Most Recent Messages in Surgery & Recovery

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Pneumothorax

Has anyone ever had a pneumothorax when they got their pacemaker?

Wednesday, while implanting his pacemaker, the needle punctured his lung.  He has been in the Critical Care Unit since Wednesday.  This morning, they removed the  air tube.  By 2:00, his lung was partially collapsed again.  They reinserted an air tube and say he has to remain in CCU at least another two days.  In the meantime, his Afib has returned.  Hasn't had Afib since his ab...

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Battery Change after 14 years

After 14 years, my pacer is finally out of juice, officially running on "low power mode" and waiting to schedule surgery ASAP. Dual chamber, I am 100% dependant on this baby!

I was told my battwries would last 8-10 years. I'm at 14+ so Im happy.  I was 26 upon first surgery,  it's been so long, I've forgotten a lot of the initial struggles, pains, fears, anxiety.

My question, how much pain, tenderness, limited movement, etc will I have aft...

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Pre Op Surgery Visit

I’m scheduled to have my thyroid gland removed on October 31st (Halloween) and have a pre-op visit on October 10th. Since I’m 100% paced with a dual chamber pacemaker, I’ve been told there are some concerns about the effects of the anesthesia on my heart.

Another concern is the use of the electronic knife (electrocautery) during surgery, as it will be close to my pacemaker leads. To address this, the hospital is bringing in another surgeon and my cardiac doctor for add...

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pacemaker implanted 4 weeks, no change

Hi everyone

My name is Anne. I am feeling quite low. I had my pacemaker implanted almost 4 weeks ago and to be honest, it hasn't really done much for me. I had 2 heart valves replaced last year In June 2023 (aortic and mitral) and since that operation I have struggled terribly. I am relatively young at 48. I had mantle radiation treatment when I was 18, hence the valve replacements. Directly after the operation and ever since, I have struggled walking any distance (100m+) or incline...

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One week after pacemaker implant

Very happy to join the pacemaker club. I am a 52-year-old male, I just had a single chamber pacemaker implanted in my ventricle a week ago.

I previously had a heart bypass 3 years ago and also had 5 stents before. The indication for pacemaker installation was bradycardia with complaints of frequent dizziness and feeling like I was going to faint. EF 62%

Please share your experience, is it normal to feel a bit tired and dizzy for a week after the implant? Is this part of the r...

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Ablation

Would like to know if anyone has had both ablations at the same time for Fibriliation and Flutter:

It's been 1 1/2 weeks since I had an ablation for both Atrial Fibrillation/Artial Flutter.  I was under for a couple hours and 6 hours recovery.    I felt pretty good on Wed. evening after the 6 hours so I went home.   I felt fine on Thursday and Friday but Saturday and Sunday I had some nausa and a low grade frever.  My heart did not hurt but my thrroat w...

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New to pacemaker

Hey y'all! I just had a pacemaker installed on Friday. I was having ablation done to correct PVC'S and the catheters damaged my heart, and so I needed a pacemaker. I still feel like I've been in a car accident now. I'm 55 and also have a history of afib. Been in afib 6 times. That's what caused the PVC'S. Anyway, just wanted to introduce myself. Thanks for reading my story!

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MyCareLink Medtronic Questions

Hello, my mom had gotten a pacemaker implanted last Friday on the 23rd. Today she received a MyCareLink monitor from Medtronic, we set up the monitor and once the device beeped my mom claimed to have felt a tingle and suddenly warm inside and a little bit light headed. Is this something normal and did anyone else have the same feeling? Or should we unplug it and wait until we can talk to someone about it since the offices are closed now? 

 

Also, with this machine do the...

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Arm/Shoulder pain after surgery

Hello, my mom is 70 years old and just had a pacemaker put in yesterday and she has tremendous pain from her shoulder down to her elbow. Has anyone else experienced this? If so, how did you relieve it? She was not given any pain medication upon leaving the hospital or too many instructions. 

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Progress post implant crt-d

I got a crt-d implant 3 1/2 months ago and want to see how I am doing relative to others.

