Most Recent Messages in Surgery & Recovery

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Left Arm/Shoulder Movement?

Hi Folks, I'm now 10 weeks since my pm implant and the swelling/bruising has now gone - neat scar healed well and no side effects! However I would like to know from you guys who have already had this experience - it seems that my arm will only go to certain positions until it won't move any further....it feels like it's restricted under my armpit and often stiff in morning inside my shoulder. I can move it more than I could, yet this is the only thing I have had trouble with. How have you co...

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shortness of breath

Hi I just got my pc 9/16/09 I had a/v block my pulse got down to 35-42 for about 3 weeks, I had weakness and shortness of breath. I thought after the surgery my shortness of breath would be gone, it is a whole lot better but I feel like I still have some SOB has this happened to any one?

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Need Help

Freaking out a little bit. Have a call into the dr but I thought I would try here while I was waiting for a call back. Basically before my pm was implanted last week, my symptoms were 4-5 second heart block that I would feel then a rapid heart beat on its way back. I am feeling "something" happening today. Today is the 1st time but it has me so rattled I am becoming unraveled. I think I am feeling the 4-5 seconds again but I am not 100% sure. I am feeling something...maybe palpitations but I tho...

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reveal cardiac loop monitor

Just got mine implanted today...asked the Dr to "hide" it and it's under my breast...all I can say is "ouch". It's ok as long as I don't move, or move, or laugh. I'm hoping that it gets better soon, and that this all works out. But seriously, I think you should see the discharge paperwork prior to signing consent forms. Like "no showering for 5 days" WHAT? they could totally have warned me about that. And perscriptions for antibiotics, can't they give you those before so that you could actually...

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Reddness above incision

It's been 5 weeks since my pm implant, and yesterday I woke up with a red patch above the incision. I saw the pacemaker nurse who didn't like the look of it and then was sent to see the surgeon who said that he was not convinced that it was an infection but said that giving me oral antibiotics would not help and that they would just have to see me on a weekly basis to montitor the situation, however if the incision opens or begins to puss then to call right away and they will have to remove the...

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New member... 41 and sporting bling!

Hello-
I am six days post-op with a pacemaker/defibrillator. As a 41 year old female with no health issues, this came as a huge shock and I am still coming to terms with everything. Due to erratic heartbeats, fatigue, low blood pressure and a crazy EKG which lead to an Echo, I was recently diagnosed with Cardio Myopathy. Having 'An acute risk of Sudden Death,' nobody would let me talk my way out of this procedure. But believe me, I tried!
They put it in under the chest muscle (through...

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New Pic

I posted a pick of my site. Can you guys take a look and tell me if you think it looks infected? Sorry if gross....

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Dr Today-what to expect

I am headed to the dr today for my one week post op. Can anyone tell me what to expect? Wondering if they will take the stiches out or at least uncover the bandage. I have yet to see the actual site....other than I can tell on my small frame that IT'S HUGE!

Wondering if I might get the ok to drive...wondering if I might get the ok to go back to work part time.

Any thoughts?
Thanks

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Need some Prayers

So I just got back from the dr and I need your prayers. I am shocked, stunned, upset, empty...blah blah blah. Turns out that my bandage should have been removed a week ago. No one took it off a week ago or told me that! When they took it off today, they said the site looked good but they didn't like the little bit of "oozing" that came out. They cultured it to see if it is infected. Seems I should have left the hospital on an antibiotic as well. No one gave me one so haven't been on one! My mou...

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Finally No Stitches

Hi Everyone,
I am post implant 4 weeks today. I went to see my cardiologist and he finally removed the last two stitches. I mentioned to him that I have experienced a few svt and two incidents of a slight head lightness. He asked if I had fainted or passed out, but I told him that the few incidents I've had have only lasted less than a minute. I see the Medtronic tech on Oct 2nd and doctor said that it will be adjusted after that. I will say that I feel pretty good. I have been release...

