Questions about my upcoming surgery

My surgery is April 1st, and I have a few questions that I'm hoping some of you can answer. My doctor tells me that it will only take me a week to a week and a half to recuperate. Is this the normal amount of time it takes to recover? She also told me I can't raise my arm on the side they do it on for 6 weeks. Is this to do everything (wash my hair, dry my hair, sleep)? I'm sure it is, but that seems really hard! I read somewhere that you are awake during surgery. Is this true? That freaks me out!!! Also, my doctor said they would put it in more on my side and under the breast muscle (I'm 27). How long is the scar? Thanks to anyone who has some answers. :)

15 Comments

Everybody is Different

by mikesmom93 - 2010-03-04 08:03:19

I got my ICD implanted on a Monday, went home Tuesday, was totally bored by Thursday, and went back to work on Friday. I felt totally fine, and didn't really think I had a reason to stay home. It was best to go back to work (for me) and keep myself occupied!

While the incision site was sore, it wasn't that bad at all, and I only took one Tylenol the night after I had the surgery and that was it. No need for anything else after that. I felt great, every day the pain was less and less, and after the first two weeks, it was almost like I'd never had surgery.

Yes, you will need to keep your arm down. Invest in some button down shirts - makes getting dressed easier. Just be careful with it -- I used my arm normally after the first two weeks, I just didn't raise my elbow higher than my shoulder, and didn't lift anything heavy with that arm. I have to admit that I pretty much forgot the ICD was there, so more than once I "forgot" and raised my arm higher than I was supposed to, but all was okay. Just baby it a little!

My scar is only two inches long. I had surgery in late November of 09. Mine is under the skin, and you would never even know it is there except for the scar, and even that isn't all that noticeable.

Good luck to you! All will be okay!

Melissa

Re: to Swatford

by LS - 2010-03-04 09:03:00

Yes, no raising the arm on the side of the implant. Mine said 8 weeks. I'm adjusting to sleeping on my right side. LOL I drove the day after surgery. Just discomfort from the seat belt. My bra strap really bothered the site too, so that hung off my shoulder. (Glad it's winter)
The site was tender (for me) for a good 4 weeks, but didn't slow me down one bit.
I was awake & talking to them. The thought of anesthetics scare me, so I was glad not to be out of it.
I'm sure you'll be just fine. You're quite young & I'm sure will heal & mend fast.
Best of luck to you!!
Liz

Mine...

by AndiC - 2010-03-04 09:03:01

I had my 1st ICD put in on Feb 8th...and am still having some pain. I had read how some people felt normal in several days and was VERY depressed when all I wanted to do was cry for a week! It took 12 days before I could lay flat or turn on my side in bed. Mine is under my breast tissue and I do believe alot of my pain was due to the muscles and tissues nerves dying around the pocket. I am small (5'2", 117) and you cant see my ICD and my incision is about 6 in long...but nothing bad at all! If yours is just a PC, it might even be smaller??

I was so scared about the surgery itself...and I dont remember a thing!

I am now feeling alot better. I just want you to know that you need to give yourself time to heal. I took pain pills for 2 weeks and am still taking some tylenol when I accidently move wrong and the implant shifts a little...it still hurts some.

Also...each of my bras fit a little different...some helped hold the ICD more stable and helped...others made the incision hurt.

Praying for you! Let us know how your doing!!
Andrea

recovery

by Tracey_E - 2010-03-04 09:03:41

Yes, most people are awake but not all of us remember! I had versed last time, don't remember a thing. I'm on my 4th pm now, got my first one at your age (27) and I am 43 now.

Kudos to your dr for thinking about where it will go! Mine is under the breast also but it was put in from the side rather than the top and buried all the way behind the breast, so deep I can't even feel the edges of it. They were a lot larger when I got my first one, that would be overkill now and your dr's idea is perfect. The scar varies depending on your surgeon, how much trouble they have getting the leads in, and what size device you get, but you an expect it to be around 2".

We're all different and have different tolerances for pain but most people feel pretty good by a week to two weeks, 100% by 6-8 weeks. Burying it under the muscle means recovery will be a little longer but it's not bad at all! Just a little longer.

I had my last one replaced 5 weeks ago, got a new lead and had a plastic surgeon clean up the scar tissue from my last replacements, so this is more intense than my first one was, way more involved than yours will be. I took something stronger to sleep the first few nights but got by on Tylenol during the day. Had the surgery Monday, by Thurs I didn't need the Tylenol. I'm still a little sore if I move the wrong way or at night if I've had a busy day, but I've been at the gym regularly (cardio only, no weights until after 6 weeks) and doing just about anything I'd normally so since the second week.

