Most Recent Messages in Surgery & Recovery

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Ironman Triathlon

Hi All
Was looking for any on info on sport, in particular if anyone had ever completed the Ironman with a pacemaker. I am sure numerous people have and just wanted some advice when I found this site, which I think is a great idea.
In Short I have completed 2 Ironman triathlons before the dual lead medtronic was installed in Nov 08, and am dead keen to do one again. The cardioligist says I should, so I am looking for advice on doing it and also training with a heartrate monitor.

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Received my pacemaker 4/9

I am new to this board. I received a PM 4/9 last Thursday after experiencing a fainting spell at the casino. I thought maybe I was dehydrated and not well from having cocktails and not eating. When they keep me and ran tests because my heart rae was in the 30's I started to worry. The Dr suggested a PM I asked for some time on a monitor at home to make sure it wasnt a fluke thing or cause by diet pills. When I finally attached the monitor they were alerting me the next after noon to get to th...

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New pacemaker just put in on 4-6-09

Thank you for being there today as I have just begun my newlife with a pacemaker and have many questions that you all have been able to answer in a way that no one else can and also understand in that same way. I go back to see the doc. on monday and have already gone back to work. I have Sick Sinus Syndrom and they found that my sinoatrial node was weak . this is good news, because they found my heart to be strong. I have know about the slow pace of my heart for about 6 yrs. The doc said so...

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Officially a Pacer Chick 4/9/09

Hello friends,
I am 2 days post op and doing fine. My implant is a CRTD,
Medtronic Attain Starfix.

The surgery was scheduled for 1:30pm but they were running behind so by the time they took me back, got me prepped and the doctor came in, it was 4:30.

They told my family that I was hard to knock out :-) I definitely remember asking them questions to what they were talking about. I also felt the shock. Next thing I knew I was back in recovery.

I...

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12 hours til I'm wired :-)

I can't sleep tonight. I haven't slept well all week. In 12 hours, I will be getting my CRTD or ICD......not sure which is right. It will be a bi ven pacemaker with defib.

I appreciate all of the support from you all. I'm sure to have questions when I get back home. I'll post an update when I can.

Ciao for now,

Brendakt54

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Almost 100%

Hello, fellow partial-bionics!

my roommate loves to joke around that every time i go in for another surgery, the EP and the cardiac surgeon stand around and say things like 'we have the technology.' 'we can rebuild her!' and '...i'm giving her everything she's got, cap'n!' wait, that last one might be out of context...

ANYway. i just had to thank you so much for the good thoughts! i am 7 days since my pocket revision, and things are good. i'm almost back to 100% -- still no...

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No overnight stay after PM implant?

Hi, I'm new here. I've been reading a lot. I am having a PM implant Thursday, 4/9. The doctor said I would be monitored about 4 hours and then go home. I have read where most people stay at least one night. I am nervous about this and would prefer to have a nurse close by at least for one night. Insurance won't pay for it though.
Just wondering how long everyone else stayed.

Thanks,
Brendakt54

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Please share your PM recovery story

I am quite nervous waiting to get my PM on 4/9. They are sending me home the same day. Do I need someone to stay with me and if so, how long? I am usually the caregiver and not comfortable being waited on, but I do want to heal properly.

Can some of you please share your surgery & recovery story with me so I'll know what to expect? Details are appreciated, as are any tips or advice.

Thanks,

Brenda

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Ugly Scar Post PM Surgery

I had my third PM inserted on 19.3.09 and to my surprise I have the biggest lump just below my scar I think it is the lead sitting on top of the box. I am still quite bruised. Looking at my scar is making me feel very tearful and upset as it is "ugly". My chest now has 4 scars and this ugly lump that is about 1" long and the pacemaker box is extremely visible under my skin and shows through t-shirts. It is the worst of the 3. People I have shown are all quite shocked about how its looks,

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New To This All

Hello folks. I'm a 41-year old male from Milwaukee who had a Medtronic SEDR01 dual chamber pacemaker implanted last Thursday (March 26). This is all new to me. This is my first major medical experience, so in that respect I guess I'm lucky. The incision site so far appears clear of infection. I have some obvious pain associated with the surgical site and ice does the trick. What I have noticed is that when I move about somewhat beyond sedentary (ie. sitting on the couch), I feel a little bit of...

