General info

Hi there, I am new here.
I'm 30 years old and I am going to have pacemaker surgery this Wednesday. I just want to know in reality how long the recovery period will be. I've had open heart surgery in the past and I'm expecting that it might not be an overnight stay as I have been reading. I would just like to get your thoughts on this.

Also, I am due to leave my country on Jan 9th next year to take up a new job in a country I've never visited before. Do you think it's safe to say that the during between my surgery and my departure (to another country) is sufficient for recovery and for the doctors to adequately monitor me?

Any feedback is greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

4 Comments

Recovery

by ElectricFrank - 2010-12-05 11:12:01

After open heart surgery this will be a piece of cake. As far as the surgery is concerned it takes around 3 weeks for the incision to stop being a bit sensitive. This is just a matter how long your body takes to resolve the inflammation of cutting and stitches. This assumes that there is no problem with infection. The best way to avoid infection is if the surgeon gives you an IV of antibiotic before and after the procedure. You might ask about it since you will be leaving the country.

The main issue you will have is finding someone to do the periodic checkups and programming adjustments. This is very important as the pace comes from the factory with default settings that are rarely right for us.

I would strongly suggest you discuss all this with the cardiologist who will be doing the implant.
Get ALL the questions answered before the surgery. Otherwise, it will be likely the surgeon will consider his job done and off the hook for further help.

good luck,

frank

General Info

by oleblu - 2010-12-05 11:12:36

Hi,
I"m pretty new here myself. I got my pacemaker on 10/28/10 and am back to work. They installed a dual chamber with 2 leads. I actually started back to work less than 2 weeks after the implant. They had me wear my arm in a sling for 4 weeks to let the wires settle in so that limited me to things that I could do. My arm is still a little sore at times but it seems to be getting better. I have to keep reminding myself that there is a chunk of metal and wires in there so I guess it is something you just have to get used to. I was on the operating table at 3PM and I was discharged from the hospital at 10:30 AM the next day. I have to be honest with you there was some discomfort but if you do what they tell you to do you should be ok. Pop a few pills kick back and let your body rest and heal. I don't know if this will help you with your decissoin about going out of the country but after I left the hospital they brought me back in 12 days after the implant and checked me out and they said they didn't need to see me for 6 months. The only thing they are concerned about is getting my meds adjusted and that is done by my primary doctor. I have sic sinus syndrome so my heart rate still jumps up there and gettig the right amount of beta blockers tuned in is what they are working on. I hope this helped and I hope everything goes well for you and I wish you the best. Let us know how things are going.

yes it is

by walkerd - 2010-12-06 07:12:00

aug 2008 I had high risk bypass and on sept16 I recieve my defib/pm. Stayed over nite and went home the stay over nite was to monitor basiclly. Do want they tell you to do and you will be fine. One tip I can give you is get a pad of paper and write questions down and anything that feels funny ie.. short of breath, lightheadness, ect..because dont care who you are there are things you want to ask and forget until you are headed home, maybe some people can remember all but not me. As stated above they may have to make a few adjustments to your unit mine, took three or four adjustmentson mine then all was fine with the unit.

Dave

Surgery completed!

by TriniStacey - 2010-12-11 07:12:32

Hi again, thank you for your comments.

I had my surgery and all went well except that my lung was scratched. The doctors administered 100% oxygen following the procedure. However, the next day an x-ray showed that the scratch (hole) got bigger, so they put me on more oxygen. When they concluded that all conditions remained stable, I was then discharged after checking that my oxygen absorption was 96%-98%.

I'm home now, on painkillers. So far most of my pain and discomfort arise when i get into and out of bed, and also if i stand too much.
Also, if i inhale deeply my chest hurts. Is this normal? I am scheduled for a check-up this Monday 13th.

Thanks again,
Stacey

You know you're wired when...

You trust technology more than your heart.

Member Quotes

Yesterday I moved to a new place in my mind and realized how bad I felt 'before' and the difference my pacemaker has made.