Most Recent Messages in Surgery & Recovery

Post surgical pain

HI,
I'm due to have a pacemaker installed Tues. All this has happened very suddenly--only 5 days ago I wore a monitor that said my heart was "pausing" periodically for as long as nearly 10 seconds. Other than this, I'm in good overall health.

My question is about post surgical pain. My cardiologist (not Mr. Warmth, but reputed to be excellent) says most people don't have much pain in the hospital after the procedure. I don't see how that's possible, considering the incision a...

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Heading toward panic

Hi again,
There's so much helpful information on this site, but the more I read here and elsewhere, the more terrified I get (I'm scheduled to get a pacemaker on Tues.). There are so many horror stories, so many heartbreaking situations. The greatest advantage I see is that most people have more energy after the implant, but I have plenty of energy now; that's never been a problem. Is it true that a car seat belt causes most people discomfort? That you can't take a shower for a week aft...

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Post recovery time

Hello All,

I had my defibulator implanted on June 22, 2010 and the Dr said I can go back to work. Just wanted to know what was the average post operation recovery time. My left arm is still a bit sore from the operation and have the normal symtoms based on what I have read on the forum.

I work in management and n a pressured environment and wondering if it's too soon. I feel like I'm back to normal but don't really know what is normal when you have ICD, once in a while fe...

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Post-Op Arm/Shoulder Pain Help.

It has been almost 3 weeks since my PM implant. The PM itself is functioning and I am feeling great from the PM doing it's job. My problem is with my left arm - it is excruciatingly painful. I have done a few things that may have precipitated this - accidentally reaching above my head, receiving a giant bear hug that hurt and walked the dog who jolted my arm while chasing a squirrel. I called the device clinic and they said that it could be scar tissue that was dislodged, and that may take t...

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Can't take the feeling

Hey all,
It's been about a week and a half since my implant, and I'm now just getting so agitated by the feeling of the PM up against my skin. Even though I'm keeping my arm movements below my shoulder I still a feel the PM sitting against the chest muscle when I move my arm. Do you get used to this after a while, or do your arm movements always remind you that you you have a PM? I want to sleep on my stomach so bad sometimes but it just irritates me more.

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Comments please

SorrHi I am awaiting Hip replacement. I am completly relient on my pacemaker. I was always told could not have an anaesthetic. but now having had to return to hospital as my hip is getting so bad. they say they will possibly give me a full anaesthetic. as with an epidural of spinal. they will possibly not be able to see if my blood pressure falls/rises. because he rhythm is pre set iat one pace, however I feel lucky as they are going to have the consultant aneathitist and orthopedic consult...

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ep study and ablation

Hello My name is Jessica and Im 25yrs old who lives in WNY. Im having an ep study and ablation done in july. If anyone has had this done before, what should I expect during the procedure? What are the side effects after having this done? How long did it take to heal? Is it uncommon for me to be dealing with this at my age? If anyone has anything they would like to comment on this, please respond thank you :o)

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Liquid stitches

Hi i'm a new PM recipient as of last week and I'm so glad to have found this group and the great discussions on this site. I was curious to know if anyone has ever had their incision closed with liquid stitches before? My incision seems to be healing ok with it, but I'm getting some spotting or seeping that I notice by the end of the day. I guess I'm trying to understand what's normal and how long before this stuff comes off.

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I'm in pain!

Here I am in the middle of the night on day 2 after my pacemaker surgery. Am I just about the only one who suffered significant pain during the surgery and after? My cardiologist told me he was going to give me Fentanyl and Valium during th surgery. He agreed to give me these two medications. I wondered why I was wide awake and feeling every cut and suture. I winced and made sounds when it was too much to bear. The nurse responsible for administering the medications during the procedure was...

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Excercise

Since my replacement on Monday, I've hung out with the fam and done plenty of walking...went to the zoo, shopping, etc. But everyday when I get home I've been exhausted and took a nap. I've yet to do anything to really get this baby going. How long did it take some of you to really get after it and not be tired. I do live in Texas so the heat could be a contributing factor to me tiring out. I was thinking about hitting the gym and getting on the treadmill tomorrow. A little nervous about b...

