Most Recent Messages in Surgery & Recovery

scar cream

My 17 year old daughter will be getting her first pacemaker in Feb. She has asked me to buy her creams to help any scars that she will receive, fade. I do not know of any. Are creams available, and if so do they work and will they be ok to use? Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Thank you

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im back!!!

i cant remember the last time i posted a comment because i have finally had my surgery. i had a brand new pacer put in on december 13th, with NO insurance!! my precious family doctor pulled some strings with the local hospital here and i had my implant free! so, there are still great caring people around. talk about refreshing! so, dr. clardy, you are my angel!! i have recovered fully, and am feeling wonderful, better than i have in years. i had a boston scientific pacer put in, whom i had n...

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PDH12

I had my ICD implanted on Friday, Jan.13/2012.The surgery went well, the immediate recovery went well and after the confirming xray was clear to go home. First dressing came off within 48 hours,and the second the next day.No bleeding and minimal discomfort. Needed no pain relief at all. The one piece of great advice was to have a firm pillow pressed firmly against my chest while sleeping on my left side. It kept my left shoulder from drooping and pinching the ICD, incision, and any other collato...

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After 10 year olds surgery

My 10 years old son had a new pacemaker put in last week. we went to his check up and the doctor says that there is fluid laying on top of the pacemaker. that we have to keep a close eye on it. and also he had a pacemaker that has been in his belly area removed. that site is very swollen and the doctor says that there is a build up of blood laying under the incision. Has this happened to anyone before ? and if so what do they do for this ?

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Used to it

I get dull pains in my left arm sometimes in the armpit area and a little bit down the arm it is just a dull sore ache more or less and if I move just right at the top part of the device. How long does it take for the nerves and muscles to repair?

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Post-op (they didn't test my defib)

Hi,

They've implanted my firts defibrillator yesterday. I feel a twinge in my left shoulder and where the defib was put which is totally normal after only 24 h.

What I was wondering is that they didn't test my defib yesterday right after they've implanted it. Aren't they always supposed to put you to sleep for a couple of minutes in order to shock you and test the 'machine'?

Thanks for your answers.

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GER IS HOME !!!

Hi ..... Went into Day Surgery yesterday, 1/11/12, to have pacemaker implant. Operation at 7:30, met with surgeon, anaesthesiologist, and rep from Medtronic prior to surgery.   All went well and this a.m.another rep from Medtronic came to my room early for a post-op check of my pacemaker.  Surgeon came into room & said I could go home----so here I am.

No pain at site, bandage can be taken off tomorrow, sling for another day. Lots of do’s and dont’...

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"tiredness" reporting again

It is now day 4 after op and I am happy to report I am feeling much better. I called the cardio and she said it was just post op reaction to drugs even although I did not have a general.
I am very relieved I feel so much better, did the washing, hanging out one arm stye. Looking forward to swimming, cycling and walking again with our beautiful warm weather in Perth.
Best wishes to the group you have been so supportive and informative. I will still follow for hints on life with a PM....

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Left Shoulder&Neck Pain 3.5 Months PostOp

I am a 41 year old female living in Ontario, Canada, and I got my pacemaker implanted 3.5 months ago (electrical signals in my heart didn't always work, so my heart would stop pumping and I would pass out). Because I didn't lift my arm for the 6-8 weeks after surgery, my arm and shoulder were very sore when I did start lifting. I find that first thing in the morning I have full range of movement with my left arm and hardly no pain at all. Then as the day goes on, I lose this range of movement an...

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1st Check up - 'All ok' - Not in my opinion

Hi All,

Firstly Ian, Frank, Smitty, Mike, Kar4n and Cabg thanks for your helpful comments and advice on my previous posts,they pushed me to continue trying to get some answers so................

I eventually managed to get an appointment to get my pacemaker checked, this happened tuesday and it appears my appointment has gone the way of many others that have posted on here but im looking for a bit of hope as i can feel myself getting more down to the verge of depression by...

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tiredness

I only had my PM installed yesterday but am emotional and washed out. I felt great before I went in and was looking forward to felling even better. Is this normal postop blues

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Best surgery to date

Hi All
Just a quick good news post. Just had my 4th PM surgery in 14 years and all has gone well. Have recovered much quicker than after last 3 which all had complications. It was such a relief to recover from surgery so quickly. Just have to sort out my Autoimmune issues and I'll be dangerous!

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Pre-op

Hi all,

Any pre-operation advices (defibrillator implant on Thursday)?

Gals, what kind of bra and clothes should I bring at the hospital?

Thanks!

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Return to work limbo, family medical leave act

Pacemaker installed almost 3 weeks ago. Seems there’s a liability issue between my employer and Dr. The Dr. says I can’t return to normal activities for 3 months and my employer isn’t convinced I’m ready to return to work based on the form my Dr. filled out called "Certification of Health Care Provider for Employee’s Serious Health Condition" under the Family and Medical Leave Act.

My supervisor is willing to put me on lighter duty but has...

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BP & HR

Hi ... am due into the hosp. this Wednesday, the 11th, for a PM.  wed. 11th for PM.

I took my BP tonight and it was 135/94 BUT my pulse was 135. I’ve never been aware of pulse before, just my BP, because that is where I have a problem.

Going to cardio tomorrow am to check my INR and possible get Lovenox Shot.

Thanx INGA and DON for your responses to my posting.

GER




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surgery

I was wondering if anyone has heard of having a pacemaker placed under the breast, not the breast muscle, but under the breast itself?

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Cello with a defibrillator

Hi,

Am I crazy or what? I'm getting my first defibrillator on January 12th and am not nervous about it. In fact, I can't wait to get that guardian angel.

My only concern is to know if the defibrillator will restrict my movements when I play cello.

Any cellist out here???

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Replaced...again

I had my first implant a couple of years ago and then around 6 moths later I had a lead extraction/replacement because it had retracted. Both of those times I spent a night in the hospital and was sent home on pain medicine. Today I had my pacemaker relocated and both leads extracted and replaced because neither one was working properly. This time I was sent home two hours after the surgery and with no medicine. I have taken ibuprofen but am having quite a bit of pain and can't get comfortable....

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PM surgery

Hi to all: Big day coming up on the 11th. Goingto have blood work today and Tues. will go to the cardio office for PT INR to see if I will need a 'belly shot' of Lovenox before surgery. The only thing I know is I will be wearing a sling for a week-- no driving for a few days and NO GOLF for a month. It,s going to be a Medtronic device with only one lead. I have Sick Sinus Syndrone. I fel great right now...... anyone out there in the same boat???? GER

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Further Advice 4 weeks post-op

Hi All,

Many thanks for advice given on my previous posting - unfortunately no improvement, if anything i feel even worse, although the pain has eased.

Main symptom being getting out of breath even with the slightest exertion - this is so much worse than before my bi-ventricular placement. I went to my gp as advised, they were 'good' and referred me up to a&e. Chest xray, bloods and ecg done - no problems with any of it, blood pressure high again (165/109). No check was don...

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You know you're wired when...

You run like the bionic man.

Member Quotes

One week has passed and I must admit that each day I feel a little stronger.