Can you see your PM?

I'm 35 years old and might be getting a PM. My primary doctor told me to prepare for one but I have to see what my Cardiologist says. I see him in 2 days.
Can you see your PM when you wear tank tops and such? I have seen some that look very obvious. Just wondering if they can implant them deeper so you can't see them.

9 Comments

yes

by turboz24 - 2010-10-19 06:10:18

Most people can see their PM if it's implanted just under the skin, but how much it shows depends on your build, if you are thin, have a lot of "padding", etc.

You can have the PM placed under the breast (obviously for women.....) or under the chest muscle (sub-pectoral implant). Recovery takes longer for deeper placement, but you will not see it, probably can't feel it, and it's better protected if you get smacked....

I will be getting my ICD relocated to a sub-pectoral placement once my battery runs out......

my scar is more noticeable

by Meema417 - 2010-10-19 08:10:52

I still have a pretty healthy pectoral muscle wall, and a bit of subcutaneous fat as well, so you can't notice my pacemaker too much. It feels to me, like a smaller deck of cards under my skin. I don't touch it or but it too much because....ewww...l just don't. When I put on my swimsuit, I've taken to covering my scar with a beige, cloth band-aid so it stays on in the pool or hot tub. The nurse told me that extremely thin, elderly people's pm will show much more prominently that a younger person with good muscle tone and some fat under their skin. Good luck, it will be okay, you know!

Yes

by Heidiglassmeyer - 2010-10-19 11:10:06

For me, you can see mine clearly. I am 41, thin, and small chested. Unfortunately I did not have a chance to discuss placement. Mine was put in when I went into complete heart block during an ablation. Looking forward to when I need a new one and will have it placed some where less noticeable. Either way, people still stare :)

Heidi

My Energizer Bunny ~ ~

by Carolyn65 - 2010-10-19 11:10:59

I can not see my PM, but I can feel it if I rub over it. People are not going to the water to see/look at your lil' PM ~ maybe your great backside or legs, but not a tee-niny lil' scar! Don't be self concious, they are not staring.

I think it all depends on how well your surgeon positions the PM and how well, smooth he closes the opening. My PM is positioned right under the skin right below the clavicle. I can't even see a scar. My stitches dissolved and now it has been just over a year. No one stops me & asked questions. I think younger people are just too sensitive to the PM.

Hang in There,
Carolyn G. in TEXAS ~ Have You Smiled Today ~

Not mine

by Beckes76 - 2010-10-20 01:10:01

You can see the scar and that is about it. If I loose any weight you might see it a bit more. I can feel it when I touch my scar but that is about it. I am 34.

Becky

mine is under the muscle

by nat36 - 2010-10-20 05:10:06

I am 38 and my doctor suggested that I put it under the muscle because of my age. You can not see it at all but you can see the scar when wearing a tank top. I am very happy that I did it this way but it did take a while to heal:)

depends

by Tracey_E - 2010-10-20 09:10:49

It depends on your build and your surgeon. If it's important to you that it be less obvious once you heal, talk to your surgeon in advance and make sure he's aware of your priorities. Odds are you will still be able to feel it regardless of where it goes but it can be placed so that it's not obvious, either by simply making a deeper pocket, or by placing it lower on the chest and burying it in the pectoral, or sometimes off to the side more in the armpit.

Mine was implanted behind the breast by a plastic surgeon. I can't feel it and the scar is on the side, hidden by my bra. Doing it this way is more complicated and has a longer recovery but I'm happy with it.

Frank, my old one is buried where you can't see it. It's in my scrapbook. I forgot to ask for the last two. Dang, I could have quite the collection going!

Easy to see

by ElectricFrank - 2010-10-20 12:10:01

Mine is laying here in front of me on the desk so is very visible.

It's my old one I saved when it was replaced.

cheers,

frank

doesn't need to be

by Lyds - 2010-10-23 02:10:46

I got my PM when i was 24 and I had a top surgeon who surprised me by doing a side insertion and placing it behind my breat tissue. He also cleverly hide my scars. One under my bra strap and one hidden down the side kinda under my arm.
I did have to have the PM moved shortly after getting it...so now it's placed in behind the cavity wall and in the middle of my pec muscle (becuase it had a habit of constantly moving around my chest).

Ask your surgeon and see if he can make it less obvious...and don't worry - the recovery wasn't too bad. Plus - no problems with seat belts either!!

You know you're wired when...

The dog’s invisible fence prevents you from leaving the backyard.

Member Quotes

I'm 35 and got my pacemaker a little over a year ago. It definitely is not a burden to me. In fact, I have more energy (which my husband enjoys), can do more things with my kids and have weight because of having the energy.