Yes, you'll need to be careful with your left arm. I find sleeping while hugging a pillow keeps me from rolling on my sore side or moving the arm when I sleep. For the first week, I had my hair dresser wash my hair for me! I didn't even try to do it, esp the first few days when the dressing has to stay dry. By the second week, most of the soreness is gone and I figured out how to wash it mostly one handed, sort of tilted my head to the side so I could get the left side without raising the left arm too high and getting the rest with my right hand. It's ok to use the arm, we just can't lift weight with it or raise it too high until the lead settles in.

What Melissa said about button up tops! Definitely don't take anything you have to pull over your head to the hospital. My dr says only button up tops for two weeks after surgery. Whether it's required or not, it's a good idea because it's really hard to keep the arm down properly if you're tugging a shirt over your head.

Good luck!! Let us know if you have more questions.

icd vs pm

by Tracey_E - 2010-03-04 10:03:34

Icd's are more than twice the size of a pm.

Life After Implant ~ ~

by Carolyn65 - 2010-03-04 11:03:51

The wonderful thing about life after an implant, it is treating yourself to "how you feel/what you can do". Good advice from the PM members is the only thing that "walked" me through the ordeal of my PM implant.

I "played/posted" on this PM site four months before my actual decision to have the PM implanted. In my anticipation (& my mind's thinking) of the incision, weeks and weeks of recuperating, "slouching/lounging", etc. I ordered, from a catalog, probably a dozen "day dresses" which zipped or "pop" buttoned in front. This was my Pre-PM getting ready for my "big" ordeal. LOL

Well, who knows if I was awake/sleep during the ablation/implant? I feel sure, if I was talking as much as I usually do when I get nervous, the surgery team/nurses put me completely out really good. LOL

Now, when I look back at my "actions" preparing for the 10/09 implant, I have to have a big laugh. Also, I gave my "day dresses/house dresses" to a retirement/ nursing home for the elderly, still in their "wrappings" from the company! My normal clothes were great!

The main thing is to not lift, raise your arm above your heart on "that" side and when putting a blouse/dress/or whatever on, place the arm/hand on the implant side into the sleeve/hole first so your arm will be slanted down, then you can work the opposite side with the good arm/hand. Oh, and I did treat myself to a luxury normally I would not do; I let the beautician wash my hair for the first week a couple of times. How nice.

Each person is so different. Just trust your own judgement on what you can do when & where, but do not rush your body into too much at first.

Take Care & Keep Us Posted ~ ~
Carolyn G. in TEXAS

Take it easy at first

by COBradyBunch - 2010-03-05 01:03:23

I was awake for surgery and only remember bits and pieces, like they couldn't find the things that normally hold the draping and had to use clamps and hemostats to hold it in place.

As for recovery, felt great two days after surgery, felt horrible a week later. Had some sort of infection is what the docs thought although my site looked good. Heavy dose antibiotics helped but my less than one week recovery ended up being closer to three before I felt normal again. 4 weeks post surgery I was taken off all lifting and activity restrictions (although he did say avoid shoulder pressing more than 100 lbs) and started back to working out.

Did have one other funky thing happen. For months after surgery I was waking up every night at 3:15 on the dot. Docs shut off some self diag the pacer puts itself through and guess what, I started sleeping through the night. Apparently there was something that it was doing that was causing my hr to spike every night at 3:15 in the morning. Doc said they couldn't choose the time, it was based upon when the pacer was activated but they could shut it off which is what they did.

Good luck and keep in touch.

My experience

by bzymom320 - 2010-03-05 04:03:26

I had my pacer placed on Feb 8th in an emergency situation. I had been sick for about 2 weeks prior. I am still not back at work and was told not to drive for 30 days.

I was semi awake during surgery but had an arterial bleed and was very, very bruised afterwards. I was in the hospital for 2 days after because of the bleed. I slept on my sofa until my bruising and soreness subsided so I wouldn't roll over on my shoulder. I am still very, very tired and sore but didn't use pain meds for it after about 3 -4 days.

Everyone is different. I have some other health issues affecting me but overall I would say my experience was okay - cardiac wise.

I wish you the best and yes, let us know how you are doing.

Individual Experiences

by francine1 - 2010-03-05 04:03:46

You may want to read others experiences. They varied greatly. My story is called "NO PIECE OF CAKE". I had a tough time of it but am one who does nothing in a "normal" fashion.Think wonderful thoughts and ask for prayers. You'll get thru it! GOOD LUCK!!!

Wishing you well

by DanaT - 2010-03-05 06:03:07

Hi. I just had my pm put in last Friday. I was awake, but I woke up after surgery with a sore throat and asked if they put a tube down my throat. They told me yes, they had to put me completely to sleep because I was moving too much on the table. I don't remember a thing. But believe me, they get you so relaxed ahead of time you don't care, you just want to sleep anyway. Although I took xanax for my ride to the hospital on the day of the surgery to take the edge off. I am on day 7 now and I feel much better, but it's been rough for me emotionally and physically. One day I feel great, the next day I feel crappy. Probably because I over did something on the good day, lol. But take it SLOW. The good news is you're young and young people heal fast. I took 9 days off and I hope it's enough to be honest. I probably could use another week, but I can only take off so much time ya know? But, good luck to you. It will be ok. Take it from me, the biggest worrier on here!

