Implant Tomorrow

Hello Supermom !!

by MartyP - 2018-01-10 18:30:41

First let me say that you should be fine.  Depending on why you are getting the PM most operations are pretty easy surgery and last maybe 45 minutes or so.

Not sure why you are being awake for the surgery, if this is really bothering you, talk to your surgeon / anesthesiologist and ask if you can have a general - i had propofol and didn't remember a thing - it's also known as "milk of amnesia"

When the surgery is done, the doc will tell you not to lift your arm over your shoulder for about two weeks and to not lift anything heavy (say 5 pounds or so) also for a few weeks.

Most people don't have any side effects, but you now have something foreign in your body and life will be safer, but a little different.

You will likely be tired for a week or so, but that comes with any surgery.

You may be in the hospital for one day or maybe a one night stayover.  If you can get the one night stayover, I would suggest you do that.  Let the nurses watch over you. And depending on your insurance it could be less expensive.

Try not to worry about it tonight - the PM is meant to save your life and make sure you stick around for family and friends.

Once your home, come back to this site with any questions you may have whatsoever.

A number of times, people here have equal or more knowledge then the doctors - because as the Farmers Insurance commercial goes "WE KNOW A THING OR TWO BECAUSE WE'VE SEEN A THING OR TWO"

I got my Sparky at the end of May and I rarely think about it anymore.

Be well, and let us know how you are doing in a day or two.  

good luck!

by Tracey_E - 2018-01-10 18:44:16

Good luck tomorrow! If you are nervous about being awake, tell them. They can give you something to calm you. They usually do anyway but make sure they know how you are feeling. 

It should look fine! Have you talked to them about where they will put it? Make sure they know how it looks is important to you. Have you seen one in person? If not, ask. They are a lot smaller than you probably think. 

Check in, let us know how it goes. Try to get some sleep tonight. It'll be over before you know it. 

p.s.

by Tracey_E - 2018-01-10 21:11:30

How it looks tomorrow is NOT how it's going to look forever!!!! It will take a few weeks for the swelling to go down, for the device to settle in and the scar tissue to grow around it and make it numb. It can take 6 months up to a year for it to fully settle and for the scar to flatten and blend in. 

how did it go?

by Tracey_E - 2018-01-12 10:33:50

Thinking of you! Hope it went smoothly. 

Pretty Good

by supermom - 2018-01-12 15:57:02

Everything went pretty good. It hurts a little more than I expected, but it’ll pass. The doctor who put it in doesn’t give pain meds, so......I guess it’s a good thing I have a high tolerance!

pain meds

by Tracey_E - 2018-01-14 11:05:31

I've been given them but didn't take them. It's ok to mix advil and tylenol, but I found ice works as well as anything. It will pass quickly! Glad it went well. 

So it's been a week or so ......

by MartyP - 2018-01-18 10:36:47

Supermom ..... it's been a week or so since your PM.  How are you doing?  Any concerns?

Follow Up today

by supermom - 2018-01-18 10:54:48

Hey Marty!  I have my follow up with the doc today at 4:30.  I'm still trying to adjust to my new normal.  I'm exhausted all the time and my muscles ache.  I constantly feel short of breath and achey like I've just finished a really hard workout.  I'm sure it will pass as I get used to my new rhythm.  I'm trying to keep a positive attitude about it all.  My only real concern is that my left arm is still tingling like it's asleep.  I had my surgery last Thursday.  Sunday was my first attempt at sleeping on my side. I'm a side sleeper and had gotten zero rest trying to sleep on my back.  Since Sunday my arm has been tingling.  I just pray that my device didn't shift a little and compress a nerve or something.  I'll find out today!

sleeping on side

by Tracey_E - 2018-01-20 09:26:41

It was a couple of months before I could comfortably sleep on my side. It's unlikely you'd do any damage sleeping, just  make it sore. I found it helped to sleep hugging a small  pillow, kept the arm down and from rolling on the sore side in my sleep. 

Tingling should be checked out. It's probably just healing but make sure nothing else is going on.