Most Recent Messages in Surgery & Recovery

a better way to treat A-fib using "pulsed field ablation"

Just read online in our local Sarasota, Fl paper, that our public hospital physicians are among the first in the nation peforming Pulsed Field Ablation.  A breakthrough therapy to treat people with atrial fibrillation, or irregular heart rhythms.  Treatment of patients with paroxsmal(periodic) or persistent atrial fibrillation.

Traditionally, catheter ablation is a technique in which heart tissue is treated with extreme heat(radiofrequency ablation) or cold(cryotherapy) to des...

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Much more frequent pvcs and pacs four weeks after implant

Since I had my pacemaker implanted four weeks ago I have had many more pvcs and pacs which are uncomfortable.  My Apple Watch picks them up and I have about 4-6 per 30 sec. ECG  and they are fairly constant.  I just want to know if this is common after implant and if experienced, when does it seem to calm down.  My first doctors appointment after implant isn't for another 4 weeks. I did have  checkup with the nurses in the clinic after 1 week and I did experi...

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Help for after surgery

My mom (77) just had pacemaker surgery. She will be going home tomorrow or the next day. What are some "things" you wish you had right after your surgery?  Or things you did have that highly recommend?  How can I help make things easier and more comfortable for her?  
I did buy her some front closure bras and some button up shirts. Someone suggested a bidet- so I've got that ordered too. 
The cardio Dr makes it seem like it''s not going to b...

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Under pec muscle

I asked about getting a micro device but since I have an older style Medtronic device they said surgery would be brutal removing the leads etc. They suggested a new device placed under the pectoral muscle so I wouldn't see it.  Anyone have this done and was healing easy as before?

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shortness of breath after pacemaker replacement

Had pacemaker replacement 10 days ago  Healing well  Today have shortness of breath and fatique  Any ideas of why?? 

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Swelling at insertion site

Hello,

 

I had my pacemaker put in 10 days ago and yesterday I noticed swelling around the device/pocket. It's not red, hot, or painful. The incision looks really good and seems to be healing well. The swelling is more like a bump, best way I can describe it, if I flatten my shirt over it you can see a bump or lump. Is this normal? Do I need to go to the hospital? Thanks 

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The Famed SIX WEEKS Has Arrived!

Today is officially six weeks from my pacemaker implant of January 11.  This week I have been easing into raising my left arm up more little by little and today I can do a full arm raise. 

Like many here, I was totally unprepared for what I would go through, surprised that I even needed a pacemaker ASAP (a what?!), led to trust it would be routine, and told I could take Tylenol for any discomfort. Two mornings later I was in the ER from not managing the pai...

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Mitral Valve repair

Can anyone share an experience on Mitral Valve repair and the "back to normal" life that I am led to believe will result after the operation. I can barely walk across a room without getting exhausted. I cant bend over without nearly passing out, I sleep with an oxygenator to combat waking up gasping for oxygen (it works beautifully) I suffer from sever E.D., my toes are tingley numb, fingertips too, and I force myself to walk any distance. I was diagnosed with moderate regurgitatin...

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Atrial Flutter

After 2 months of atrial flutter, I saw the cardiologist yesterday and am having my fourth ablastion this MondaY. THANK YOU NHS.( 4 days wait). Bloods and swabs etc. taken for a general anaesthetic in out patients.

I have had a flutter ablation previously on rhe right side. I have had two fibrillation ablations.

What did I learn?

Atypical flutter  - this time in the left atrium. Why? residual effect of the two fibrillation ablations. Still some electrical activity in th...

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Easy replacement

Hi y'all, replacement surgery #1 was yesterday, Feb. 8th and it was easy breezy - just like you said it would be.  So thankfull for your knowledge and guidance.  I won't be kayaking for 6 weeks :0).

I now have an Azure XT DR MRI. 

It is in the original pocket - so no pain from that.  Plus have not had any on the incision and am following all my doctor's requirements to ensure it all stays good and healing as it should. The app is loaded and fun...

