elective surgery

Hi all,
I haven't posted in two years, mostly because my pacemaker has become a part of me and although I believe I feel it now and then, it doesn't interfere with my life at all. When I received an e-mail about the newletter, it reminded me how helpful many of you were when I first received my PM in July 2007.
I have second degree heart block and my heart rate goes down to 40 when my PM is turned off. I don't recall the mode of my PM, but I know that my PM is a-sensed and v-paced.
I am scheduled to have elective breast reduction surgery on July 28th which will be the first time I will be under general anesthesia since receiving my PM. The surgery will be at a different hospital than where I received PM. My EP will send over all PM information, but I beleive they will turn my PM off while using cautery device. I don't even know what my question is exactly. I am getting frightened even though the doctor's said don't worry and I am questioning my decision because the surgery is elective (mostly for comfort and bad back). I would just like to hear from others who may have had similar experiences or who have medical backgrounds.
Should I just call the whole thing off? When I received my ablation they told me it was very safe and < 1% of patients end up with a PM. I am afraid of being the unlucky < 1% again.
Thanks for any advice...
Dahlia

1 Comments

Talk with anesthesiologist

by valbob89 - 2009-06-28 10:06:01

Dahlia:

Best wishes with your surgery. I'm sure it will go well. If you're worried, your concerns must be addressed before an operation, especially an elective one.

Assuming you will have this procedure in the hospital under general anasthesia: The anesthesiologist (they called them "gas-passers" in the movie M*A*S*H) will talk with you and explain everything. A specialist medical doctor, she will be responsible for your continued health during surgery. Anasthesiologists, when I've had them, have always met with me before my surgeries. Ask everything you want, and don't sign the final consent form until you understand and agree with the answers. That's a standard rule for us patients.

Be sure to tell anyone and everyone on the ward and in the preparation/recovery room that you have a pacemaker. You also should make sure they know about medications you took since the night before, including vitamins.

I have had a lot of surgical tricks performed on me that required electrical power, especially some procedures on my bile ducts, and a gall bladder removal, that required "electric scalpels" and cauterization. These were perhaps closer to the heart than your surgery might be. No problems.

The pacemakers made in the last 10 or more years are among the toughest, most reliable electronics on earth.

Bob

You know you're wired when...

You get your device tuned-up for hot dates.

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