Prior Implant:  LBBB, QRS=150ms, EF 20%

Post implant:

On table after implant, QRS=110ms

2 weeks later follow up, QRS=80

3 1/2 month cardiogram EF 35-40%

BP in normal range but varies like Texas Weather, wait 5 minutes. Ranges 110-140 but mostly 120/75 with pulse in 70's.

Manufacturer Abbott Gallant HF, CDHA500Q with multi point lead in coranary vein.

...

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Incision Infection (superficial)

Hi, it has been awhile. I just had my 2nd pacemaker put in and the incision started leaking pus 6 weeks after the surgery. I  was put on antibiotics for 7 days. The one area still leaks a small amount of pus 8 days after the antibiotics finished. The Doctor seems to think it is superfical from a suture knot. Just said if it still leaks pus after 2 weeks or becomes inflamed and I high fever to contact her. Has anyone had this wthout removing the system and putting in a new one....

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Upgrade to 3rd lead

I am going in on 08/13/24 for a third lead due to the left ventricle with slower blood flow than the right ventricle. Is ithis common and is it the same recovery time and procedure as the original pacemaker placement?.  And any other input you have from your own research or experience!

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Second ablation maybe

Hello all, recently back in and out of AFib.  I already take tikosyn and metoprolol and have had tons of cardio versions and had an ablation about 2 years ago.  Recent Dr visit the thought was to possibly have another ablation,  the first time I had it done it was a longer recovery than I anticipated.  I do feel much better with my device and being in AFib than I did before the device, which is great.  My question is for anyone that has had multiple ablations,  i...

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3 Weeks Post - Bright Yellow Fluid from Pacemaker Removal Incision

Anyone else experience a very bright yellow fluid? Incision is healing very well. A steristrip came off overnight and I have a very runny bright yellow fluid a tiny bit of blood - no smell or discharge.

 

thanks

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Dr. Andrea Natale

Any members had procedures performed by Dr. Natale.

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Got Surgery: Aveir Dual Leadless

I had promised to do a write up after my surgery at the Cleveland Clinic which was very long and complex. Just a reminder I am Canadian so this was out of necessity due to poor care and lack of technology at home, including lead extraction volume.

It turns out that the only lead I had working to my ventricle was also fractured, and being pace dependent this could have had catastrophic results. I had had ongoing buzzing as well and was told at in Toronto it was probably in my head (...

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New wire/pacemaker restrictions

Hi all,

 

it's been awhile since I've had new wires put in and my memory is not that great.

i am looking to geting four leads removed (26 & 16 yrs old) in October this year.

and two new leads and pacemaker placed (hopefully back on left side; non dominant side)

Surgeon said 6-8 weeks recovery.

I plan to check back with him to clarify the restrictions as I'm hoping to be able to go back to work within 3 weeks (with some restrictions...

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New pacemaker

I just had my pacemaker put in last Thursday and I go for my first follow up tomorrow. I'm glad because I feel like my chest is jumping all over the place inside. It leaves me feeling jittery and breathless, kind of nauseous. Anyone else experienced this?

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CRT Implant

Hi all,

I would love to hear from members who have a CRT Device fitted as I am due to have an upgrade from a dual chamber pacemaker imminently and I am really anxious. 
My story starts with three ablations for SVT and atrial pacer for the slow heart rate that resulted from the procedures. I was then implanted with a second atrial pacer when the first battery ran low and then onto a dual chamber upgrade after a finding of Left Bundle Branch Block after taking flecainide. After...

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Mowing my lawn on day 2

It's been about 44 hours since discharge and I feel so much better. Evidently hypoxia as a way of life was not the best option. I have a light electric mower and a small yard during prime grass growing season. I've been able to mow pretty well one-handed previously. They say I'm not restricted with my right arm. Do you think it's too soon to do something that active?   

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You know you're wired when...

You can shop longer than the Energizer Bunny.

Member Quotes

I have had my pacer since 2005. At first it ruled my life. It took some time to calm down and make the mental adjustment. I had trouble sleeping and I worried a lot about pulling wires. Now I just live my life as I wish.