is this normal?

HI: I had my old pacemaker taken out 2 days ago at the new vascular hospital in buffalo new york. They replaced it with a medtronic adapta model. The new pacemaker is working like a charm.but I feel like Ive been run over by a truck. Im weak and the soreness around the pressure bandage is bad. The medtronic rep told me I would feel worse after this surgery because of the large amount of scar tissue they had to deal with. I was told to leave the pressure bandage on until sunday.and not to shower until then. I dont see any new bleeding or anything but there is an awful lot of bruising around the site and thats been there since the procedure. Im not sure what to expect but I dont remember wearing this pressure bandage for six days 9 years ago when i had the other surgery. Please tell me if im being a baby, I just want to get this bandage off it feels like my collarbone is broken. THANK YOU RMGD

5 Comments

not a baby

by Tracey_E - 2012-11-29 04:11:13

When I had my last one replaced there was an excess of scar tissue also, had a plastic surgeon clean it up and rebuild the pocket. I didn't have a pressure bandage but I was pretty sore for a couple of days. It got better quickly. Hope you feel better soon!

thanks tracey

by rosemarys granddaughter - 2012-11-29 04:11:52

I never thought scar tissue could make the procedure harder, but I was mostly awake during the replacement and my doctor was really pulling and tugging with it. I hope I wake up tomorrow and its much improved. THANKS AGAIN RMGD

No Baby!

by donr - 2012-11-29 06:11:02

RMGD: If it hurts, it HURTS!!!!!

If you felt him tugging & pulling a lot, he probably had a tough time cutting through & around the scar tissue. If you see a lot of bruising, it's because a lot of tissue was injured in the procedure. I had a shoulder repaired completely w/ a 'scope - which meant only 3 small holes in the shoulder & I wound up w/ bruising in an area as large as two hands laid flat on the skin. OTOH, when I had my three PM jobs done, I had very little bruising & little soreness.

All depends on what he had to do while cutting & grubbing around in your chest.

Probably does not help, the mystery of what's under the bandage, since you cannot see it.

Let's see, now, Sunday starts at midnight, Saturday. Just sit up watching TV till then & as soon as the clock in the hall stops Bonging 12 AM, Run into the bathroom & rip that bandage off & jump into the shower! You'll feel better!

Cheers!

Don

be prepared

by rosemarys granddaughter - 2012-11-29 06:11:57

Thanks for the response Don. It does hurt like the devil and looks like it too. I think Ill have my son take a picture and post it in the gallery later tonight. I know he was having trouble because the pacemaker rep probobly would not have told me to prepare for some bad soreness unless she knew something I didnt. RMGD

Good Logic

by donr - 2012-11-29 07:11:18

RMGD: You are probably 100% correct. Why did the surgeon not tell you that himself? Sounds like a bit of lousy communications.

With a weekend coming up, you have a decision to make. If there is no change in level of soreness at all by tomorrow noon, I'd call the surgeon's office about it. You do not want to face a weekend w/ a shoulder that is still killing you & face an ER trip decision in the event it seems to get worse.

Good luck w/ that thing.

Don

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But I think it will make me feel a lot better. My stamina to walk is already better, even right after surgery. They had me walk all around the floor before they would release me. I did so without being exhausted and winded the way I had been.