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10 day post op pain

Hello all! I just had my first PM placed last Thursday, I am 30 years old and had a dual lead PM inserted. My incision is healing nicely, however, I've been having some hot, pain, tingling, and numbness down my left arm into my fingers, under my left breast feels very tender and sore like it's also healing from something? Right under my incision the skin hurts to touch, isn't hot or red,  but extremely painful. I also am having a hard time still managing some pain in the left...

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Antibiotic pouch

I just had a different Medtronic pacemaker placed December 27th and am having some strange pain beneath the surgical site that gets worse when any amount of pressure is applied to it. It's definitely not infected so I was wondering if it could be the antibiotic pouch breaking down or if anyone else has had similar pain? I'm hoping it goes away because it's very uncomfortable. 

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New Dual Chamber Pacemaker

I am revising my post from yesterday as I now realize it  was a bit  confusing

I am attaching the cardiologists notes for clarification

Questions:

HISTORY

 In 1997 they put in a single chamber pacemaker due to a tick byte. I had third degree heartblock. Initially my pacemaker was pacing 77% of the time and  went down to 1%. I was in great shape...execizing and no issues

This past May, I had open heart surgery due to a leaky aortic valve and ne...

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Tricuspid Valve Repair - Regurgitation caused by PM Wire

Hey everyone,

I read some of the previous forms around this but couldn't find any recent ones. I was wondering if anyone has any experience getting a valve repair? I haven't been able to find as much online about a repair vs a replacement. I am mainly curious about recovery and the patient experience.  I have had to get a wire removed before and it was brutal for me, but I have never had a valve issue until now. So mostly just trying to figure out what to expect.

&nbs...

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Rehabilitation from Thrombosis

Hi Everyone

I have written a couple times on this excellent forum and would just like to ask for some advice on rehabilitating from Deep Vein Thrombosis.

It's been 18 days since I was diagnosed with a blood clot in my Subclavical vein, at the site of the entry of the leads of my Pacemaker. This happened 6 weeks post operation. I initially injected Hibor (Heparin) for 2 weeks and then I was thankfully moved onto Apixaban. I was offered the choice of Warfarin or A...

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open heart surgery for a mitral valve when you have a pacemaker

Has any one out there had to have open heart surgery for a leaking mitral valve that has alredy got a pacemakerr? I certainly would like to hear from you.

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Pacemaker placement

Hi, I am 47 years old, My pacemaker was installed at the end of March after a few episodes of Asystole and a 12 second pause but no real cardiac diagnosis prior. My question is perhaps in the wrong section but wasn't sure where was appropriate. I have lost about 60 pounds since my pacemaker was installed and because of this there is literally no "meat" between the pacemaker and my skin.. I feel like I need to constantly protect it because it is right under my skin.. I guess I am...

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Post-op recovery/pain advice

Hey all,

My partner (congenital complete heart block) is 6 months out from a box change (his third) and although the wound has healed he's experiencing a lot of pain/sensitivity in the area, so I wanted to reach out and ask about others' experiences.

How long was the surgical wound bothering you?

The surgery was pretty intense (more than we expected, as the surgeons decided to both remove some historic scar tissue and bury the box deeper than his others had been) but...

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Any Leadless pacers out there?

Considering the dual Avenir in late spring at Cleveland since they are experienced with it.

Has anyone got one - single or dual? How was surgery?  Did they remove the old leads?

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Surgery

I have sick sinus syndrome with bradycardia and infrequent tachycardia. I'm 76 and very active. I filed horses hooves yesterday and wonder if there are magnets in a side grinder. 🧐 I'll get my Biotronik pacemaker next Monday. There are so many things to learn. I've been reading as much as possible from unhappy campers as well as those who have been relatively complication free. I think mental attitude has a huge influence and I'm optimistic because I'm asymptomatic mostly....

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Member Quotes

I am just now 40 but have had these blackouts all my life. I am thrilled with the pacer and would do it all over again.