Will I be awake for surgery?

Hi, I am a 39 year-old female who is having a pacemaker put in two weeks from today for bradycardia. I had gastric bypass surgery last November, and since then, my heart has been slowing down considerably. I've lost allllll my excess weight (90 pounds!), but the downside is needing the pacemaker now. I'm very nervous about the surgery since my understanding is you aren't sedated for it. What can you tell me about the actual surgery? Will I be groggy like an endoscopy and I won't remember a thing? Or will I have to watch them do the cutting/placement of the pacemaker? Please calm my nerves about this as it's keeping me awake at night. I can handle the pain fine afterward, I'm just nervous about the actual implantation. Also, I'm a teacher. Will my life be pretty normal after the surgery? Thanks for any advice!

12 Comments

Sedation

by cohara - 2012-07-16 01:07:18

I also teach--high school students. I took two weeks off after the surgery. The two weeks worked well; I was able to handle my ninth graders without tiring too much. However, everyone is different. Your experience might be slightly different than mine. Your body will let you know when it s ready.

As for sedation, I have absolutely no memory of the procedure. I woke up an hour and a half later feeling great. If you read other posts on this site, you'll discover that how you are sedated varies.

I would talk to the doctor doing the surgery. Tell him your fears and ask about sedation. I had no advance notice; my implant was an emergency . I was rolled into surgery with fifteen minutes notice. Since you have the time, take advantage and make yourself heard. Communicate your needs. Any doctor worth patronizing will listen. If not, find one worth patronizing.

Getting the pacemaker and all the initial angst is the worse part. You are going to enjoy how much better you will feel.

Wishing you a stress free surgery,

Carol

I was awake

by ohiolaura - 2012-07-16 01:07:31

I had my PM put in 2 weeks ago today and I was awake.
It was fine.Maybe it varies from hospital to hospital and surgeon to surgeon,I dont know.
I was in a relaxed state,had local shots around the area,so I didnt feel any pain,but I did feel pressure when the Dr was doing her thing.
I can relate it to this,having a C-section in your chest,if you ever had one of those,I did.Feel pressure and tugging,but no real pain.
I thought it kinda cool to listen,and almost know what was going on.Plus,they have to do some testing,and will ask you a few things while theyre testing it out,so you need to be awake I suppose.
I remember it all,esp being only 2 weeks ago,but thats ok.This is the best place Ive found to get info and answers.
Good luck,you'll be fine,by the way Im a few years older than you,5 I think,and the only other thing I can say is if your skin isnt loose,and your muscle is pretty firm in the area,the Dr may have to beat you up a bit to make room for the PM,mine did,but its all ok.
Guess the price to pay for being youngish?

I was awake also

by SMH - 2012-07-16 01:07:31

I was given a light sedative. I remember being wheeled into the OR. I mostly remember how cold it was in there. I could hear people talking, but don't remember a thing. I did not feel anything. The worse pain was late that night, my armpit was so sore but that was it. I went home the next morning.
To me the worst part has been psychological. It really was a traumatic experience for me. Although it has been 3 years since my surgery, I still have the "what if questions" and doubts. Glad I had it done or I would not be here, I also was bradycardia, but it still works on your emotions.
Good luck!

Not bad!!

by Jax - 2012-07-16 01:07:35

I had my pm for 3 months now. The actual procedure was not terrible at all. I was really very nervous.

They litely sedated me with propofol, not sure of the spelling and out I went. It's what they give you when you have a colonoscopy. I didn't feel a thing. There is some discomfort but not to bad. My left shoulder was hurting me for a while. Just have blouses or shirts ready to wear cause they are easier to put on. You can't lift you pm arm higher than ur shoulder. Some big old tops work well to
speak to your EP and ask him what he is going to use to relax you. You have the right to know all info.

PM Surgery

by donb - 2012-07-16 06:07:40

Well, guess what?? I have a dentist appointment in the morning & I'm fretting more about 3 fillings done than any of my PM surgeries. It's been pretty much (a -piece-of-cake)for me with 7 PM related serguries included relocation to my right chest with my 4th PM & another pair of leads.

With today's anesthetics properly given I have lost all fear of operating room tactics. I've had major back surgery & just recently had Paracardial Window surgery for removing fluid around my heart & no anesthetic reaction. And, I know how bad it can be as I've had 14 surgeries in my 80 years of life where the after effects were worse than the pain from the surgery.

So, go with the flow and tell your Dr. you want the happy juice & if you wake while they're still pushing around in your incision, just roll your eyes back & tell the anethasist he didn't do his job. After getting home invest in some nice fluffy feather pillows to support your arm & shoulder to ease the pain while sleeping. Good Luck !!
donb

I was asleep both times

by Paul_B65 - 2012-07-16 06:07:52

Just had my second one put in after 41/2 years on the first. Not a problem and it sure beats the alternative (pun intended). Just go night night and then a pretty nurse wakes you up. In your case maybe a handsome one! Worst part is not having a regular shower for 7 days! I hate sponge baths. :) I am retired , I travel and ski in the winter so life is pretty normal for me.

PJB

Thank you!

by yellowallpaper - 2012-07-17 09:07:41

Thank you so much for the re-assurances! I'm really grateful for the knowledge that's available on this website. I think it's just my fear of the unknown. I had some kidney issues back in March with stones and had a kidney stint put in, and the pain was unbearable! I know the pacemaker will not be nearly as bad as that. I'm really looking forward to feeling better, not being as fatigued and light-headed and enjoying my weight loss! I don't start back to "teacher meetings" until three weeks after my surgery, so I'll have plenty of time to get used to the new "me." I teach juniors and seniors, so it isn't too terribly taxing. Motivating them is my biggest job challenge....lol

surgery

by SUPERSALE - 2012-07-17 12:07:45

i was asleep while i was in surgery i don't want to see nothing

Its your choice

by ElectricFrank - 2012-07-18 02:07:37

It can range all the way from only numbing shots in the area to total anesthesia. The most common seems to be pain shots along with one of the amnesia drugs or a sedative.

In my case I chose to be totally awake with no sedatives both for my original implant and for a replacement. It wasn't forced on me. In fact it took some talking to the anesthesiologist to get him to do the first surgery that way.

Bottom line talk it over before surgery and make your choice. It's your body and sanity.

frank

#1 Grandma

by #1grandma - 2012-07-18 12:07:01

I had my surgery two years come this next October 12th and can honestly say i did not feel a thing! I too was afraid of not knowing what to expect. I am so thankful that I found this sight and was able to calm my fears. I remember being wheeled in to the operating room and the nurses showing me what they were going to do and that was all I remembered until I was wheeled back to my room. I can truthfully say that I had no pain! i had my settings adjusted a few times but last December it was set just right. Now I don't even know it's there. Good luck! I'm sure you'll do just fine.

AFTER MY surgery

by SUPERSALE - 2012-07-18 12:07:14

IN MARCH 12 AFTER MY SURGERY I think doctor give me some happy jucie when they roll me back to the room i was laughing (doctor might give me laugh gas) 1st night was hurt i was getting hot they bring me fan that blow on me .. i was in private room

Surgery was moved up and I was "kind of" awake

by yellowallpaper - 2012-07-21 06:07:52

I was having futher problems keeping my heartbeat out of the 30/40's this past week, so they put my pacemaker in yesterday. I was aware at the end of the procedure and felt just a bit of pressure, but my my memory of any of it is pretty sketchy. I have been surprised by how much it hurts so far, but it's already improving. I'm glad it's in and over with. They told me the upper chamber paced 77% of the time during the first 24 hours.

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