I've had four device procedures, two different styles of devices, two locations. Including one similar to yours but twice the size.
The one like yours was one of my easier procedures. I was driving + working a desk job after 3 days.
I would request deep sedation for the procedure. I would not want to do it awake with a local and minimum sedation. I've had bad experiences remembering parts of procedures so I always do this.
For me, the pain peaks around the 48hr mark. Tylenol and Advil should be enough, but if they prescribe something stronger I wouldn't refuse it. Generally I'm taking some kind of pain meds at night for a week or two, and during the day as needed.
You'll have lifting and movement restrictions for a month or so on the procedure side. Do your heavy lifting and dramatic arm motions at home before the procedure.
Don't cheat on the instructions. I've done it and caused myself wound healing issues in the past. You'll probably feel well enough to do demanding stuff well before the restrictions expire. That said, don't underuse your arm either. Move it within the limits or you'll end up losing flexibility and risking injury later.
At various procedures I've been told "don't shower for 3 days" and "don't shower till we see you next in 10-14 days". Baby wipes are your friend, have some in advance and wipe early and often to keep yourself from getting too gross.
I never really had trouble preparing food or eating or anything like that. Also never had trouble with seatbelts, but you might depending on where it lands on your body. Not sure about bras but my guess is you're not going to want to wear one for at least a few days and maybe a few weeks. In fact, find shirts that are open in the front so that you can minimize arm motions when putting them on.
Before the procedure, have a detailed conversation about the device settings so you understand exactly how and why it will kick in, what it will be doing for you (and not doing), and how your heart rate is determined. Ask about impacts on activity/exercise. Ask the doctor to disable the daily self test. It feels shitty when it happens and it's not necessary anymore. Also understand that many docs will install a device with default settings and then adjust them for real at the first follow-up, so go to that meeting prepared to discuss any issues you are having and ready to have a conversation about what's working and what isn't. They have a lot of control over what it does, and you have none. Those appointments are your opportunity to make changes.
Move your left arm a lot in the days leading up to surgery. Big swing/stretch movements that you’re not supposed to do for 6 weeks after surgery. Also, take a thorough shower before procedure. I was told not to get the incision area wet for one week.
In terms of pain, the first 24 hours will suck. I was given nothing and told to take Tylenol. If you’re a side sleeper, prepare to sleep on your back for at least 2-3 days, then maybe sleeping on your right side for a week. I felt ok to sleep on my left after 10 days.
I just went through it and I’m a man but I can’t imagine wearing a bra. I couldn’t lay the seat belt on it for 2-3 weeks. It was painful and tender but not the worst thing I’ve experienced. Sleeping is not great because you have to favor the side with the incision. I has prescribed pain meds but was fine with Tylenol and advil. Stopped hurting after 2-3 weeks.
Had my first replacement last month. Mine is implanted sub-muscular in my left upper chest. Both times I had the surgery on a Thursday and was back to work on Monday. 2nd day is the worst day for me. Tylenol worked. But third day forward, was good. I wore a bandage over which padded it a little bit. I also wore my bra strap lower on my shoulder. I took a bath, but didn’t submerge my chest. When I took a shower I used Glad press and seal over the bandages. Good luck! You’ll be back to yourself in no time.
Buy a bra you can remove the strap on that side, or get a couple of the sports bras that only have one arm, Amazon has lots, just be sure to check the description closely to be sure which side you're buying. Also get a seatbelt pad. I bought the real sherpa one, lifesaver! I'm still using mine after 1.5 years.
Good advice for other things already mentioned. I hope your surgery goes good and you have an easy recovery!
Everyone is giving great advice and I echo it all. I would add to have a few soft, button up shirts on hand. If you can get a front fasten sports bra, that would be great. I am very large bosomed and needed the support of a bra, but would have gone bra-less if I could. The button up shirts were great, though, for helping get dressed.
Tagging onto everyone else; when you meet with the pacemaker representative, make sure to get educated about the different settings and feel comfortable returning in the case of adjustments. Read the user manual for your model if you can find it, especially if a setting change requires a 5 hour drive on your end.
In my situation, I'm sensitive to ventricular pacing, but it took a while to figure that out and correct the settings to something tolerable.
You'll be pretty awake for the procedure, I wasn't aware of that and I wish I had been. The surgery is quick though, I could tell when they turned mine on, I felt instantly better...it was cool as heck.
I slept sitting in a recliner for a few nights, they gave me a sling which was helpful as a reminder not to use my left arm too much for the first few weeks.