Thanks everyone!

by swatford - 2010-03-05 07:03:39

Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences with me. It makes me feel a lot better about the situation. I have 11 days off work (Good Friday and Spring Break) since I teach Kindergarten! I hope that is enough time to heal! I definitely think the mental and emotional aspect has been the hardest for me to accept and understand! The good thing is my mind has been taken off of it for the time being. I'm in the last 2 weeks of my Masters and teaching full time so, I don't have much time to worry! I'll finish my Masters 1 week prior to surgery. Hopefully, my husband can help me out with the hair washing situation. I'll have to figure something out about drying/straightening it! Thanks again all! I'll keep you all posted after surgery! :)

It's been 9 days for me

by heartu - 2010-03-05 08:03:19

I had my PM since Feb 24th. I was awake and remember everything from the surgery. I kept asking questions during the procedure and everyone in the surgical room bonded with me which actually made me feel better. Went home on the 25th.

I was given 1 percoset in conjunction with 2 Tylenol (which I requested) a few hours after the surgery, another percoset the next morning. I did not fill my percoset prescription, but opted for 1 extra strength Tylenol for the next 2 nights and that was it for me. Guess I have a pretty high threshold for pain, though I did not feel like I had much pain, just soreness.

I had no problems showering since the doctor used dermabond (surgical glue) instead of steri strips. I just needed help drying off the 1st 2 showers. I have ordered a hair dryer stand (should arrive on Monday), in the meantime I have found that if I sit down, prop my left leg on my right thigh and then prop my hairdyer in my left hand on my left thigh (picture that! lol ) I can actually dry my hair without having to lift my arm too high.

I have no problems sleeping because I am a back sleeper anyway. Ditto sleeping with a small pillow under the left arm, etc. helps alot.

To tell you the truth it is more getting over the mental/emotional hurdle than the physical hurdle. I was worried everytime I would go for a walk, go upstairs, take my pulse dozens of times. If I had a job to go to, that would have been the best therapy for me. I just make sure that I get up and walk around every hour so that I do not become sedentary since I was extremely active before all thi happened. BTW, I am 53.

Best of luck to you!

let us know

by qwerty - 2010-03-05 12:03:11

I guess most of us on this board wrote a post like yours.
Read all the replies they are great. I personally,was off work for 3 weeks, but that was MY choice. I would not have been very productive after one week. Two weeks maybe. but I was able to take off for 3 weeks and when I went back I was ready to tackle the world.
The hair thing was a real problem for me. So I just went to my son (he also is a hair styler) and said cut it for one handed action! After a week, I went back and said... cut it some more. He did and it is really short right now. But it will grow back and I am actually getting used to it and kinda like it.
I agree the mental part is really harder than the physical. And The button up shirts are a real must, especially for the first couple of weeks.
The main thing to remember is that we are all different. Take time to heal and rest. Give yourself time to get used to this and don't panic if you take longer than some. Healing is so important. So just remember to keep your arm down and take it easy for 6 weeks and give it time to settle in.
And. If you have any questions... this is a great place. Let us all know how you do.

Cherell

Surgeon Visit today

by swatford - 2010-03-27 01:03:09

I went and met with the surgeon today.
If anything, I am really upset and confused now! I was mentally ready for my surgery, and now I'm so confused. The surgeon had about 50% accurate news and 50% conflicting news. He clearly had not read my file at all!!! Which really upset me! But, then he contradicted a lot of what my doctor feels about my condition even though they are in the same practice. He did say my dr is a remarkable dr, he just felt like a pm would not fix my problems 100%. I have been diagnosed as neurocardiogenic syncope and anemic. I have had ekg's, eegs, holter monitors, 30 day monitor, tilt tests, and blood transfussions. My surgery is 5 days away and now I am so confused and scared! Does anyone have any advice? I knew that the Pm would not cure me 100% and my dr explained that. This surgeon also said he has never heard of doing the incision on the bra line where my dr said they would do it. Please help!

Incision and PM

by cruz - 2010-04-06 06:04:13

My PM installed 4 weeks ago. The scar is minimal but mine is under the collarbone and I'm very thin. You can definetly see a round shape. I still have troubl sleeping and I'm awake much of the night. Still adjusting to sleeping on my back. I may have been awake and don't remember very much. The one thing I do remember is that I was awake and they restrained my arms. At one point during the surgery, it felt as if the doctor had just stomped on my shoulder/chest. Someone told me that this is when they "test" the defib. You didn't say if you have the "combo" with defib and PM. Just wondered if anyone else had that experience. It's the only thing I remember about the procedure. I remember PAIN and I moaned so they would know (had some sort of covering over my face), and I guess they turned the juice up and I was out of it again.

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