Sub Muscular Implant

Hello all

I am fairly new to this website and couldnt find the answers I was looking for so I decided to make a post. I am 21 years old and have a pacemaker. Long story short I got it put in when I was 14 under the skin because my doc at the time said it was easiest. I have been involved in sports all my life and consider myself to be a pretty fit person. But lately Ive noticed my flexibility on my pm side is decreasing and my pm sometimes gets in the way of my motions. Im about due for a battery change and I was wondering about a sub-muscular implant. Here lies my question, can my doctor do a sub-musular implant when I previously just had it under my skin? And is the surgery what it says, placed under the muscle? Can someone just tell me about it? thx for the info

-E

4 Comments

Hi E

by Heidiglassmeyer - 2012-04-03 01:04:43

This is a popular topic lately :). I think there are still a few recent messages on the topic with great info if you want to check them out or even do a search to see older posts.

I had mine relocated under my chest muscle. In my experience they used the same pocket and moved the PM under the muscle. I am very active and having it under the muscle if far more comfortable. The surgery itself really was not that bad. I was also happy because they cleaned up my original scar when it was closed. At first I did have a lot of selling in the original pocket area and the recovery was more painful but WELL worth the pain. Once the swelling went down it was far less noticeable and now I barely feel it. My range of motion is much better now.

Good luck with your decision!
Heidi

Under Muscle

by donb - 2012-04-03 03:04:17

Hi, Heidi pretty much covered your questions. I just want to add after havingt 3 PMs' just under my skin on my left side was always a pain. My left site ended up a complete mess with the PM eroding. I had to have my 4th PM implanted on my right chest & it's been like a miracle. The healing took about the same time and the pain was less than my original imnplant. As I've posted I just don't even touch my new site as the PM is tucked snugly under my collar bone & secured very well, it does not move.

I had a differant surgeon do the implant along with another pair of leads. I was talking with my (nurse) wife just last week about not having any seat belt issues & doing bull work no pains. She said, well you shouldn't as my PM is under my muscle. I really didn't know it as I had real issues with my restoration, 2 surgeries to restore my old site. So, lo & behold I now have a nice cushion over my PM & it will be that way with my next PM change.

Addition

by donb - 2012-04-03 03:04:59

I forgot to mention about choosing the surgeon doing the implant. I would classify my original Cardiologist as tops in his work but not as skillfull as my last Dr. I had a skin specialist do my restoration which he had to redo & it's OK but was not a piece of art. Hopefully your upcoming surgeon has the skill to do a good under muscle implant without causing lots of injury & pain after the surgery.

donb

Another addition :)

by Heidiglassmeyer - 2012-04-04 12:04:35

After reading Don's reply I just wanted to add that my sub-muscular placement was done by a plastic surgeon. I believe you are male but I found that because the surgeon had a lot of experience with breast implants she would be far better at the PM placment and have more experience in getting under the muscle with ease. She just happened to be my EP's wife, otherwise I never would have thought twice about choosing the surgeon. I'm sure a surgeon that does a lot of sub-muscular implants would be just as good but I took advantage of the opportunity. She also did an amazing job cleaning up my original scar! Anyway, something else to consider and may be helpful info to others :)

Heidi

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