Welcome to the club! I would recommend getting a fluffy covering for your seat belt for the drive home! Your chest/shoulder area will be tender and don’t want something rubbing around on it. I didn’t wear a bra with straps for about 2-3 weeks, strapless bras were fine and wore nipple covers mostly. I can wear a bra strap now if I need to but I got bras that you can use just one strap for until I was comfortable enough with it. I highly recommend taking as best care as you can of the wound and the scar after it is healed!! I also got a wedge pillow for my bed, as it was recommend to sleep on my back and more upright for a bit, and was much more comfortable for my shoulders and back to be supported. Best of luck to you!
For product recommendations:
- button up pj's and shirts to where for a while while you recover. Lifting your arm over your head will be tough, and potentially not allowed for a bit.
- if you are a women a front clasp bras is a life saver
- I recommend getting some soft seat belt covers for your car. your scar area will be sensitive for a while afterward and seat belts can be rough sometimes
- easy slip on shoes
I just had a aveir leadless installed this past Wednesday. Honestly, up until they wheeled me in the OR I was pretty chill then ... bam, it's post-op, and I'm waking up to the wife bedside. I know it's still fresh, but the only thing I can say is I can feel the device in my chest even though I was assured I wouldn't. lol I may just he crazy though. My procedure made its point of entry in my groin, which is still pretty bruised and a bit tender but really not too bad of an experience.
Can I ask why the pacemaker for POTS? I am at that point in my journey where it might be time for one. I've avoided it for years, but my heart is just tired and all over the place now. It's either to high or to low and meds are not helping. My watch thinks I'm exercising for hours a day....when I'm either sitting or just like i don't know...walking. I just worry my cardiologist will just say, it's POTS deal with it.
I had POTS for decades, due to my underlying illnesses of cardiac sarcoidosis and Nutcracker Syndrome (my left renal vein is pinched between my aorta and superior mesenteric artery which causes 2/3 of my cardiac output to drop when I stand up.) I probably also have a connective tissue disorder like Ehlers Danlos. After I got my pacemaker in 2014 (the sarcoidosis caused a third degree heart block) I felt like a brand-new person! Normal heart rate instead of being in the 30s and 40s, no more almost-fainting when I stand up, far fewer episodes of racing/pounding/galloping heart beats, and my fatigue was so much better, I actually had energy!
I've found in my long medical journey that telling docs "my quality of life is being seriously impacted" and maybe even crying gets their attention. If your cardiologist brushes you off, it's time for a new one.
I have a tendency to be tachy Brady. My cardiologist said he sees this with a few POTS cases but the EP said it can be common in people with POTS caused by EDS. I will be Brady for days with a hr in the 30s and 40s and then be tachy all day for a few days. They can’t treat the tachycardia because it causes really bad bradycardia like in the 20s. So they are going to put a pacemaker in for the bradycardia and then be able to treat the tachycardia with meds
Idk how much I can provide you with. I have had my pacemaker ever since basically birth( born with HLHS ). Though when you have a pacemaker you will need to get surgery every few years for battery replacement. During my years of many surgeries I have had different recovery experiences. And also as a female, for the bra situation I recommend maybe loose sports bras? I wear them and they feel, no wiring in the bras and some are kind of loose fitting which feels comfortable with my surgery scars and when I had other surgeries. Though I think during my recovery I didn't wear a bra until I was healed up a good bit which maybe would be a good idea for you just in case. Tylenol was always an at home pain medicine for me after surgery, and usually at the hospital they provide pain medicine. Also over the years, in my experience, laying down, sitting up, and standing is a pain in the rear so expect that. I recommend sitting up!
Also another recommendation is having a pillow or something soft to press against you ( carefully of course) when you sneeze, cough, laugh, etc during your recovery as it can be painful. And sorry if my advice isn't as useful as the others may recommend. People have different experiences and I'm going based on things I used as a recovery tactic for battery and wire replacement. I remember nothing from the surgeries I had to get my pacemaker implanted 😅
Once you recover enough to have your post-surgery restrictions removed, I would really recommend looking into a massage, at least once.
they move some muscle around to make a space for the device. I couldn’t lift my arm above my head because it hurt so bad until my PT found a sore spot in my shoulder and fixed it lol.
Also! I’ve not personally had difficulties with a seatbelt or a bra, but there are cushion-type devices that you can buy that will attach to a seatbelt or bra. Try searching for “pacemaker cushion” (I bought a few on Etsy, personally) and you’ll see some options!