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Sideways?

HAd my PM replaced Monday...took the bnadages off yesterday and judging by the bulge, I think my Doc might have put it in sideways...meaning flipped 90 degrees. Anyone elses implanted that way? I guess I will find out for sure at my 2 week follow up. If he did, I'm sure there was a reason. Maybe to give the leads a bit more slack? Anyways, had it done at the Texas Heart Institute so I know these guys know what they're doing. Weird.

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Post surgery blues

Maybe I am just being paranoid, but I have lived with a pacemaker for 28 years now (am 31), am pacemaker dependent, and just got my new Medtronic Adapta ADDRL1 on Monday, have had the same leads for 16 years now...never really gave anything a second thought until I googled medtronic and read all the horror stories of PM glitches. For the 1st time in 28 years I kind've gotten nervous even paranoid with every flutter or slight pain (remember just had surgery Monday, still recovering). Damn the i...

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Just had 1st PM implanted on 6/7/10

Hello, I am new to this website and have found lots of answers and information already within just 10 days of having a pacemaker implanted. I have been off of work for 2 weeks and am able to go back with restrictions starting monday. I sleep with a mobilizer to keep me from putting my arm near my head while sleeping. I am nervous about the restrictions I will have the rest of my life, since some of those restrictions will be a problem with the jobs I perform but my main question is this....

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Feeling faint

Hi Everyone,
I just had a pacemaker installed last Wednesday 6/9. Everything went fine and I have a Dr visit set for next Thursday. My question is, I still feel a little faint when I get up from a chair or lift my head up. Is this normal? Is this because my heart has to catch up to my head? Obviously, this is all new to me and I'd like to know if this is something I should be concerned about and should I contact my Dr.
Thanks,
Danny

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Pacemaker replaced today!

First time getting my PM replaced and NOT being put to sleep. Didn't get nervous til they started wheeling me down to surgery. Then got VERY nervous, but the sedatives were great...just made me pretty sleepy and the surgery zipped by. Only awkward thing was since I am pacemaker dependent, they inserted a pacing wire through my groin and all the way up into my heart to pace me while they changed the device. As the wire went through my stomach area and into my heart it felt very weird. I was...

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new pacemaker and two leads

so it's been 3 week since my PM implant and I am really feeling great for the most part. My incision feels and looks good. . at night still having discomfort but i am taking day by day

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Stitches

When I had my PM implanted 3 weeks they put in stitches does anyone know how long they take to disolve just wondering because the doctor never told me and im not due to see them for about 4 weeks. Never having stitches before I have know clue.
Mel

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Surgery today!

Hi all,

I will be checking in at noon today, Austin, TX time, for my fifth ablation. After meeting with the EP a few days ago he knows I want him to be as aggressive as possible and that will likely lead to a pacemaker. He does not want to put it in today for some reason, he wants to wait until tomorrow. He was not too keen on the idea of a pacer and is hoping that just the ablation will help... but I think we all know the pacer is inevitable.

I have not been on here that...

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Weirded out/Nervous

I have had a pacemaker for 28 years (I am 31 yrs. old) however, this Monday will be my first replacement surgery in which I am not being put to sleep. I would love to hear experiences from those who have experienced this procedure. I am pacemaker dependent, so how do they pace your heart when your device is out of your body? do you feel your heart rate change? i hear they sometimes put you into cardiac arrest to test your device, this true? Anyways, just a device change, no leads, but weirde...

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Hi all

so it's been 1 week since my PM implant and I am really feeling great for the most part. My incision feels and looks good. I was having some pain in my upper chest opposite my incision when I would take deep breathes or while walking around. when I called the doc, they wanted me to head up to the pacer clinic at Loyola for a check. so that's what we did yesterday. Had the pacer checked, they even gave me a print out, although I have no idea what any of that means LOL it does, however, look good...

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