Lead Extraction !

I am going in Monday morning, which is four days away, to have lead extraction and a new pacer implanted. This will be my fourth surgery. The first surgery I had a pacer and two leads, ended up with a collapsed lung twice and 12 days in a hospital. My second surgery turned bad when they found a screw was stripped trying to remove old battery. I also got an infection due to suture being rejected and then had a third surgery called pocket revision. Now one of my oldest lead wires (12 years old) is broken and it has to be extracted. The physician will also be removing and replacing the other 12 year old wire and implanting a brand new Medtronic pacer. I am so terrified of this surgery and the risk and just would like to know what to expect. Like recovery time.. How does it differ from regular pacer implant, maybe some complications some of you have had, and things that may help me calm down or remember to ask. I have three wires now and my heart rate even with my pacer is only around 40 which for me is miserable. Thank God I get this taken care of but I am so scared. Please share anything even if it is a horror story and how you overcame it ! Thanks !!

5 Comments

Thank you!

by mbaker87 - 2015-06-19 01:06:00

I will be having them done in Albany, GA. The doctor performing it does it every week and has a great team behind him. I live in a town a hour away from Albany so it won't be too long of a drive !

Less worried!

by mbaker87 - 2015-06-19 01:06:30

Thanks iu for your kind words and I will definitely update! Just finished up pre-op registration and I'm good to go! Now to enjoy this last weekend of mobility and freedom from pain ! Hoping I feel brand new after recovery!

Understand your concern

by Creaky - 2015-06-19 01:06:46

Many of us have been through lead extraction and are doing well. Risks nowadays, due to years of experience and refined techniques, are not as worrisome as they used to be so you should be fine. Good luck. Let us know how you do.

Simple procedure

by doublehorn48 - 2015-06-19 04:06:05

The Cleveland Clinic says that lead extraction is a simple procedure.

Medtronic says to find a doctor that has a lot of experience with lead extraction.

Your doctor has experience and has a good team.

Too bad everyone facing surgery Monday doesn't have the success rate for their procedure that your procedure has. (Cleveland Clinic 99.5%)

Keep us posted.

Good luck and God bless

mbaker87

by zawodniak2 - 2015-06-19 12:06:33

I am sure everything will go great with these procedures. If I may ask, for my future reference, where are you having your procedures done?
Good luck'
Rodger

You know you're wired when...

Your old device becomes a paper weight for your desk.

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