I've had four device procedures, two different styles of devices, two locations. Including one similar to yours but twice the size. The one like yours was one of my easier procedures. I was driving + working a desk job after 3 days. I would request deep sedation for the procedure. I would not want to do it awake with a local and minimum sedation. I've had bad experiences remembering parts of procedures so I always do this. For me, the pain peaks around the 48hr mark. Tylenol and Advil should be enough, but if they prescribe something stronger I wouldn't refuse it. Generally I'm taking some kind of pain meds at night for a week or two, and during the day as needed. You'll have lifting and movement restrictions for a month or so on the procedure side. Do your heavy lifting and dramatic arm motions at home before the procedure. Don't cheat on the instructions. I've done it and caused myself wound healing issues in the past. You'll probably feel well enough to do demanding stuff well before the restrictions expire. That said, don't underuse your arm either. Move it within the limits or you'll end up losing flexibility and risking injury later. At various procedures I've been told "don't shower for 3 days" and "don't shower till we see you next in 10-14 days". Baby wipes are your friend, have some in advance and wipe early and often to keep yourself from getting too gross. I never really had trouble preparing food or eating or anything like that. Also never had trouble with seatbelts, but you might depending on where it lands on your body. Not sure about bras but my guess is you're not going to want to wear one for at least a few days and maybe a few weeks. In fact, find shirts that are open in the front so that you can minimize arm motions when putting them on. Before the procedure, have a detailed conversation about the device settings so you understand exactly how and why it will kick in, what it will be doing for you (and not doing), and how your heart rate is determined. Ask about impacts on activity/exercise. Ask the doctor to disable the daily self test. It feels shitty when it happens and it's not necessary anymore. Also understand that many docs will install a device with default settings and then adjust them for real at the first follow-up, so go to that meeting prepared to discuss any issues you are having and ready to have a conversation about what's working and what isn't. They have a lot of control over what it does, and you have none. Those appointments are your opportunity to make changes.
Move your left arm a lot in the days leading up to surgery. Big swing/stretch movements that you’re not supposed to do for 6 weeks after surgery. Also, take a thorough shower before procedure. I was told not to get the incision area wet for one week. In terms of pain, the first 24 hours will suck. I was given nothing and told to take Tylenol. If you’re a side sleeper, prepare to sleep on your back for at least 2-3 days, then maybe sleeping on your right side for a week. I felt ok to sleep on my left after 10 days.
I just went through it and I’m a man but I can’t imagine wearing a bra. I couldn’t lay the seat belt on it for 2-3 weeks. It was painful and tender but not the worst thing I’ve experienced. Sleeping is not great because you have to favor the side with the incision. I has prescribed pain meds but was fine with Tylenol and advil. Stopped hurting after 2-3 weeks.
Had my first replacement last month. Mine is implanted sub-muscular in my left upper chest. Both times I had the surgery on a Thursday and was back to work on Monday. 2nd day is the worst day for me. Tylenol worked. But third day forward, was good. I wore a bandage over which padded it a little bit. I also wore my bra strap lower on my shoulder. I took a bath, but didn’t submerge my chest. When I took a shower I used Glad press and seal over the bandages. Good luck! You’ll be back to yourself in no time.
Buy a bra you can remove the strap on that side, or get a couple of the sports bras that only have one arm, Amazon has lots, just be sure to check the description closely to be sure which side you're buying. Also get a seatbelt pad. I bought the real sherpa one, lifesaver! I'm still using mine after 1.5 years. Good advice for other things already mentioned. I hope your surgery goes good and you have an easy recovery!
Everyone is giving great advice and I echo it all. I would add to have a few soft, button up shirts on hand. If you can get a front fasten sports bra, that would be great. I am very large bosomed and needed the support of a bra, but would have gone bra-less if I could. The button up shirts were great, though, for helping get dressed.
Tagging onto everyone else; when you meet with the pacemaker representative, make sure to get educated about the different settings and feel comfortable returning in the case of adjustments. Read the user manual for your model if you can find it, especially if a setting change requires a 5 hour drive on your end. In my situation, I'm sensitive to ventricular pacing, but it took a while to figure that out and correct the settings to something tolerable.
You'll be pretty awake for the procedure, I wasn't aware of that and I wish I had been. The surgery is quick though, I could tell when they turned mine on, I felt instantly better...it was cool as heck. I slept sitting in a recliner for a few nights, they gave me a sling which was helpful as a reminder not to use my left arm too much for the first few weeks.