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OMG...the WRONG pacer!

Hi all! I went on March 27th for a new pacemaker finally after 11 years. I was so excited because the ones of today are so advanced over the ones 11 years ago... Well, my Dr. and I decided on a Medtronic, I did have a St. Jude "recalled" pacemaker so getting the Medtronic was exciting for me lol. Anyway, she was not doing surgery the day I was to get my new one so another Dr. did the surgery. Come to find out he put a Boston Scientific in instead of the Medtronic! I was livid to say the least. I...

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Blood loss

I have had two surgerys and three streiod injections since my PM implant, in all casas I was told to stop coumnidin for 5 days before. I cannot understand a Dr. not taking this precaution.

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another surgery :(

Well my Doctor finally believes me that my ICD is in my armpit and moves all over the place and has referred me to a plastic surgeon to have it repositioned under the muscle........My biggest question is why a plastic surgeon? I have not had my appointment with this Doctor yet and have many questions wondering if this is the right thing to do. I have had such bad luck with my ICD since day one and am not looking forward to another surgery!! :( *sigh*

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slow to heal

on January 21st this year i had a new device installed Bi-Ventricular ACD. it was installed where my past single lead device was installed. to date it still has not completely healed. i started with glue that did not work at all. then they stapled me up that fixed about 3/4 of the incision. then they added some stiches and that got it down to a single spot about a 1/4 in long right in the middle. for that they gave me 2 "matress" stitches and i am about a week out. as you can see it has bee...

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quick update

hi, all.
i know it's been forever - hope everyone's well.
my original implant was 2/26/08, and i've had nothing but fabulousness since! i'm able to work out more effectively (my duration is so insane, now, i LOVE it.) and have lost a whole bunch MORE weight since! getting me healthy has been such a task -- but we're almost there!
coming to you for good thoughts - i have to have a revision done, because of the weight loss. seems the pacer's pocket isn't deep enough anymore, since t...

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got out of the hospital on march 10th..!

hi everyone. sorry i am a bit late but i have been busy! feeling great! i got my defibrillator around 11:30 am on march 9th. i left the hospital around 3 pm march 10th. my husband got to stay with me at maine med so it was great (he and my family loved the cafeteria haha) i have been having at home nurses checking up on me once or twice a week to see how my incision is doing. everything is going great! my doc said the pace maker did it's job when he tested it, and the surgery took like an hour....

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Still feeling lightheaded

Got my PM 3 weeks ago today. I'm back to work for a week and a half now and am going to the gym doing a tread mill. Problem is I still feel borderline lighthededness some days on and off. Is this normal? I'm I sill adjusting ? I think the PM is set for 60 to at least 140. I usuallly feel this lightheadedness when not being very active. Thanks so much for the help.

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Husbands pacemaker..what to expect?

My husband is getting a pacemaker on Tuesday.
Can anyone tell me what to expect? I am a total nervous wreck just thinking about it. He is quiet, I know he is wondering about how this is all going to turn out too.

I'm trying not to worry, but I wish it was just done and over with.

anyone?

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3 days and counting

It will be this Friday that I have had my PM for six weeks. I am starting to give my left arm some needed exercise and light stretching. I stretched a little this morning and my left shoulder let me know it has not worked in a while. Has any others experienced shoulder pain when getting their left shoulder back into normal use? I am a golfer and will be starting to swing my clubs, albeit, slowly, next week and prior to that I thought it would be good to start slow and do some very gentle str...

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Is it normal?

I have had my PM now for 7 weeks. I was wondering if any of you have had your PM site feel sore to the touch at 7 weeks post surgery. Mine is sore (feels bruised but doesn't look bruised) when even the lightest pressure is on it. I suppose that might be normal during recovery, but it didn't feel that way to begin with.

Other than that, I am going for my first data dump on Monday.

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You know you're wired when...

You name your daughter “Synchronicity”.

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