Most Recent Messages in Surgery & Recovery

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pre op

About to have pacemaker on 13 may, any advice you think i may need before i go into hospital. Hoping to go back to work two days after the op. Fingers crossed.

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New pacemaker

I had a pacemaker put in 2 days ago.

I find when I go from and lying to a sitting position I am in pain. If I just lie I'm fine. I just wanted to know whether it's normal.

Also I feel so old with a pacemaker I wish they would change the name of it.

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How did you look 4 days post op?

I'm on day four - and I have all kinds of bruising around my PM. The incision itself looks okay, but the PM site, my shoulder, and my armpit are all bruised up and my breast and armpit are pretty sore. My boyfriend says "Its normal, because you just had surgery" but I just want to see if others had this too.

I posted a pic if you care to see it. You cant see the armpit to well but its bruised in that area too.

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placement

Hi, I'm a 31 yr old mom of three. I just got my first pacemaker on 4/10/12. It seems too close to my armpit, it even pokes out when I raise my arm a little. I wanted to know if this was the standard placement. I always thought it was under your collar bone. Thanks for your help!

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stitches haven't dissolved

Hello, I know this is a minor problem compared to many, but I'd like your opinions on why my stitches are so bothersome. I had my second lead repair on March 15. I feel great and doing well except my stitches are sticking out of the scar and rub against my clothes--this causes irretation and is very uncomfortable. The doctor said they'de dissolve, but they havent. I tried cutting them off with sharp scissors but they won't cut. One broke off this morning and the stubb is still there. They...

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Now an official member

Pacemaker keychain - check
"You know your pacing when" book - check
Pacemaker implanted (yesterday) - check
Sense of humor still intact - check

Yup, I’m officially family!

Surgery went well. They were initially going under the muscle, but during surgery they decided the bump shouldn’t be noticeable just under the skin.  I’ll be the judge of that when the swelling goes down, thank you. I’m skinny as a r...

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Adairwc Health update

I rec'd a PM from Adairwc giving me an update on her recovery from having a third lead inserted via open chest surgery. If you cal up her list of posts, you can see what lead up to this point. She had the surgery nearly two weeks ago.

I have gotten her permission to post it for all to read. As you can see, she's feeling pretty puny - but at least improving on a day by day basis. It's copied below:

"Hi everyone, got home last monday, in a lot of pain so sorry for not let...

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1st doctors visit

I had my surgery April 6th it was a rough week, but I am on the upside. My doctor is pleased with the progress. And, my PM is only working 1% of the time. My appetite is slow to return but getting better.

All the best to you.

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Feeling better everyday

Sternal wires(not pacer wires, still have those. The sternal wires were from the open heart surgery I had right before my pacer implant) have been out for 9 days! Feeling better everyday! rash and pain are getting better. Still have to take tylenol at least twice a day and benedryl for the itching at least once a day. But feeling much better. The nurses thought the rash was either from the pain medicine or the sterile rub they used for the surgery. Got steroids to help the rash because it wouldn...

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Pacemaker Implant

Hey everyone

I am on my 5th pacemaker, i have a single chamber pacemaker. I am having surgery this summer to replace it, I want to get a dual chamber pacemaker. Has anyone ever gone from a single chamber to dual chamber pacemaker before? Did you feel any different? Please let me know!

Thanks!

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Not sure if this is right

Hello everyone. Newby here. I am 35 years old and just had my pace maker put in on April 9. As all of you know this was a complete shock to me and my family. I only had one fainting spell but this was enough for my wife to make me go get checked out due to her being the one who found me on the floor in the bathroom. Anyway they were able to get me to have another episode on the tilt table and conclude that I had Sick Sinus Syndrome and Brady (low heart rate) with heart rate in the lower 40-...

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My new buddy

Hi All,

I had first pacemaker implanted on Friday, 13 April. I was diagnosed with a AV block, second degree.

Glad to say everything is running smoothly. I don't have any more pain and I feel pretty good.

My left arm has pins and needles every now and again. I'm not sure if that is normal, but before I am discharged tomorrow, I will ask the doctor.

So glad this was done. I didn't make too a big deal about it, but secretly I was a little concerned. Now t...

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On the mend

Thank you everyone for sharing your personal experience with me. I am 2 1/2 weeks post op and feeling GREAT!!! I really turned a corner this past weekend. Back to work and enjoying my new found energy. :) I didn't realize how lethargic I felt prior to my surgery.

My only battle now is getting the FAA to approve a special issuance allowing me to fly. Having a pacemaker is an automatic disqualification for my third class medical. I would love to hear from any pilots out there on how to...

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Stomach

Has any one had problems with constipation/lose stools as I am not able to keep anything down?

Otherwise I feel fine. My procedure was 5 days ago.

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Doing better everyday

Its been 4 days since my sternal wire removal. Been very itchy but soreness is getting better everyday. Tried going to class yesterday, lasted about an hour. Resting up today so I can make it through class tomorrow. Still taking it easy. but my pain is better than its been in months :)

Elaina

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Surgery Scheduled for 4/19

This is a great group and I have learned so much from reading the posts. My situation: 58 year old male with chronic atrial fibrillation. Resting heart rate at night of 30. CPAP helps with oxygen levels but did not help with the low night heart rate. I am happy to report that I lost 57 pounds since Sept 2011 and have maintained the current weight since about mid January. I do 30 - 60 minutes of treadmill about 5 days a week to include 6-12 degree incline walking at 3.6 mph. Still need to...

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Tiredness overtook me

Hey y'all. I went to work today. Wednesday will be week 4. I was only able to stay there for 4-5 hours and then had to come home to rest. Is this normal? If so, how long will it take to have a longer period of sustained energy?
Natalie

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PM surgery for the first time in a few days

Was wondering if there will be certain things i cannot do afterwards for temporarily and permanently, and also what questions should I ask my Dr hes 2 hours away from me so I wont see him often so I was trying to find out what I should ask him all at once any advice will help thanks!

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Wire removal recovery

My recovery is going very well. Still super sore but pain medicine is helping and I have the worlds best parents to help me do just about everything. Feeling better everyday! Today I feel well enough to go to my aunts for easter dinner :) hope everyone has a wonderful easter.

Elaina

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Post-op thumping in my chest

In the 3 weeks since insertion of my PM below my left shoulder, I've been unable to sleep on my left side because of a pronounced thumping sensation in my chest whenever I try to do so. Sometimes I also feel the thumping when I extend my left arm. Has anyone else felt this sensation and perhaps know its cause and likely duration?

Also, I know contact sports are out of the question. How about bodysurfing at the beach?

Thanks.

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You know you're wired when...

You have a dymo-powered bike.

Member Quotes

It is just over 10 years since a dual lead device was implanted for complete heart block. It has worked perfectly and I have traveled well near two million miles internationally since then.