Sugery

I am a little scared because on May 7, I am having surgery on my knee, torn medius. I have not had surgery since my pacemaker in 2002. I have never been scared about going under, but I guess its the pacemaker. Some advice...

7 Comments

Surgery

by gsue55 - 2008-04-19 03:04:59

Hi,

I had my implant in Sept of 07' and since have had a pocket revision to put the Pm under a muscle so it would stop hurting and moving around on me and, I just had a shoulder ( Left side same as my PM) in March. I was put to sleep for all of them other than the first one with the PM. I did not have any problems as a matter of fact, the doc that did my shoulder put some type of metal thingy across my Pm to protect it.

I am well and doing fine.

Good Luck to You
Gsue55/Gloria

No Problem

by Lotti - 2008-04-19 08:04:21

Hi there.

I have had my pacemaker for two years and also had general anaesthetics since implantation.

There were no issues arrising from the PM at all. I just made sure that they were aware that I had one in the first place. LOL

Hope the procedure goes well. Sounds very similar to what my hubby is waiting for too.

All the best

Lotti

hi

by pacergirl - 2008-04-19 09:04:02

Seems like such a small word.... hi...... and yet so important... bridges a lot of fears for me.

I have had surgery since the PM implant and I can tell you I felt a lot safer with the pacer working for me than without it. I suffer from heart block and bradycardia.... slow, irregular heartbeats plus it just quits and when it does work??? not both chambers as I understand it.

So, surgery for me with the pacer is a lot safer than without one. I know I will wake up!

Best of luck to you, take care of that knee.

Blessing, Pacergirl

surgery

by thomast - 2008-04-19 11:04:54

I just had surgery on my thumb and was put to sleep, I have a bi-vin in sync unit and had no problems. 30 minutes after waking up my wife was driving me home, about 70 miles.

Should not be a problem.....

by auntiesamm - 2008-04-20 11:04:35


You should be absolutely fine. The drugs are so well defined and timed it is amazing. Got my PM in May 2006 had a total knee replacement June 2007, and just last week had a partial bone removal in a toe. The anesthesia is amazing. You're out, then you're awake! Don't remember a thing!!!!! With the TKR last summer I actually had a spinal anesthesia but also was sedated so I did not hear, see or feel a thing! Good luck and don't worry. Take care and God bless you and your bum knee. Boy, do I know bum knees!!!!!!!

Sharon

You'll be fine!

by bambi - 2008-04-20 12:04:43

This past November, I had knee surgery to remove my meniscus and repair a ligament. I had general anesthesia, and had no problems. The recovery room nurse did stay with me the entire period in recovery seated at my bedside to monitor my heart rate. She seemed concerned that I was continually pacing, but I assured her I am paced almost 100% in the atrium. I was able to go home a few hours later, and recover in comfort at home! The anesthesiologist will know you have a pacemaker, and he/she will know what precautions to take. Try to relax. Best wishes,
Bambi

My experience

by janetinak - 2008-04-21 12:04:50

Hi,

I had both knees replaced (each 6 wks apart) & was under general anesthesia about 3 hrs for each. I am 100% paced in the ventricles. Then after that was done I had to have the lead & PM changed out about 6 months later. All went well for all 3 surgeries. Like Sharon above states the drugs are are great now & just tell everybody about your PM. My Ortho wanted a clearance from my Cardio before the 1st knee surgery
& this is something you might want to see if the knee doc might want done before your surgery.

Good luck & let us know how it goes,

Janet

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Member Quotes

Hi, I am 47 and have had a pacemaker for 7 months and I’m doing great with it.