months ago. I am still having pain at the surgery site, when I move a certain way, when I sleep in a certain position too long, when material touches the site, pretty much most of the time. It is usually hurting, sore, sensitive, and itchy.
I went to my doctor Friday. He told me that the symptoms "will go away". Is that true? When? Can I put anything on it to help with the topical pain and itching? My arm also hurts a lot....

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Just Found Out

Well I am 15 and I just found out that I might be getting a pacemaker. I have quite a few questions.

First how bad is the pain after the surgery?

Second how noticable will the pacemaker and scar be?

and Third how long will it be before I am feeling back to my old self with no pain?

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Incision Healing

Hi, I had my pacemaker implanted on May4. For the most part my incision healed up great. The end 1/8" where they bring the neddle out has still not healed up completely. My doctor says it is fine and will heal with time. The rest of it had the self disolving stitches so I had no problems with it. How long should it take for that one part to heal up completely? Is it better to add something like polysporin on it to keep it moist or to just leave it dry?

Thanks
Stacey

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I need to help my mom.

My mom is 66 yrs old and she is in congestive heart failure. She is having a defibrillator implanted on 6/22. She is a stomach sleeper and have been told that she won't be able to sleep on her stomach anymore. Are there any pillows or anything that help you from sleeping on your stomach? What will happen if she accidently rolls over? Is it for the just the recovery period or from here on out? Any info you can provide me will be greatly appreciated.

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2nd surgery in 6 months.

Hi.

Just a quick one. I have had a pacemaker for 6months, treating NCS, and i've had lots of problems with it moving. I've just had a check up with my surgeon, and they'll be doing another lot of surgery in two weeks to secure it in place. I've had a sider insertion, and instead of putting it back where it was, they're moving it into my muscle.
I'm a little worried about the recovery with this. I presume it will be a longer and more painful recovery being inside the muscle....

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Pacemaker put in 1 week ago : (

After trying meds for atrial fib & flutter with 2 second pauses, I now have a PM.. It’s only been 7 days, but i’m ready to start doing push-ups, weight lift & run into burning buildings again. There is no pain at the site. My left shoulder aches from being told by Dr that I cannot raise my elbow above shoulder for 2 weeks. Dr told me NO push-ups or any upper body exercise for 6 weeks : ( He said I can then do all the push-ups I can do, but only light weightlift training. No s...

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Using Arm After 6 Weeks

I am getting close to my 6 weeks post surgery. I know that they say you shouldn’t lift your arm over 90 degress or lift more than 10 lbs for the first 6 weeks. After the 6 weeks how gradual do you have to ease into using your arm again? Is there a general guide line as to how much you should do for the first while, etc? Thanks.

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Having it in the morning

I’m having my PM/ Difbulater put in in the morning and I’m scared, infact I can’t sleep. Was wondering what should I excpect to feel after it’s all done? Will I be able to sleep and any other thing you can tell me I might expect in the beginning?

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struggling w pacemaker implant

I am a 32yr old female who had a dual pacemaker implanted on May 05, 2009. I have been struggling with this since it was done. I have had three heart procedures in the last two months, the last was to insert the pacemaker with a thoracotomy. My heart rate prior to the procedures were 160 to 200, now it is still in the 130’s. I am depressed and struggling. I have not been able to work since February. I am always tired, my blood pressure when I awake in the mornings is frequently 159/111. I...

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Pacemaker

Hi everyone,

Having my pacemaker replaced today. It has lasted nine years so first time for replacement. Am a little nervous. What am I to expect? Does it take as long to recover as the first time?

Remember me today.

Sue

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Intro and having surgery soon

Hello everyone I'm Van and I just joined thi s group hoping for some support. I have had two open heart surgeries last year, one to repair my mitral vaulve and the other to replace it. I was told by my Cardiologist yesturday that I needed to get a Metronic Heart Failure Pacemaker/Defibrillator. I spoke to my wife and i called my doctor today to tell him that was going to get it. I'm not very happy about it , but i know that I need it to keep me alive. I haven't scheduled a day for the percedure...

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Tired After Implant

I had a dual chamber pacemaker implant about 3 weeks ago. I am walking 2 miles per day, but this is making me so tired that I go home to sleep soundly for atleast 1-2 hours. My pacing is set at 70bpm. Prepacing, my rate went down to the 30s. I am determined to get better and back in shape. I have only walked 5 times - 1 per day.

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recovery time after a 3rd lead?

Had my medtronic pacer implanted after heart block in October, now a third lead needs to be implanted bc my valves arent closing with rapid heart rate. Does anyone know how long recovery time is for adding a lead?

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Plastic Surgery to reduce scaring

We have just learned that our 13 year old daughter will need to have her pacemaker replaced. She has only had it about 3 years, but it is one of those Medtronic Sigma devices that are subject to the latest recall. She has already had several major heart surgeries, and we are devastated that she will have to go through yet another procedure, and much sooner than we anticipated. She already has a number of scars from her earlier procedures, including the original pacemaker placement, which was d...

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