Pacemaker Question

No it does not. Depending on your body build( subcutaneous fat). It will always protrude. ( mine is 3 years old)

Hello jer22
Good to hear from you. I hope your recovery has been going well and that you are feeling better.
I have had my device for over 2.5 years now. Being a woman, with a bit more "upholstery" in the upper regions, my implant is noticeable to both touch and vision. But just.
Mine is a sub-pectoral implant.
The EP "made" a pocket on the muscle and embedded it. He attached it with a stitch to the muscle so it wouldn't move. Touch wise, there is a slight rise under the skin where it is located. Visually , I have to turn slightly to see that slight rise in the mirror. I can't see (or feel) any sharp edges corners, or anything like that. (Unlike a friend of ours who is very thin. The sharp outline of his unit is very visible.)
In fact, mine is so hard to detect that when I put my seat belt on and add the pacemaker guard to the seat belt, I have to manually check just where the unit is exactly so as to position the guard correctly.
I suspect the scar and slight bump are mine forever. Such is life.
Best wishes on your continuing heart health journey.

The body is an integrated unit comprising muscle, bone, connective tissue, cavities, and organs filling the cavities. Oh yeah, there's the brain, too...I always forget mine.

The point is that due to our encapsulating skin, we're built sort of like a sausage....squeezed in between a layer that makes us take a shape. When we insert a thing, even a thin pacemaker, it will displace some tissue, AND....AND..it displaces or disrupts connective tissue. While you may get away without any puckering or whatever from displacing or disturbing connective tissue (and I wouldn't bet on it), inserting the pacemaker or ICD behind muscle must necessarily displace some of that muscle. If the muscle can't go sideways, or back toward the ribs (not likely, right?), and if the device is slid under/behind muscles on the side and front of the upper chest, it stands to reason that it will RAISE that tissue outward, toward the skin. And that is what we feel, and in certain angles of light, see.

Could be worse....I get lipomas every ten or fifteen years. Lumps of fat deposition, benign, that look unsightly. Very common, but I look goofy in a bathing suit.

Thanks

I've had my pacemaker for 5.5 years, implanted under the skin in the area between my left clavicle and breast, and it's barely noticeable. There's a barely perceptible bump, I'm not even sure anyone would notice it if they didn't know it was there. The scar has also faded to a barely perceptible thin white line. I can feel the pacemaker when I gently touch the area where I know it is.

I think there is always swelling over the area when the pacemaker is first implanted, but it gets better with time.

My husband has been completely paced for about 30 years. There is always a "bump". Wear it as a badge of courage and blessing.

@jer22
You are only at 6 weeks. You are going to have some swelling for quite some time so let time pass to see what long term will be.

I had my first AICD/Pacemaker implanted in 2006. I am on my 3rd device.

My EP implanted my device below my chest muscle. Why? He said because the amount of skin I had in chest area was not sufficient. He also said because I was so active chose to put below my chest muscle. Now this caused additional surgery and having it below the check muscle.

I was told it would take about 1 year for you to get used to device being in your body and also for body to encapsulate it. The amount of rise in your skin is specific to you. The amount of skin you have is you not me or someone else. The inflamation and swelling will go down.

I don't know mine is even there anymore unless I raise my left arm above my head and them my device reminds me "hay I am in here." Think positive as most all go through initial swelling and discomfort and goes away with time.

I have had one for almost 20 years now and gone through 3 surgeries.

I'm glad I found this topic re pacemakers. I had one implanted on August 31 and the swelling has just started to lessen. I also had pain for almost all of September - could not wear my seat belt in the car. I still have some pain (not 'bad' )but it is there if I lift too much, exercise too heavily) The pacemaker was done as an emergency so I was totally unprepared for it. When discharged from hospital I received very little information re what to expect and follow-up at home instructions!! After my first nite at home I had to go to the ER the next morning.
I was horrified when I saw the surgery site It was horribly black and blue around the whole area. I also did not expect the extent of pain for the next several days.
I have had multiple surgeries over the years and never had such a terrible time post-op. Thankfully, the pain has dissipated - I'm still aware of the unit but no longer worry like I did.

So sorry for the pain. My Pacemaker will be 8 yrs. In May & so far no problems. Try not to lift heavy items & do too strenuous exercise. It is raised & always has been. Will need replacing in a couple of years.

@mtnmarge
Reference the seat belt. You don't want in aggravating the site now or in future. What I did was to lower my seat belt control at top and put the belt below my arm pit not accross it. That keeps my seat belt below my pacemaker site.

You mentioned not getting much information on your device. That should not be accetable. You should have the name of your device. Contact them by phone or their website. They will have a ton of great information on your device, what to expect, what to do or not do, etc.

The emergency rooms are trying to get you out of there. Do you have a electrophysiologist working with you? If not do you have a cardilogist working with you. Those are who you can contact also and would highly suggest you have one on your ongoing medical treatments.

You are going to have some brusing and discomfort. Did they use stiches or glue to close your wound. Were you given any information on use of ice, etc. Tylenol or other medications?

I feel for you. But my experience with ICD/Pacemaker surgery (I have had 3) was done at Mayo Jacksonville by a work reknown EP with excellent pre care, day of surgeries, and follow ups calls at home and follow up visits. I do a pacemaker check at home every 3 months and then a in office visit.