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Angelie

I hope you know how many of us are thinking about you this morning. Many of us have gone through this and are doing so much better because of it. I am praying for fair skies for you.

I have put in an order for sunshine and calm weather the weekend we are all going to be in Tampa. You'll be able to rest and heal in the warmth of your friends and the sun. My goodness I hope you can make it Tampa. What a great place to recuperate!

Blessings to you,
Pacergirl

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Biventricular pacemaker

I've just had my pacemaker upgraded to a biventricular model - as recently as 12th September 2009. Two days after I was a bit disappointed to still have the same symptons - light headed feeling, no energy etc. Were my expectations too high? At the hospital the medical staff said it could take anything from a few days to a few weeks for the heart to adjust to the new pacemaker.
I would be glad to hear from others about their experiences
DHSJ

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Starting to feel a little better

I got my ICD put in this past june, and I went to see my cardiolgist for my check up and yo have another echo/stress test. Well all is good. B4 they put this in my EF was 15 and now in about 2months it is now 35. I'm feeling alittle better, even started to walk on the treadmill and lift some weights. I'm excited to know where I will be in 6 more months. This has been a hard year for me, two open heart surgeries and I almost died twice. This was a GOD send. I just would like to know how long did...

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Laying on your Pacer Side?

I am 11 weeks post implant and recently I noticed when I lay on my left side I get some weird feelings like my pacer is doing something and my HR is kicking up but if I roll over onto my back, right side or stomach they go away. I am not set up for any kind or rate response or to be paced based upon any type of movement or such but this has begun to happen more consistently and has even woken me up. Was wondering if anyone else has had this type of issue. It isn't bad enough for me to make a...

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edema after procedure

My husband had a pacemaker procedure done 4 days ago..His general health seems to have improved except for the edema..We weigh every morning and he has not lost any of the edema..He is on lasix but I thought with the heart pumping efficiently the edema would improve..any thoughts..I have been awake all night worrying about him.

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Do you feel like you got the flu?

I was just curious if anyone else wakes up feeling like they got the flu? This has been happening to me about every week or two for some reason. I did have a mild infection in my pouch a few weeks back but had taken antibiotics to clear it up, but I still have mornings when I feel like I have the flu, then it will clears up in a few hours, then I just kinda feel like crap for most of the day. Most other days I feel great though. Is this pretty common 2 months after surgery?

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What to expect

I thought my experience was like riding a roller coaster until I read some of your stories. Anyway on the 25th of July I had a loop recorder inserted after a failure at attempting an ablation. I had the loop 2 weeks when they decided I need a pacemaker like right now. I got a medtronics pacer with two leads on August 12. Seven days later I had to have the leads replaced because they had discharged from position. On th 19th of Aug. I had pacemaker surgery for the second time. I am at home...

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bruised from elec shock?

My dad just got his 2nd pacemaker. It was supposed to be a regular, maybe outpatient procedure. My mom was told they wanted to keep him overnight for observation--no big deal.
Upon his arrival at home, my mom noticed he had a massive bandage on his chest and was covered from head to toe with bruises. Even his lower lip was purple. During my dad's stay
the hospital, a nurse told him that his heart had stopped during surgery and they had to give him electric shock to start it back u...

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chest/arm pain

I read a few other posts. I had the replacement surgery a week ago - felt great at first. The last 3 nights I have felt the area - it feels hot. Also, my chest hurts and it radiates down my arm. I know it's not a heart attack - I'm not dead. I think some of it is fear making it worse. I feel skipping once in a while - maybe 3 quick beats - but basically the heart rate is 60 as set. I will call the doctor today. Could this be normal healing?
Thanks.
Ellen

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is this weird?

Hi,
So I have a question. After an EP study or catheter ablation, is it weird/unusual for a few days later for your 'insides' to be almost sore? Like my chest feels swollen from the inside almost like there is pressure on the left side of my rib cage.
It feels weird, but I don't know if it's something that I need to worry about.
thanks.

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