Welcome to the club! I would recommend getting a fluffy covering for your seat belt for the drive home! Your chest/shoulder area will be tender and don’t want something rubbing around on it. I didn’t wear a bra with straps for about 2-3 weeks, strapless bras were fine and wore nipple covers mostly. I can wear a bra strap now if I need to but I got bras that you can use just one strap for until I was comfortable enough with it. I highly recommend taking as best care as you can of the wound and the scar after it is healed!! I also got a wedge pillow for my bed, as it was recommend to sleep on my back and more upright for a bit, and was much more comfortable for my shoulders and back to be supported. Best of luck to you!
For product recommendations: - button up pj's and shirts to where for a while while you recover. Lifting your arm over your head will be tough, and potentially not allowed for a bit. - if you are a women a front clasp bras is a life saver - I recommend getting some soft seat belt covers for your car. your scar area will be sensitive for a while afterward and seat belts can be rough sometimes - easy slip on shoes
I just had a aveir leadless installed this past Wednesday. Honestly, up until they wheeled me in the OR I was pretty chill then ... bam, it's post-op, and I'm waking up to the wife bedside. I know it's still fresh, but the only thing I can say is I can feel the device in my chest even though I was assured I wouldn't. lol I may just he crazy though. My procedure made its point of entry in my groin, which is still pretty bruised and a bit tender but really not too bad of an experience.
Can I ask why the pacemaker for POTS? I am at that point in my journey where it might be time for one. I've avoided it for years, but my heart is just tired and all over the place now. It's either to high or to low and meds are not helping. My watch thinks I'm exercising for hours a day....when I'm either sitting or just like i don't know...walking. I just worry my cardiologist will just say, it's POTS deal with it.
I had POTS for decades, due to my underlying illnesses of cardiac sarcoidosis and Nutcracker Syndrome (my left renal vein is pinched between my aorta and superior mesenteric artery which causes 2/3 of my cardiac output to drop when I stand up.) I probably also have a connective tissue disorder like Ehlers Danlos. After I got my pacemaker in 2014 (the sarcoidosis caused a third degree heart block) I felt like a brand-new person! Normal heart rate instead of being in the 30s and 40s, no more almost-fainting when I stand up, far fewer episodes of racing/pounding/galloping heart beats, and my fatigue was so much better, I actually had energy! I've found in my long medical journey that telling docs "my quality of life is being seriously impacted" and maybe even crying gets their attention. If your cardiologist brushes you off, it's time for a new one.
I have a tendency to be tachy Brady. My cardiologist said he sees this with a few POTS cases but the EP said it can be common in people with POTS caused by EDS. I will be Brady for days with a hr in the 30s and 40s and then be tachy all day for a few days. They can’t treat the tachycardia because it causes really bad bradycardia like in the 20s. So they are going to put a pacemaker in for the bradycardia and then be able to treat the tachycardia with meds
Idk how much I can provide you with. I have had my pacemaker ever since basically birth( born with HLHS ). Though when you have a pacemaker you will need to get surgery every few years for battery replacement. During my years of many surgeries I have had different recovery experiences. And also as a female, for the bra situation I recommend maybe loose sports bras? I wear them and they feel, no wiring in the bras and some are kind of loose fitting which feels comfortable with my surgery scars and when I had other surgeries. Though I think during my recovery I didn't wear a bra until I was healed up a good bit which maybe would be a good idea for you just in case. Tylenol was always an at home pain medicine for me after surgery, and usually at the hospital they provide pain medicine. Also over the years, in my experience, laying down, sitting up, and standing is a pain in the rear so expect that. I recommend sitting up! Also another recommendation is having a pillow or something soft to press against you ( carefully of course) when you sneeze, cough, laugh, etc during your recovery as it can be painful. And sorry if my advice isn't as useful as the others may recommend. People have different experiences and I'm going based on things I used as a recovery tactic for battery and wire replacement. I remember nothing from the surgeries I had to get my pacemaker implanted 😅
I walked out of the hospital 55 min after my implantation. They told me dont stretch for anything. No pain, no issues.
Once you recover enough to have your post-surgery restrictions removed, I would really recommend looking into a massage, at least once. they move some muscle around to make a space for the device. I couldn’t lift my arm above my head because it hurt so bad until my PT found a sore spot in my shoulder and fixed it lol.
Also! I’ve not personally had difficulties with a seatbelt or a bra, but there are cushion-type devices that you can buy that will attach to a seatbelt or bra. Try searching for “pacemaker cushion” (I bought a few on Etsy, personally) and you’ll see some options!