New pacemaker in 4 weeks

I am 28 yrs old and getting my first pacemaker in four weeks for skipped heart beats I developed after ablation last year. My EP says he is able to place my pm under my breast but the recovery is a bit longer compared to placing pm subcutaneously in chest. Has anyone else had there pm placed here and how was the recovery? Any problems with nerve pain or discomfort?

Thanks

2 Comments

Sub muscular implant

by Heidiglassmeyer - 2011-12-05 11:12:36

Hello, I had my pacemaker relocated under my chest muscle earlier this year. Although the recovery time took a little bit longer it was well worth it. I did find that the initial pain for the first few days was quite a bit worse but after the first 3 to 4 days the pain did improve slowly. There are a few things I would recommend to make your recovery a little less painful. Before you leave the hospital make sure that your pain is under control. I would suggest wearing a button-down shirt, bring a pillow for you to hug on the way home in the car, some may not recommend this but I was more comfortable having my arm in a sling to keep my arm close to my body for the first two days. It was also more comfortable sleeping with a pillow under my left shoulder that also supported my arm. The other thing I would suggest if you have not already would be to ask for a plastic surgeon to close the incision. I had a plastic surgeon close me up the second time and I was much happier with the results and you can hardly see my scar. I hope my comments and suggestions were helpful and please let me know if you have any other questions.

Take care,
Heidi

New pm

by noles586 - 2011-12-06 09:12:42

Hi,
I am a 27 year old female and just had my first pm placed about a month ago. I had a monitor placed under my breast and had to have it moved within a month of having it. I am quite thin so the monitor was constantly rubbing on my rib. If you are thin, I would say have the pm placed subcutaneously instead of under your breast. The only problem I have had with my pm site is that it is resting on a nerve because of lack of muscle to wall the pm in. Other than that, everything has been going well. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask!

Good luck,
Lindsey

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