While this was no cake walk, I will have to admit that this procedure and the whole process have gone exactly as I was told they could. I was registered yesterday at 11:30 AM for surgery, and was released today at about 10:00 AM to go home.
Yes, the pre-admission testing was every bit as rigorous (and invasive) as the testing was for my valve replacement 5+ years ago. It included X-rays, CT scans, blood tests, echo, and an angiogram. Given what "could" happen in a lead extraction, they wanted to be totally sure to be ready for whatever they may need to do - up to and including opening my chest for additional open-heart surgery. Looking back, it was totally the right thing for them to do to ensure my greatest chance of survival in the worst case in the OR.
Well, as my case went, none of that was necessary. My EP came out 1 hour after I went into surgery to tell my wife that the lead came out "really easily, with just pulling on it." In other words, my lead somehow was not scarred into my vein or my heart, even 5 years after implant. Amazing.
I have no memory of the procedure after I was prepped. Complete and immediate "lights out." The next thing I knew I was in the CICU, already extubated. The first thing I did was to feel up and down my chest to see if they had to "open me up." No problem, only the expected bandages - and there were quite a few. I had entry wounds in both sides of my groin, as well as my left wrist, and of course, the implant site itself. The groin wounds have been fine since the moment I awoke. The radial artery access wound had a very tight compression band on it, and was rather uncomfortable. My entire left hand and wrist are still swollen, but they tell me it will dissipate over the next couple of days.
The next most painful wound site was the IV in my right arm. For some reason, that one was just uncomfortable until they took it out when I was released. The arm is still somewhat swollen and sore, but I expect that it, too, will gradually get back to normal.
They say that I may experience some bruising in the future, and I believe them, since I am just now seeing the bruise form from my cath on last Friday.
The new device is a bit larger than the old one, but it is rated for almost double the battery life of the old pacer - provided that I don't suffer another premature lead failure. They did not see any obvious cause for my lead's failure, but they said that in these cases they will send the lead back to the manufacturer for evaluation. I probably will not hear any farther about it, though.
I had a restless night last night - being up about every 2 hours to use the bathroom. This time that Foley catheter irritated my bladder - a first for me. Usually those things have been just in one minute and out the next, with no discomfort. This time not so, and I'm still a bit uncomfortable although it is getting better by the hour.
They interrogated my new device this morning, and the doc said "everything is perfect - just as we set it at implant. No adverse events noted. Good to go." I was released late in the morning and my wife and I even stopped for coffee and a sweet roll (called a "reward") on the way home. I've been just chilling here at home, napping to make up for last night's lost rest. I will be home for the next week, as I have a scheduled "wound check" visit with my EP doc next Wednesday AM, after which I expect to be released to drive a car and go back to work (part-time for the first couple of weeks, then full time). I will have motion restrictions and weight restrictions just like a new first-time pacemaker patient, for the first 6 weeks. This will be new to me, since the first time I had a pacer implant was while I was still recovering from valve surgery, so I wasn't too active yet.
At the moment, the worst discomfort I have is my left shoulder, which just HURTS. I did not ask for narcotic pain meds, as it is not THAT bad. I am using (trying) extra-strength Tylenol, at my doctor's suggestion. Hopefully this will lessen over then next few days.
So, all in all, I'm very pleased with how this has played out. Once all the swelling goes down and the pains subside, I should be ready to get back to my regular fitness activities after the 6-week restriction period. Yes, I'll miss most of summer at the gym, but I will have the rest of my life to make up for it. With all the testing and replacement parts, this actually feels like a second "do-over." Once I stop hurting so much, I'll be thrilled, I know.
Yes, the pre-admission testing was every bit as rigorous (and invasive) as the testing was for my valve replacement 5+ years ago. It included X-rays, CT scans, blood tests, echo, and an angiogram. Given what "could" happen in a lead extraction, they wanted to be totally sure to be ready for whatever they may need to do - up to and including opening my chest for additional open-heart surgery. Looking back, it was totally the right thing for them to do to ensure my greatest chance of survival in the worst case in the OR.
Well, as my case went, none of that was necessary. My EP came out 1 hour after I went into surgery to tell my wife that the lead came out "really easily, with just pulling on it." In other words, my lead somehow was not scarred into my vein or my heart, even 5 years after implant. Amazing.
I have no memory of the procedure after I was prepped. Complete and immediate "lights out." The next thing I knew I was in the CICU, already extubated. The first thing I did was to feel up and down my chest to see if they had to "open me up." No problem, only the expected bandages - and there were quite a few. I had entry wounds in both sides of my groin, as well as my left wrist, and of course, the implant site itself. The groin wounds have been fine since the moment I awoke. The radial artery access wound had a very tight compression band on it, and was rather uncomfortable. My entire left hand and wrist are still swollen, but they tell me it will dissipate over the next couple of days.
The next most painful wound site was the IV in my right arm. For some reason, that one was just uncomfortable until they took it out when I was released. The arm is still somewhat swollen and sore, but I expect that it, too, will gradually get back to normal.
They say that I may experience some bruising in the future, and I believe them, since I am just now seeing the bruise form from my cath on last Friday.
The new device is a bit larger than the old one, but it is rated for almost double the battery life of the old pacer - provided that I don't suffer another premature lead failure. They did not see any obvious cause for my lead's failure, but they said that in these cases they will send the lead back to the manufacturer for evaluation. I probably will not hear any farther about it, though.
I had a restless night last night - being up about every 2 hours to use the bathroom. This time that Foley catheter irritated my bladder - a first for me. Usually those things have been just in one minute and out the next, with no discomfort. This time not so, and I'm still a bit uncomfortable although it is getting better by the hour.
They interrogated my new device this morning, and the doc said "everything is perfect - just as we set it at implant. No adverse events noted. Good to go." I was released late in the morning and my wife and I even stopped for coffee and a sweet roll (called a "reward") on the way home. I've been just chilling here at home, napping to make up for last night's lost rest. I will be home for the next week, as I have a scheduled "wound check" visit with my EP doc next Wednesday AM, after which I expect to be released to drive a car and go back to work (part-time for the first couple of weeks, then full time). I will have motion restrictions and weight restrictions just like a new first-time pacemaker patient, for the first 6 weeks. This will be new to me, since the first time I had a pacer implant was while I was still recovering from valve surgery, so I wasn't too active yet.
At the moment, the worst discomfort I have is my left shoulder, which just HURTS. I did not ask for narcotic pain meds, as it is not THAT bad. I am using (trying) extra-strength Tylenol, at my doctor's suggestion. Hopefully this will lessen over then next few days.
So, all in all, I'm very pleased with how this has played out. Once all the swelling goes down and the pains subside, I should be ready to get back to my regular fitness activities after the 6-week restriction period. Yes, I'll miss most of summer at the gym, but I will have the rest of my life to make up for it. With all the testing and replacement parts, this actually feels like a second "do-over." Once I stop hurting so much, I'll be thrilled, I know.
